Vehicle Description
E.L. Cord had famously saved the Auburn Automobile Company from
certain collapse in 1925 and in the process, elevated Auburn from a
maker of perfectly good, though somewhat dull cars, into a leader
in the entry-level luxury market. Auburn would become the
cornerstone of Cord's vision for a luxury automobile empire.
Through clever marketing and the introduction of a line of Lycoming
eight-cylinder engines, Auburn was reestablished as a value and
style leader with the help of designers like Alan Leamy and Gordon
Buehrig. As they forged into the 1930s, the effects of the Great
Depression had pummeled the high-end automobile market and Auburn
was feeling the pressure. Despite the looming losses, the company
carried on with a series of increasingly stylish cars throughout
the next several years. Chief designer Alan Leamy had joined
Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg in 1928, and penned the legendary Cord L-29
and much of the exterior sheetmetal for the Duesenberg J -
including its iconic radiator grille. He was then sent to over to
Auburn to put his touch on range, which he did masterfully through
a series of handsome, art-deco inspired open and closed cars, with
the range-topping rakish Boattail Speedster a particular highlight
of his career. 1933 models carried on largely unchanged from the
previous year, but with tweaked styling by Leamy and some subtle
upgrades. Prices had increased but in order to give a sense of
value, the standard line was supplemented with the Salon model
which added a folding windscreen to open models (or a fixed
V-windscreen to closed cars) and the availability of steel
artillery wheels. As before, the dual-ratio rear axle was an option
which made for easy and relaxed high-speed cruising ability.
Lycoming inline eight cylinder and V12 engines continued to be
offered, each delivering excellent performance for the price.
Despite their best efforts, however, the combination of economic
conditions and E.L. Cord's dubious business dealings would spell
the end for Auburn just three short years later. This 1933 Auburn
8-105 is a desirable Salon model wearing factory cabriolet
coachwork. It is a charming piece that presents with a well-earned
patina, coming most recently from long-term single-family ownership
in California. The story of the most recent owners begins in the
1960s, with a young man named Ed who had struck a deal with his
father: If Ed would quit smoking, his father would buy him a car.
So the young man dutifully kicked the habit in hopes of waking up
one morning to find something like a brand-new Impala convertible
in the driveway. In the end, his father came through on the deal,
but the car was quite a bit different from what Ed had hoped for.
The car he bought his son was this 1933 Auburn cabriolet, which
young Ed saw as "just an old car", later confessing that he was
pretty disappointed at first sight. But the charm of pretty Auburn
quickly grew on him, even though it was clear that his father had
really bought the car for himself! Soon, he and his dad were
working on the car regularly and whole family grew quite attached
to the Auburn. In fact, it would remain in their possession and
care for the next four-plus decades. In spite of its careworn
appearance, this Auburn is in remarkably good mechanical condition
and has been very well maintained through the years. The 2/4
passenger cabriolet body is in good order and is exceptionally
solid underneath. The floors and chassis all appear to be sound and
solid, thanks in large part to this car's long-term Western
ownership. The body is also quite straight and while the paint is
glossy, it is fairly weathered is lifting in places. Accessories
include dual side-mount spare wire wheels, cowl lights on the
signature Auburn streamlined plinths, chrome trumpet horns and
Stabilite headlamps. The chrome is in generally good condition, and
while it is showing its age in places, it is sound and straight,
including the beautifully curved bumpers. The interior is trimmed
in tobacco-colored upholstery and presents in fair condition, in
keeping with the rest of the quality of the car. Original gauges in
the beautiful art-deco instrument panel appear good, and the car
features a rare factory-optional Philco radio. The upholstery is
generally sound and serviceable, thought the canvas cabriolet top
has deteriorated and will require replacement. Mechanically, the
8-105 has been maintained to a very high standard and benefits from
extensive service. A number of recent receipts are included in the
history file, including one for a complete engine rebuild performed
in 2016. This included regrinding of the crankshaft, new Babbitt
bearings, balanced rotating assembly, and freshly machined mating
surfaces on the block. The engine runs strong and the car drives
very well, with that particularly pleasing quality of a well-loved
original car. It is equipped with the desirable 2-speed rear axle,
which was serviced along with the brakes and electrical system
prior to the engine rebuild. With an interesting, long term history
in California and a recent mechanical overhaul, this honest and
tidy Auburn is a fine example for casual use, or to serve as the
basis of a straightforward cosmetic restoration. The sale will
include receipts, numerous California registration cards dating
back to the 1950s, and a period instruction manual.