Auburn 12-One Sixty One
1933 Auburn Model 12-161
Produced: 5,038
Original Price: $1,100 - $1,350
Average Auction Sale: $320,547
Median Auction Sale: $220,000
Chassis Profiles
Produced: 5,038
Original Price: $1,100 - $1,350
Average Auction Sale: $320,547
Median Auction Sale: $220,000
Chassis Profiles
1932 Auburn 12-160A
Produced: 11,145
Original Price: $1,105 - $1,295
Average Auction Sale: $317,429
Median Auction Sale: $272,250
Chassis Profiles
Produced: 11,145
Original Price: $1,105 - $1,295
Average Auction Sale: $317,429
Median Auction Sale: $272,250
Chassis Profiles
1932 Auburn 12-160
Produced: 11,145
Original Price: $975 - $1,275
Average Auction Sale: $379,375
Median Auction Sale: $404,250
Chassis Profiles
Produced: 11,145
Original Price: $975 - $1,275
Average Auction Sale: $379,375
Median Auction Sale: $404,250
Chassis Profiles
Total Production: 1,261
Auburn
Related Articles and History
At the tender age of fifteen, Errett Lobban Cord, commonly known as E.L. Cord, left school in pursuit of a job as a car salesman. After a successful stint in that profession, he began working as a mechanic in a service station located in Los Angeles. This led to modifying his Model T's to include bodywork and engine modifications. He later moved to Chicago, where he went back to selling vehicles. He moved to Milwaukee, where he opened his own car distributor company and by 1924, was looking to purchase his own manufacturing company.
When the Auburn Automobile Company prompted Cord with a top-level management position, he accepted but under conditions. He demanded that he be given 20% of the profits and complete control of the company. He also stated that he wanted the option to buy the company once it recovered. The partners, at this point, were on the verge of bankruptcy, so they accepted the offer.
Cord had a profound knowledge of marketing and was very business savvy. During his career, he purchased Duesenberg, cab companies, Aircraft Company, and a New York shipyard. By 1932 he purchased controlling interests in the Aviation Corp, which later became American Airways and is currently known as American Airlines.
His fortunes turned during the mid-1930's as the stock market crashed, and the Great Depression brought many of his businesses to a bitter end.
The Auburn Company had turned a considerable profit during the 1920s, but keeping up with the changing market was difficult. The cylinder wars of the early 1930s sent many companies struggling to keep up with the changing technology and mechanical advancements. Auburn answered this challenge in 1932 with the creation of their twelve-cylinder engine in 'Vee' configuration. To stimulate even more interest, the 12-160A was offered at an incredibly low price, at just under a thousand dollars. At that price, it has remained in history as the lowest 12-cylinder vehicle ever produced. Many people feared that the quality of the engine or the vehicle was reflective of the price. This mindset backfired and as a result, did not sell as well as intended. By year's end, the company had lost more than a million dollars.
The 6.5-liter Lycoming engine produced a respectable 160 horsepower and enough torque to propel the vehicle to around 100 mph. One of the most ingenious components of the vehicle was the 'Dual Ratio' differential which was operated by a dashboard lever. There were high and low ratios available for each of the three gears, which improved fuel and oil consumption. The end result was less strain and wear-and-tare on the engine.
Cord had encountered problems with the Securities and Exchange Commission and fled to England in 1933. Harold Ames was left in control, though times were difficult since production had fallen nearly 85%. The 12-161A was introduced in 1933 though never achieved the desired success. The Great Depression, a struggling economy, and near-bankrupt companies were part of the problems.
The Auburn 12-160A Speedster body was the most exclusive of the offering. With their low price tag, the vehicles were a bargain. Tough times and consumer fears were its ultimate demise, and its potential was never realized.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2009
When the Auburn Automobile Company prompted Cord with a top-level management position, he accepted but under conditions. He demanded that he be given 20% of the profits and complete control of the company. He also stated that he wanted the option to buy the company once it recovered. The partners, at this point, were on the verge of bankruptcy, so they accepted the offer.
Cord had a profound knowledge of marketing and was very business savvy. During his career, he purchased Duesenberg, cab companies, Aircraft Company, and a New York shipyard. By 1932 he purchased controlling interests in the Aviation Corp, which later became American Airways and is currently known as American Airlines.
His fortunes turned during the mid-1930's as the stock market crashed, and the Great Depression brought many of his businesses to a bitter end.
The Auburn Company had turned a considerable profit during the 1920s, but keeping up with the changing market was difficult. The cylinder wars of the early 1930s sent many companies struggling to keep up with the changing technology and mechanical advancements. Auburn answered this challenge in 1932 with the creation of their twelve-cylinder engine in 'Vee' configuration. To stimulate even more interest, the 12-160A was offered at an incredibly low price, at just under a thousand dollars. At that price, it has remained in history as the lowest 12-cylinder vehicle ever produced. Many people feared that the quality of the engine or the vehicle was reflective of the price. This mindset backfired and as a result, did not sell as well as intended. By year's end, the company had lost more than a million dollars.
The 6.5-liter Lycoming engine produced a respectable 160 horsepower and enough torque to propel the vehicle to around 100 mph. One of the most ingenious components of the vehicle was the 'Dual Ratio' differential which was operated by a dashboard lever. There were high and low ratios available for each of the three gears, which improved fuel and oil consumption. The end result was less strain and wear-and-tare on the engine.
Cord had encountered problems with the Securities and Exchange Commission and fled to England in 1933. Harold Ames was left in control, though times were difficult since production had fallen nearly 85%. The 12-161A was introduced in 1933 though never achieved the desired success. The Great Depression, a struggling economy, and near-bankrupt companies were part of the problems.
