1933 Auburn Model 12-165

It had been just nine years since E.L. Cord had been given the General Manager position at Auburn, and his leadership had brought about an improvement in sales. The Great Depression weakened the company's economic strength during the early 1930s, but the styling leadership by Design Chief Alan Leamy kept the Auburn Company at the forefront of modern designs.

Auburn's model lineup for 1933 included the Model 8-101 (and Model 8-101A) powered by a Lycoming eight-cylinder engine and rested on a 127-inch wheelbase (the seven-passenger sedan used a longer, 136-inch platform.) Prices ranged from $745 to $945 for the Model 8-101 and $895 to $1,095 for the Model 8-101A. The 'A' Series had a dual-range overdrive rear axle.

The Model 8-105 was the most deluxe 8-cylinder offering within the Auburn lineup, wearing stylized fenders and lighting and using the same engine and wheelbase platform as its 8-101 sibling. New features included hydraulic brakes, a 'V' windshield, a glove box in the dash, unique propeller-styled bumpers, and a downdraft carburetor.

The top-of-the-line Auburn was the 12-161 (and 12-161A) and 12-165 which used a 133-inch wheelbase and was powered by a 391.6 cubic-inch horizontal valve V-12 engine offering 160 horsepower and paired with a three-speed manual transmission and Columbia electric overdrive. The front used a solid axle while the rear had a live axle setup with semi-elliptic leaf springs and live rubber air cushions all-round. The frame had been strengthened with a new front A-member and features included Houdaille double-acting shock absorbers, a tubular cowl frame structure, and Bijur chassis lubrication. Four-wheel adjustable vacuum-assisted hydraulic brakes provided the stopping power.

The Dual Ratio rear end was controlled via a dash-mounted lever that would toggle between either a 4.5 or 3.0 ratio for each of the transmission's three gears. It allowed the owner to select the perfect setting for high-speed cruising, reduced fuel consumption, and helped reduce the strain on the engine.

Special body trim included a radiator cap concealed by the hood, stylized 'ribbon' bumpers, headlamps with unique convex lenses, and a painted radiator shell that vee'd out at the bottom.

The coupe listed for $1,145, $1,195 for the Brougham, $1,245 for the sedan, $1,295 for the cabriolet, and $1,345 for the Speedster and the Phaeton. It is believed that just fourteen examples of the Speedster were built in 1933 on the Twelve cylinder line. The 'Custom Dual Ratio' setup added approximately $150 to the base price.

The Model 8-101 (and 8-101A), 8-015, 12-161 (and 12-161A) were offered as a Speedster, Cabriolet, Phaeton, Brougham, and Sedan.

The Salon Twelve was actively built only in 1933 and while it remained part of the 1934 catalog, the cars sold that year were retitled 1933s.

Due to the Great Depression and Auburn's financial difficulties, the list of available body styles decreased in 1934, with most models offered as a cabriolet, brougham, and sedan. A six-cylinder option was added in 1934 with prices that began at $695 as Auburn attempted to appeal to a greater audience of consumers. A Phaeton and Coupe was added to all the models in 1935 (the phaeton had been offered in 1934 on select models) and continued into its final year of 1936.

As luxury marques throughout the industry had 'dropped the gauntlet,' introducing potent vehicles propelled by advanced engines that continued to grow in size. The largest was from Cadillac and Marmon who introduced sixteen-cylinder models around the same time (Cadillac was the first). Other luxury makers responded, mostly with twelve-cylinder models. Auburn's twelve-cylinder model was priced at under a thousand dollars, making it the lowest-priced 12-cylinder vehicle ever produced. A comparable Cadillac V-8 costs twice as much as a twelve-cylinder Auburn. However, Auburn's low price negatively impacted its sales, as many people featured that the quality of the engine or the vehicle was reflective of the price. Thus, sales were not as strong as intended. By the end of 1932, the company had lost over a million dollars.

