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Production of the Auburn automobile began in 1900. The company was founded by the Eckhart brothers, former carriage builders in Auburn, Indiana. After World War I, the government was slow to pay automakers for war work and Auburn cars could be sold due to lack of instruments, which Auburn could not pay for. The company was saved when hotshot Moon car salesman, Erret Lobban Cord, took charge. He dressed up the Auburns and soon owned the company. He later combined Auburn with Duesenberg and created the stylish, front-drive Cord. The company ended production in 1936 due to the Depression.
The Auburn V-12 engine was a powerhouse. With Ab Jenkins at the wheel of an Auburn, it set many speed records, some of which survived until after World War II. The engine was later used as a fire truck engine by American LaFrance until the mid-1960s.
Despite the failing economy and declining sales caused by the Depression, luxury automakers such as Cadillac and Packard began introducing larger, more powerful 12 and 16-cylinder engines. To keep pace, Auburn unveiled its new V12 Lycoming engine in 1932, which became the least expensive twelve-cylinder engine ever marketed. The 391 cubic-inch engine offered 160 horsepower and cost the company over $1 million to design and tool, yet the lowest-priced car sold for as little as $975. However, sales struggled, and 1934 was the last year for the Auburn V12.
Auburn's V12 may have been a steal for new car buyers when it was introduced in 1932 but it was no bargain for the company. The engine project cost one million Depression-era dollars which was never recouped. Like the Duesenberg straight eight, the Auburn Twelve was built by Cord's Lycoming division. The V12's unique architecture included a 45-degree bank angle, four main bearings, and a single camshaft operating horizontal 'semi-overhead' valves via long rocker arms. Displacing 391 cubic inches and featuring a separate intake manifold and carburetor for each bank, it developed 160 horsepower.
Auburn introduced an upscale Salon series for 1933 in an attempt to boost lagging sales. The Salon featured more chrome, fancier bumpers, an upgraded interior, and a v-shaped windshield and rode on a 127-inch wheelbase. The Salon series continued in 1934 on the Model 1250.
The Auburn V-12 engine was a powerhouse. With Ab Jenkins at the wheel of an Auburn, it set many speed records, some of which survived until after World War II. The engine was later used as a fire truck engine by American LaFrance until the mid-1960s.
Despite the failing economy and declining sales caused by the Depression, luxury automakers such as Cadillac and Packard began introducing larger, more powerful 12 and 16-cylinder engines. To keep pace, Auburn unveiled its new V12 Lycoming engine in 1932, which became the least expensive twelve-cylinder engine ever marketed. The 391 cubic-inch engine offered 160 horsepower and cost the company over $1 million to design and tool, yet the lowest-priced car sold for as little as $975. However, sales struggled, and 1934 was the last year for the Auburn V12.
Auburn's V12 may have been a steal for new car buyers when it was introduced in 1932 but it was no bargain for the company. The engine project cost one million Depression-era dollars which was never recouped. Like the Duesenberg straight eight, the Auburn Twelve was built by Cord's Lycoming division. The V12's unique architecture included a 45-degree bank angle, four main bearings, and a single camshaft operating horizontal 'semi-overhead' valves via long rocker arms. Displacing 391 cubic inches and featuring a separate intake manifold and carburetor for each bank, it developed 160 horsepower.
Auburn introduced an upscale Salon series for 1933 in an attempt to boost lagging sales. The Salon featured more chrome, fancier bumpers, an upgraded interior, and a v-shaped windshield and rode on a 127-inch wheelbase. The Salon series continued in 1934 on the Model 1250.
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1934 Auburn 1250 Twelve Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Auburn 1250 Twelve
(Data based on Model Year 1934 sales)
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Cabriolet Sold for USD$440,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 12165 1935 E Sold for USD$467,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Chassis#: 1062H Sold for USD$351,500 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Phaeton Sedan Chassis#: 1250 1064 H Sold for USD$207,200 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 1250 1122 E Sold for USD$313,500 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1934 AUBURN 12-165 SALON CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1091F Sold for USD$360,852 2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 192 Sold for USD$506,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Motor City Auction | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Cabriolet Chassis#: 1201 F Sold for USD$401,500 2015 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Cabriolet Chassis#: BB2063 Sold for USD$319,000 2014 WorldWide Auctions - The Houston Classic Motorcar Auction | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 1122E Sold for USD$286,000 2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1934 Auburn 12 Salon Cabriolet Chassis#: 1091F Sold for USD$473,000 2012 Worldwide - The Auburn Auction | |
1934 AUBURN TWELVE SALON PHAETON Sold for USD$292,600 2011 Auctions America - Auburn Fall Auction | |
1934 AUBURN 1250 SALON CABRIOLET Sold for USD$253,000 2009 Barrett-Jackson - Palm Beach 2009 | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Sedan Sold for USD$319,000 2009 Automobiles of Arizona | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Sold for USD$176,000 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island |
Auburn 1250 Twelves That Failed To Sell At Auction
1934 Auburn 1250 Twelve's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton | 1250 1064 H | 2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $325,000 | $375,000 | $450,000 |
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1934 Auburn 1250 Twelve
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