Vehicle Description
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making its contemporaries appear decidedly outdated.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.
