Auburn Automobile
 | |
 Auburn hood ornament | |
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Eckhart Carriage Company |
| Founded | 1900 in Auburn, Indiana |
| Founder | Frank and Morris Eckhart |
| Defunct | 1937 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy & Merged with Cord |
| Successor | Auburn-Central / American Central Manufacturing Corporation |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Frank and Morris Eckhart E.L. Cord |
| Products | Automobiles Automotive parts |
Auburn represented an American automobile brand manufactured between 1900 and 1937, renowned primarily for its luxurious Auburn Speedster models that blended performance, elegance, and premium pricing. The economic collapse following the 1929 stock market crash drastically reduced sales for Auburn and its affiliated brands Duesenberg and Cord, resulting in the cessation of vehicle production by 1937.
After declaring bankruptcy in 1940, Auburn combined forces with Central Manufacturing Company to create Auburn Central Manufacturing (ACM), which secured significant contracts during World War II. In 1943, ACM was renamed American Central Manufacturing and became notable for manufacturing over 500,000 bodies for Willys and Ford quarter-ton military jeeps used during the war.
Corporate history
The origins of the Auburn Automobile Company trace back to the Eckhart Carriage Company, established in Auburn, Indiana, in 1874 by Charles Eckhart (1841–1915). His sons, Frank and Morris Eckhart, shifted focus toward automobile production by absorbing nearby car manufacturers and expanding their operations by 1909. The outbreak of World War I caused disruptions due to shortages in essential materials.
In 1919, ownership transferred from the Eckhart family to a group of Chicago investors led by Ralph Austin Bard, who revitalized the firm but struggled to achieve profitability. In 1924, Errett Lobban Cord (1894–1974), a prominent car salesman, gained control through a leveraged buyout. Cord aggressively marketed the company’s inventory and completed his acquisition by 1925.
Although Cord’s era brought innovative engineering and daring designs, the Great Depression severely curtailed demand for Auburn’s high-end automobiles. By 1935, the company diversified into manufacturing kitchen cabinets and sinks as a means to maintain operations.
Cord’s illegal manipulation of stock markets compelled him to relinquish control over his automotive enterprises—including Cord, Duesenberg, and Central Manufacturing Company, which produced metal bodies for Auburn vehicles. Following SEC orders, Cord divested his shares; automotive manufacturing ended in 1937.
In 1938, Auburn purchased Pak-Age-Car and began producing delivery vehicles at its Connersville facility. By 1939 sales rights moved to Diamond T; production of Pak-Age-Car models ceased by 1941 as wartime priorities shifted.
After filing for bankruptcy in 1940, Auburn merged with Central Manufacturing Company to form Auburn Central Manufacturing (ACM). In March 1941, ACM won a crucial contract with Willys-Overland to produce jeep bodies for the Willys MA model. Throughout World War II, ACM expanded production to supply approximately 360,000 bodies for Willys MB jeeps as well as nearly half of Ford’s GPW models. Additionally, ACM manufactured trailer bodies and components for aircraft.
In March 1942, ACM adopted the name American Central Manufacturing. By mid-1943, it had completed its 150,000th jeep body amid peak wartime production levels. The Connersville plant became known as "Little Detroit" due to its industrial significance. Production of jeep bodies continued until 1948.
Following the war’s conclusion, ACM redirected its efforts toward manufacturing kitchen sinks, appliances, and cabinetry—leveraging its industrial capabilities into these product lines that formed the foundation of its postwar growth.
Models
The 1904 Auburn touring automobile, available with a tonneau accommodating two or four passengers, was priced at US$1,000. It utilized a flat-mounted single-cylinder engine generating 10 horsepower alongside a two-speed planetary gearbox. Constructed with a steel frame, the vehicle weighed approximately 1500 pounds and employed half-elliptic leaf springs for suspension.
In 1926, Errett Cord acquired the company and aligned it with the Duesenberg Corporation, capitalizing on Duesenberg's racing heritage to introduce the prestigious Duesenberg Model J (1928–1937). Additionally, Cord pioneered one of the earliest front-wheel-drive vehicles with the Cord L-29 (1929–1937), enhancing the brand’s luxury and technological offerings.
Prominent figures in design included Alan Leamy, who served as chief designer for the 1933 Auburn Speedster, and Gordon Buehrig, who joined in 1926 and was responsible for styling nearly half of the Model Js. While Duesenberg manufactured the chassis, independent coachbuilders produced bodies either based on specifications or bespoke commissions.
In 1934, Buehrig transitioned to Auburn Auto to design the 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster, followed by the innovative Cord 810/812 models (1936–37). These vehicles were celebrated for their cutting-edge engineering and groundbreaking aesthetics when unveiled at the 1935 New York Auto Show. Their introduction significantly strengthened the company’s market position until Buehrig left in 1937.
The Cord portfolio—including the Duesenberg Model J, Auburn Speedster, and Cord 810/812—was distinguished by a blend of superior engineering and elegant design. The Auburn Boattail Speedster was powered by a 4.6L straight-eight engine with an optional supercharger producing 150 horsepower, capable of surpassing speeds of 100 mph, making it particularly popular among Hollywood clientele.
The company's operations ceased in 1937 due to financial difficulties during the Great Depression compounded by Cord’s stock market issues. Today, its Art Deco headquarters in Auburn serves as the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005. The firm also maintained a manufacturing facility in Connersville, Indiana, previously owned by Lexington Motor Company.
Auburn production specifications
- Auburn 8-Eighty-Eight Sedan
- Auburn 8-77
See also
References
- Auburn & Cord by Lee Beck and Josh Malks (1996)
- Auburn Cord Duesenberg by Don Butler (1992)
External links
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Indiana
- Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States
- Defunct manufacturing companies based in Indiana
- Auburn, Indiana
- Brass Era vehicles
- Vintage vehicles
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1900
- 1900 establishments in Indiana
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1937
- Defunct brands
- 1937 disestablishments in Indiana
- American companies established in 1900
- American companies disestablished in 1937
- Sports car manufacturers
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment