1932 Auburn 8-100 Speedster

When Auburn introduced its 8-115 Speedster, they gave it a price tag of $2,000. In comparison to the Stutz of similar proportions, the Auburn cost about $3,000 less. Even at a lower cost, it still had plenty of performance; Wade Morton drove on at 108.46 mph through the measured mile at Daytona. He averaged 84.7 mph for 24 hours and covered a total of 2,033 miles at Atlantic City, and set a new record at Pikes Peak.

The Auburn Speedster had it all - style, performance, durability, and reliability. In 1932, in the heart of the Great Depression, the cars were offered with a V12 engine and priced at less than $1,000. The Lycoming V12 45-degree V12 engine had dual downdraft carburetors, dual exhausts, and rectangular combustion chambers with valves entering through the inborad side of the cylinder heads.

This 1932 Auburn V12 Boattail Speedster is currently fitted with a twelve-cylinder 392 cubic-inch engine, a three-speed gearbox with freewheeling, and a 2-speed Columbia rear axle. The engine may have been fitted to the car later in its life.

In 2006 it was treated to a professional restoration by Stone Barn, Inc and has not yet been shown on the concours circuit. In 2007 it was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California, where it was estimated to sell for $500,000 - $600,000. Those estimates proved too high as the lot was sold for $440,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008