The low price of the Auburn Twelve was reflective of the Great Depression and Auburn's attempt to outsell its competition. Its performance was proven by a number of speed record runs by factory driver Eddie Miller. He set 31 American stock car speed records at Muroc Dry Lake in December 1932 in trials observed by the AAA, including covering 500 miles at an average of 113.57 mph, which was faster than Fred Frame's winning speed at the Indianapolis 500 that year.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan Brougham

In 1932, Auburn joined the ranks of Franklin, Cadillac, Packard, Pierce Arrow, Lincoln, and Marmon in offering a large multicylinder prestige automobile. Of all these, Auburn offered the most car for the dollar with prices starting at a low $975. The 1933 Salon model, with V12, was a high-cost, deluxe car featuring a V windshield, unique stainless steel trim around the fenders and windows plus a special grille and bumpers. Priced at $1,695, the Salon Brougham is an exceptionally rare car. This fine automobile is a completely original, unrestored (though repainted) example.

Speedster

The twelve-cylinder Auburn of the mid-1930s was an impressive machine, both in aesthetics and performance. It was driven 500 miles at over 113 mph without a stop. This means it was faster than the purpose-built Indianapolis 500 race cars that competed in 1932. They had averaged 104 mph for the 500-mile race. The Auburn 165 Twelve would capture many records, including 9 International speed records.

by Dan Vaughan

Speedster

In 1925, Errett Lobban Cord, an American who rose from used car dealer to industrial giant and at times possessed automobile, airplane and motor companies, took over the majority of shares of a previously unsuccessful automobile company by the name of Auburn.

By the 1930s, due to improved roads, speed truly was of the essence. The very talented designer Al Leamy created some of the most striking and sleek designs of the period, the pinnacle being the Auburn Boattail Speedster.

The 1932-1934 Auburn Twelve was the least expensive V-12 ever at $975 for the Standard coupe of $1,275 for the top-of-the-line Custom Speedster. The Twelve featured power by Lycoming in a huge double-braced frame. The V-12 set a number of records and won the America Stock Car Speed Championships for 1932 and 1933, with recorded times of up to 117mph. However, the Great Depression took its toll, and Auburn was dramatically affected.

Auburn is recognized as being one of the most balanced and best-engineered 1930s classics. It had a stunning design, especially the open models. Not surprisingly, the Auburn's value is still appreciating.

On the negative side, Auburn's operating costs were steep, and parts were extremely expensive.

This 1933 Auburn Salon Speedster V-12, built during the final years of the Auburn Motor Company, is one of the only 16 (possibly 19) Salon Speedsters produced in the year 1933 (just six Salon Speedsters exist). It was fully restored in 2000. The Salon, being the top-of-the-line model, features more attractive styling details. The Salon features include modifications to the grille, headlights, instruments, front bumper, and gas tank apron.

Sedan Brougham

The Auburn V12 engine was a completely new one by Lycoming, one of the firms in Cord's group. Also new was a two-speed rear axle made by another Cord firm. An Auburn V12 set many speed records in 1932, some of which survived until after World War II. The V12 engine has a displacement of 6.43 liters, rated at 160 horsepower, coupled to a four-speed transmission, and produced a top speed of 93 mph.

The most distinctive characteristic of a new Auburn was its astounding price: a two-passenger coupe's cost was only $975, or one-third to one-fourth the cost of a V12 Packard, Franklin, or Cadillac. Five other versions were offered: a cabriolet, brougham, sedan, speedster, and phaeton with a maximum cost of $1,145 in 1932.

But as The Great Depression lengthened, sales fell each year and the last V12s were produced in 1932.

In an attempt to boost lagging sales, Auburn introduced a new top-of-the-line Salon series for 1933. The Salon was given chrome moldings on the fender edge, fancier bumpers, an upgraded interior radiator grille, headlight and cowl lights, lenses and a V-shaped windshield. The wheelbase measures 127 inches. This was mated to a new V-12 Lycoming engine, which Auburn had unveiled just a year earlier. This would become the least expensive twelve-cylinder engine ever marketed. The 391 cubic-inch unit had cost the company over $1 million to design and tool, yet sold for as little as $1,395. It was a very advanced powerplant and became well-known for its use in aircraft. The engine would remain in production until the mid-1960s for use in American La France fire trucks.

The 1933 Model 12-165 and the 1934 Model 1250 were both offered with the Salon design.