The Auburn 12-160A Speedster body was the most exclusive of the offering. With their low price tag, the vehicles were a bargain. Tough times and consumer fears were its ultimate demise, and its potential was never realized.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2009
An exceptional value for their day, the Auburn was the least expensive marque in the Cord Empire that also comprised Duesenberg. Priced at $1,250, the Auburn was a spectacular value for a twelve-cylinder automobile. From 1927 to 1938 the Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg Company manufactured hand-built custom vehicles of the highest quality in Auburn Indiana. Rated at 160 horsepower, the 1932 Auburn 12-160A featured a twelve-cylindered Lycoming engine. The car weighed 4,165 lbs and had a wheelbase measured at 132 inches.
From 1900 through 1937 Auburn was a brand name of United States automobiles. The Auburn Company was grown out of the Eckhard Carriage Company which was started by Charles Eckhart. On an experimental basis, Eckhart's sons, Morris and Frank began building vehicles before entering the business in earnest. In 1909 they moved into a larger plant. Modestly successful, the company did well until World War I forced the plant to close due to material shortages.
A touring car model, the 1904 Auburn was equipped with a tonneau that could seat 2 or 4 passengers. The touring was priced at $1000. Producing 10 hp (7.5 kW) the flat-mounted single-cylinder engine was placed in the center of the vehicle. Weighing 1500 lbs, the angle-steel-framed vehicle used half-elliptical spring and was fitted with a 2-speed planetary transmission.
The Eckhart brothers sold their company to a group out of Chicago investors in 1919 headed by Ralph Austin Bard. Though the business was revived, the new owners failed to produce the profits that they had hoped for. The new owners approached Errett Cord in 1924, a successful automobile salesman, with an offer to run the company. In an offer that amounted to a leveraged buyout, the Chicago group accepted the offer.
Before the end of 1925 Cord completed his buyout and aggressively marketed the company's unsold inventory. In 1926, Cord partnered with Duesenberg Corporation and used it as the launching platform for a line of high-priced luxury cars. Cord built vehicles that became famous both their advanced engineering and their striking experience. He also employed imaginative designers such as Gordon Buehrig and Alan Leamy.
Unfortunately Cord's vehicles were priced too expensively for the Depression-era market and Cord's stock manipulation eventually forced him to give up control of his car companies. Cord was forced to refrain from further violations by injunctions from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He sold his shares from his automobile holding company and in 1937 all production of Auburns, Duesenbergs and Cords ended.
The Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum is now housed in the company's art deco headquarters in Auburn and was made a National Historic Landmark in 2005.
The last few cars that made the Auburn Company famous before it the factory was shut down were the 851 and 852 Speedsters, and the Aubern 12.
The Auburn Twelve was produced in the early 1930's and was designed with innovation, elegance, power, style and speed. The Auburn Model 12 – 165 was introduced in 1933. The 1931 Auburn came with a 127 inch wheelbase, 98HP straight 8, and a long large roomy car that came with a door so wide that rear seat passengers could enter without disturbing those in front. The price was $945. The 1934 Auburn 12 Cabriolet came with a 12-cylinder engine and had wide whitewall tires and wire wheels. The 1934 model also came with an auxillary trunk that was mounted on the back.By Jessica Donaldson
From 1900 through 1937 Auburn was a brand name of United States automobiles. The Auburn Company was grown out of the Eckhard Carriage Company which was started by Charles Eckhart. On an experimental basis, Eckhart's sons, Morris and Frank began building vehicles before entering the business in earnest. In 1909 they moved into a larger plant. Modestly successful, the company did well until World War I forced the plant to close due to material shortages.
A touring car model, the 1904 Auburn was equipped with a tonneau that could seat 2 or 4 passengers. The touring was priced at $1000. Producing 10 hp (7.5 kW) the flat-mounted single-cylinder engine was placed in the center of the vehicle. Weighing 1500 lbs, the angle-steel-framed vehicle used half-elliptical spring and was fitted with a 2-speed planetary transmission.
The Eckhart brothers sold their company to a group out of Chicago investors in 1919 headed by Ralph Austin Bard. Though the business was revived, the new owners failed to produce the profits that they had hoped for. The new owners approached Errett Cord in 1924, a successful automobile salesman, with an offer to run the company. In an offer that amounted to a leveraged buyout, the Chicago group accepted the offer.
Before the end of 1925 Cord completed his buyout and aggressively marketed the company's unsold inventory. In 1926, Cord partnered with Duesenberg Corporation and used it as the launching platform for a line of high-priced luxury cars. Cord built vehicles that became famous both their advanced engineering and their striking experience. He also employed imaginative designers such as Gordon Buehrig and Alan Leamy.
Unfortunately Cord's vehicles were priced too expensively for the Depression-era market and Cord's stock manipulation eventually forced him to give up control of his car companies. Cord was forced to refrain from further violations by injunctions from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He sold his shares from his automobile holding company and in 1937 all production of Auburns, Duesenbergs and Cords ended.
The Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum is now housed in the company's art deco headquarters in Auburn and was made a National Historic Landmark in 2005.
The last few cars that made the Auburn Company famous before it the factory was shut down were the 851 and 852 Speedsters, and the Aubern 12.
The Auburn Twelve was produced in the early 1930's and was designed with innovation, elegance, power, style and speed. The Auburn Model 12 – 165 was introduced in 1933. The 1931 Auburn came with a 127 inch wheelbase, 98HP straight 8, and a long large roomy car that came with a door so wide that rear seat passengers could enter without disturbing those in front. The price was $945. The 1934 Auburn 12 Cabriolet came with a 12-cylinder engine and had wide whitewall tires and wire wheels. The 1934 model also came with an auxillary trunk that was mounted on the back.By Jessica Donaldson
Auburn Models