Vehicle Description
Despite difficulties in the 1920s, Auburn made a significant impact
in 1932 by introducing a new V12 engine. E.L. Cord played a huge
part in successfully reorganizing the Auburn Automobile Company out
of financial troubles. Cord eventually took ownership of Auburn and
by that point, he owned three of the most prominent American
automobile companies at the time, Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg.
Cord wanted an automobile capable of competing with the likes of
Packard and Cadillac, and it was the perfect opportunity to build a
car that would neatly fit the value-leading Auburn philosophy.
The 12-160, their most powerful model to date, boasted 160
horsepower from a 391.2 cubic inch engine. Designed and built by
Lycoming, a subsidiary of the Cord Corporation, this V12 featured
an intriguing design with a narrow 45-degree V-angle and a nearly
horizontal valve train that resembled an overhead cam design
despite the cam being in the middle of the block. To manage the
increased power the 12-160 chassis was equipped with hydraulic
internally expanding drum brakes, variable-ratio steering gear,
17-inch wheels, and an optional dual-ratio rear axle on top-line
models. Auburn priced their new V12 competitively, costing less
than a contemporary eight-cylinder Dodge. Due to its reasonable
price, many units were exported from the United States,
particularly to Europe.
Given the influence of Cord and Duesenberg on Auburn, it's no
surprise the cars were capable of special modification. Duesenberg
had already established its engineering capabilities with Indy 500
wins and the Mormon Meteor land speed record car. Auburn had been
building their famed Speedster for a few years now as well. Auburn
undoubtedly used engineering aspects of Duesenberg in the
development of the Twelve. While famous for their road cars, Auburn
did build a handful of racecars, including a reported entry for the
1932 Indy 500 that ultimately crashed and did not race.
Additionally, a few eight-cylinder cars were also constructed as
racecars proving Auburn's versatility like their sister company,
Duesenberg.
This remarkable vehicle was constructed in the late 1940s by
Georges Bigata, who grew up working in his family's compressed
natural gas business in Bordeaux, France. Bigata discovered an
Auburn 12-160 chassis in the French countryside and recognized that
converting it into a powerful automobile powered by his family's
product would attract business. With the help of his son Marc,
Bigata lowered the Auburn's chassis, bringing it closer to the
ground, while retaining the original 12-cylinder engine.
The unique, monoposto-inspired body of the Auburn is entirely
hand-formed aluminum, featuring concealed headlights behind a
shapely Delahaye-like grille and a fully instrumented dashboard.
The body was designed and built by Marcel Dassault, who was a close
friend of the Bigata family and a renowned figure in the French
aircraft industry. Beginning in the First World War, Dassault was
essential to the French war effort, helping to arm their Air Force.
Despite facing persecution during the war, Dassault continued his
work post-war and formed Dassault Aviation, continuing to develop
aircraft for the French well into the 1960s. To this day Dassault
Aviation is still a well-respected aircraft manufacturer producing
defense and private aircraft, including Falcon business jets.
Initially, the engine ran on compressed natural gas from two large
tanks which necessitated the curved full-figured shape of the
bodywork. Power is delivered through a three-speed manual
transmission with overdrive, reportedly allowing the Bigata Douze
to reach a top speed of nearly 200 km/h. Georges completed the car
in 1949, a remarkably quick turnaround. According to correspondence
with a relative of Bigata, he entered his creation in the 1949
Bordeaux Grand Prix and won the race.
The car was later discovered by enthusiast Andre Varenne who
returned it to functional order and showcased it at various
historic events. Legendary motorsport figures, such as Juan Manuel
Fangio, have test-driven the car with photographs of Fangio behind
the wheel featured in several magazine articles within the history
file. Mr. Varenne parted with the car in 2008 and shortly after it
was converted to run on conventional gasoline for ease of operation
under the care of a collection in the Netherlands.
Recently the Bigata was reappropriated to the United States where
it has received mechanical recommissioning. In its current
condition, the Dassault aluminum body shines in the sun, the patina
has been left untouched to not disturb the story this car has
amassed. The large wire wheels are imposing, adding to the scale of
the car and monoposto-style look, and have been fitted with new
Firestone tires as part of the recommissioning. The deep rumble of
the twelve-cylinder is very apparent thanks to the straight piped
exhaust fitted by Bigata as well. The cockpit utilizes a red
leather bench seat and shifter modified by Bigata. The
aircraft-inspired dash carries full instrumentation easily allowing
the driver to monitor the operation of the vehicle. Lastly, "G.
Bigata Special Douze" badging adorns different parts of the
motorcar, truly displaying its uniqueness.
Storied with a past of racing and innovation, this Auburn Twelve
Special truly is a distinct piece of Franco-American engineering.
From aircraft-inspired looks to its race history in the French wine
country, the Auburn remains essentially as it was found with a
marvelous patina and brimming with character. It is a fascinating
expression of French aviation and American engineering and would
make an eye-catching centerpiece to any collection.
Offers welcome and Trades Considered