Phaeton Sedan

This vehicle is a 1933 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Sedan fitted with a 7.6-liter V-12 engine that generates 160 horsepower. The wheelbase measures 133 inches, and when new, it cost $1848. This was Auburn's most expensive car for 1933 and only 68 such vehicles were produced for the model year.

The current owner's family purchased this car in 1968 and would spend the following two decades restoring it to its original condition.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Sedan by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.

In the depths of the Great Depression, Auburn introduced its new 'Salon' models in eight and twelve cylinders. It was introduced in 1932, and it cost under $1,000 - less than an eight-cylinder Chrysler automobile at the time. It was Auburn's top-of-the-line offering, presenting stylish good looks at a good price. Unfortunately, buyers thought the old aphorism 'you get what you pay for' held true in Auburn's case, and the company lost money.

With designers like Alan Leamy and Gordon Buehrig, Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles sported some of the most audaciously stylish bodies of the era. This example sports special trim features including chrome moldings on the running boards and fenders; a belt line cove fitted with chrome molding; and moldings on the hood louvers. The head and cowl lamps, radiator shell, and grill were unique to the series. This Convertible Sedan has a very low top and the body line dips low in the rear - the top folds flush and compact. It has a factory trunk and sports the distinctive bow-tie bumper.

Powered by a 391 cubic-inch Lycoming-built V12 that produces 160 horsepower, it has a three-speed transmission, dual Stromberg carburetors, and Bijur chassis lubrication. The original X-frame was supplemented by the addition of an A subframe attachment that reduced the chance of flexing at the front end. It also boasts the ingenious 'Dual Ratio' differential which was operated by a dashboard lever. The top speed of this Auburn V12 Salon is around 100 mph.

Sedan

In the 1920s, E.L. Cord was very involved in the automobile industry. So much so, that he really wanted to own or direct a manufacturing company. He got his chance in 1924 when the Auburn Automobile company offered him a top-level management position. Cord understood all aspects of design and manufacturing. The depression of the late 1920s had a major impact on Cord and some of his outside business ventures, though the Auburn Company did manage to turn a profit. During this period, auto companies were engaged in a 'cylinder war' - trying to outdo each other on power. Companies like Franklin, Cadillac, Packard, Pierce Arrow, Lincoln and Marmon offered a 12-cylinder option. Auburn answered this challenge with a 12-cylinder engine that, at the time, was one of the cheapest ones produced. The 6.5-liter Lycoming engine produced a respectable 160 horsepower and could push the Auburn to 100+ mph. Though the company ended production in 1937, the Auburns of the early 1930s is considered to be some of the finest and most powerful cars produced during the era. These cars sold for under $1500, a hefty price but much cheaper than a similarly equipped Packard, Franklin, or Cadillac.

This car was shown at the ACD Museum prior to a complete restoration. Its ownership history is known and includes only 4 previous owners.

Speedster

Auburn began building motorcars in 1903, but for a period of 20 years, the company was not hugely successful. In 1926, E.L. Cord became Auburn's general manager, and the company began to grow. It was one of the few companies to have increased sales during the Depression due in part to owning a large number of dealerships. Cord gave the Auburns the style they much needed with the help of the talented designer Al Leamy, who created some of the most striking and sleek designs of the period, including the iconic boattail-shaped Speedster. With their powerful but relatively inexpensive Lycoming V12 engine, these cars won the American Stock Car Championships in 1932 and 1933, recording speeds of up to 117 mph.

This is a very rare 1933 Speedster, one of only 16 built that year.

Salon Cabriolet

Built in Auburn, Indiana, starting at the turn of the century, the Auburn automobile's glory years were those when Errett Loban Cord was in charge from the mid-1920s to the end of production in 1937. Cord had a simple formula: give buyers high style at an attractive price. The Auburn 165 horsepower V-12 was available for less than a thousand dollars as a two-passenger coupe, the most economical 'twelve' ever offered to the public.

Very few of the Salons were built, which are identified by extra chrome trim added to the edges of the fenders and hood louvers. Inside, the instrument panel was unique to the model, as were two front bucket seats. Despite rave reviews, Auburn produced just 5,038 new cars in 1933. E.L. Cord was mystified. Hindsight tells us that even the wealthy were leery of being regarded as ostentatious during the Depression, which kept sales of the flashy Auburns to a minimum.