- One of only five certified examples; ACD Club Certified A-456
- ACD Club Senior Award winner
- Known and long-term ownership
- Spectacular, correct, and recent concours level restoration
- Retains its original chassis, body, engine, drivetrain, suspension and running gear
- Best of Show award winner - Keeneland Concours d'Elegance, July 2024
- Exhibited at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Unmistakable Art Deco elegance, brilliant design, and exceptional power
LOT 654
Selling on Saturday Evening
1932 Auburn 12-160A Boattail Speedster
Led by business tycoon and visionary E.L. Cord, the Auburn Automobile Company flourished under new leadership when Cord took over as president in 1926. Once failing to turn a profit, many companies quickly found themselves in the rearview mirror as few automakers during the peak of the Classic Era could rival the elegance and innovation that was rolling out of the Auburn factory. As business savvy as E.L. was, he was equally as good with surrounding himself with best, such as young gun Alan Leamy, who was pinned with designing the entire Auburn line from 1931 to 1934.
First introduced in 1928 from the creative mind of Mr. Leamy and placed under the 8 Series nameplate, Leamy's boattail design would see its apex in 1932, with the introduction of the 12-cylinder engine. Only produced for two years, 1932 and 1933, the 12-160A Boattail Speedster is a seldom seen automobile that rivals the definition of what the Art Deco era stands for. Sculpted to look fast even while sitting still, its performance was equally impressive, flaunting a 160-horsepower Lycoming 12-cylinder engine that smoothly propelled this rolling work of art past the 100 mile-per-hour mark. Paired with a Columbia dual ratio two-speed rear axle, the experience one gets from behind the wheel is unmatched.
One of the finest and most original 12-cylinder Auburn Boattail Speedsters, this gem is offered from a noted collection where it has resided for the last 22 years. Known ownership begins in the 1960s with collector Jim Pullen of Dallas, Texas. A staple in his collection, he would eventually sell this Boattail to well-known collector, and former CCCA President, Chuck Conrad. On the CCCA board at the same time as Chuck and known for his impressive collection of Packards, the current owner had originally sought after a Packard Speedster, but when he came across this Auburn Speedster, he fell in love with it, as he thought it was a sportier option. Trying to convince Chuck to sell it to him for years, he would eventually have his wish granted and take ownership in 2002. After which, it was determined that a long and comprehensive body-off-the-frame restoration would unfold. During the restoration, in 2006, when this Speedster was taken to bare metal (making it easier to verify and get to certain stampings) it was taken to Auburn, Indiana, and certified by the late and former long-time ACD Chief Judge Paul Bryant, with sign-offs also from current Certification Supervisor Jim O'Brien and the late Stan Gilliland. Receiving its ACD Club Category One Certification, A-456, it was noted for retaining its original chassis, body, engine, drivetrain, suspension and running gear.
After visiting some of the top shops around the country, the painstaking concours level restoration would be completed in 2023, following which, it was invited to and exhibited on the 18th green at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. From there, this V-12 Speedster went to the annual ACD Club Reunion in Auburn, Indiana, where it captured an ACD Club Senior award. Most recently in July of 2024 it was awarded Best of Show at the noted Keeneland Concours d'Elegance.
Serious collectors have recently discovered what some have known all along; that the early speedsters are not only striking in design and appearance, but that they are exceedingly rare with just a few genuine and authentic examples remaining. According to authoritative ACD Club members, it is believed just 25 12-160A examples are known to survive, of which just five have been fully certified as original cars; this is one of those five. Designed and built to the highest standards, this speedster's combination of quiet, refined performance and elegance sets it apart from all others. A proven show and multiple award winner, its attributes make it one of very few cars that can be proudly displayed in any collection around the world. It is the very definition of art in motion.
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