1909 Auburn Model G

Before the existence of the Auburn Automobile Company, it began as the Eckhart Carriage Company of Auburn, Indiana, founded in 1874 by Charles Eckhart (1841 - 1915). Experimentations and testing of the horseless carriage by his two sons, Frank and Morris, eventually led to automobile production and the formation of the Auburn Automobile Company in 1903. Initially, their automobiles were powered by flat-mounted single-cylinder engines capable of producing ten horsepower. Paired with a two-speed planetary transmission, power was sent to the rear wheels. The steel frame was suspended via half-elliptic springs, and the total weight of the vehicles was about 1,500 pounds. A touring model was added in 1904, and a year later, the cars were offered with two-cylinder engines.

The automobiles they produced gained a loyal following, and as production increased and after absorbing two other local carmakers, the company moved into larger facilities in 1909. The company's advertising slogan for 1908 proclaimed the Auburn automobile as 'The Most for the Money,'. Priced at twice the average American worker's annual income, the 1908 Auburn wore a new hood profile and body moulding, rested on a 100-inch wheelbase, and its 215.5 cubic-inch, horizontally-opposed two-cylinder engine produced 24 horsepower. Single and twin engines were used exclusively until 1909, when the first of the fours were introduced, and they would become the foundation for the new models going forward. An inline six-cylinder was introduced in 1913, and it became the sole powerplant by 1917.

New ownership of the Auburn Company in 1919 ushered in few changes but the acquisition of the company by E.L. Cord in 1924 heralded real changes. The following year, Lycoming straight eight engines were added and the company would then go on to produce its Boattail Speedster until Cord's empire imploded in 1936.

The 1909 Auburn Model G

The 1908 Auburn Model G Tourer rested on a 100 inch wheelbase platform, was priced at $1,250, and was powered by a two-cylinder, opposed-type, mid-mounted engine producing 24 horsepower. Engine lubrication is by a spring-belt six-feed Hill Precision Oiler. The transmission had two forward gears, plus reverse and the company advertised the automobile as able to achieve speeds of up to 40 mph in high gear. Power was delivered to the rear wheels via a center chain drive.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: 1441

This Model G Auburn is owned by its third owner since new. It features its original interior of heavily-tufted leather and has had its exterior repainted in its original color of carmine. The two-cylinder opposed, water-cooled engine produces twenty-four horsepower and the wheelbase measures 100 inches. The car sold new for $1,250, which was the same price for an Overland Model 30, an EMF Model 30, and the Buick Model F.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: 1308

Auburn began producing motor cars in 1903 after producing carriages for several years. The popular Auburn Model G was introduced in 1908. The original price of $1,250 was cut by $100, and sales tripled in 1909, marking the first year that Auburn sold over 1,000 cars.

The Model G featured a two-cylinder, opposed-type, mid-mounted engine producing 24 horsepower. It had two forward gears, plus reverse. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a center chain drive. The engine is lubricated by a spring-belt six-feed Hill Precision Oiler. The car was advertised to achieve speeds of up to 40 mph in high gear.

The current owner of this vehicle purchased it in 1999 and participated in several local tours for the next 10 years. It was restored in 2009 and won a Primary First Place at the 2012 Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg Festival.

The Model G Touring Car, a two-cylinder automobile, was one of the most popular vehicles in the Auburn line. Production of the Model G began in 1908 and continued until 1911. Through all these years, the 2-cylinder water-cooled engine produced 24 horsepower.

For 1909, the company cut the price on the two-cylinder line by $100. Sales for the year tripled and, for the first time, Auburn exceeded the 1,000 mark. A total of 1,018 Auburns in all models was produced for the year. This upsurge in sales prompted Auburn to plan a plant expansion to increase production capabilities.

1909 was also the same year the company introduced its first line of four-cylinder automobiles. In addition to the larger engine, the four-cylinder line was built on a larger chassis.

The Auburn Automobile Company of Auburn, Indiana, was founded in 1903 by Frank and Morris Eckhart, sons of a successful carriage maker. The automobiles produced by the young brothers soon gained a loyal following and by 1909, they were able to build a foundry and machine works to facilitate the manufacturing of their Auburn cars. Production would continue until 1937.

by Dan Vaughan