1932 Auburn 12-160A Speedster

This 12-cylinder Auburn 'boattail' Speedster is finished in a two-tone color scheme with Art Deco detailing. Harold A. Smith 'Smitty' of Westlake, Ohio assembled this particular Twelve speedster (according to a 1968 Cleveland Plain Dealer article) using a frame he discovered in Pennsylvania, a motor located in Greenfield, Mass., a body found in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and parts sourced from within the United States. While many of these cars wear reproduction bodies, it is believed that the body on this Auburn is authentic. The restoration (assembly) was done over a five-year period. Custom level trim was fitted, including chrome wire wheels, chromed headlights and driving lights, and Auburn's Flying Man mascot.

This Auburn Twelve was advertised for sale in the May 1968 ACD Newsletter where it was described as having '600 miles since restoration.' It was later featured in a 1969 Timken advertisement printed in Business Week magazine.

Don Screes of Indiana acquired the Auburn in 1971 at the first Kirk F. White auction. Mr. Screes exhibited it in CCCA judging, earning Senior badge number 533, and would own the car for many years. In 1994 it was sold to Jim Steichen who later sold it to Frank Kleptz of Terre Haute, Indiana. David Kane of Bernardsville, New Jersey purchased the speedster from Mr. Kleptz in 2002, and began a full restoration at Stone Barn of Vienna, New Jersey which was completed under the ownership of Ray Scherr. Mr. Kane would later re-purchase the car from the estate of John O'Quinn.

In 2014, the Auburn earned a 99.5 and a perfect 100-point scores in CCA judging, elevating it to Premier status. It then received an Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Senior First Place Primary award along with the People's Choice Award at the Lehigh Valley ACD meet in May of that year.

Mr. Kane sold the car to its current caretaker, who consigned it to RM Sotheby's auction at Amelia Island in 2023.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023

The stunning Auburn 12 Speedster was produced from 1932 to 1934. Often referred to as a 'boattail' for its superbly fluid lines, the Speedster was created by celebrated designer Alan Leamy. These cars featured the impressive V12 Lycoming engine, displacing 392 cubic inches and developing 160 horsepower - which was much appreciated by top racers of the day, such as the Collier Brothers, who raced their 'Beelzebub' in various Automobile Club of American events. The Speedster was a limited edition built for aerodynamic efficiency and power with several innovative features, including hydraulic brakes, Columbia two-speed differential, three-speed synchromesh transmission with free-wheeling, adjustable shocks, knock-off wheels, and automatic chassis lubrication. In 1932, a 12-cylinder Speedster set a speed record of 115 mph at Indianapolis, outperforming the top speed of the winning car at the Indy 500 that year.