For Sale at Auction: 1929 Auburn Boattail in Monterey, California

Chassis No. AB-9735
Car No. 9735
Engine No. MD26610

In the late 1920s, Auburn served as the cornerstone of E.L. Cord's growing automotive empire, providing steady sales and profits while he expanded into more ambitious ventures like the front-wheel-drive Cord L-29 and the legendary Duesenberg Model J. In 1929, the company's "Big Eight" 120 model featured a 120-horsepower, 268 cu-in Lycoming inline eight-cylinder engine, mounted in a 125-inch wheelbase chassis that provided a solid foundation for Auburn's success.

The stunning Auburn Speedster, designed by the talented Alan Leamy, transformed the Eight platform into America's first true sports car. With its dramatically tapered rear end, rakish doors, and wind-swept styling adapted from a McFarlan-bodied Duesenberg show car, the Speedster delivered exceptional performance with a top speed of 100 miles per hour. This exclusive model enjoyed record sales and proved competitive in racing on both sides of the Atlantic, establishing Auburn's performance-oriented image and making its contemporaries appear decidedly outdated.

According to marque experts, this Speedster was believed to have been sold new in Finland, where it may have been campaigned in competition by a Carl Ebb from 1929-1932. By the 1970s, the Speedster was reportedly undergoing restoration work in Finland, eventually coming into the ownership of Anga Pakula by 1983-entering her impressive museum collection which included such landmark models as a Mercedes-Benz 770K. Correspondence dated 1992 from Vesilahti, Finland, documents the car in a disassembled state, along with a photo of the original wooden Speedster body frame intact.

In the mid-1990s, the Auburn was sold and entered the West Palm Beach collection of William "Bill" G. Lassiter Jr., joining his spectacular assemblage of classic American automobiles. The current owner acquired this exceptional Auburn from Lassiter in June 2001 and has thoughtfully maintained and enjoyed it throughout the past 24 years. The car has been driven and shown sparingly, including at the Fountain Elms Invitational at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute in Utica, New York.

The striking two-tone livery showcases a sophisticated black beltline and upper body beautifully contrasted by a vibrant red center section and accented with subtle pinstriping. Chrome wire wheels equipped with distinctive two-ear knock-offs complement the twin side-mounted spares-all recently mounted with six new black-wall tires in current ownership-while the classic Auburn raked split-V windshield complete its commanding profile. The front end is defined by a pair of "Spreadlight" driving lights flanked by large Monogram headlights.

The interior is swathed in sumptuous full red leather upholstery that harmonizes with the exterior color scheme, while a prominent chrome spotlight mounted to the running board and bracketed to the front cowl adds a period-correct sporting character. Beneath the hood, the coveted 120-horsepower "Big Eight" inline eight-cylinder engine presents beautifully, while the Speedster bodywork presents with correct woodwork, castings, and square nuts throughout. This exceptional Auburn, having been faithfully maintained for decades in current ownership, would serve as an ideal companion for Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club events and CCCA gatherings, where its legendary design and fine restoration would surely be appreciated.