- Fabulous one-off body by Edden LLC
- Well-known as the "Edden Victoria"
- Restored in 2018 by Horsepower Enterprises
- Participated in numerous tours and hill climbs
- 268.6-cubic-inch L-head inline eight-cylinder Lycoming engine
Selling on
1932 Auburn Eight Victoria Cabriolet
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
When Errett Lobban Cord joined Auburn as general manager in 1924, the company was in the doldrums, making more cars than it could sell and heading for bankruptcy. From the moment Cord arrived; however, the company's fortunes improved markedly. After some Cord-inspired re-styling, Auburn sales picked up and the stage was set for the creation of a new automotive empire. In 1925, Cord arranged for Lycoming straight-eight engines to be installed in the existing six-cylinder chassis and instigated a re-styling program that saw the new-for-'25 Auburns featuring two-tone color schemes and a novel belt-line that swept up over the bonnet. Sales doubled for three consecutive years and, in 1926, Cord became president of the Auburn Automobile Company. The 1932 Auburn featured a 100 HP, 268.6-cubic-inch L-head inline eight-cylinder engine with single two-barrel Schebler carburetor and Startix system, three-speed manual transmission with Dual Ratio two-speed rear axle, solid front and live rear axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel Steeldraulic drum brakes.
The eight-cylinder Auburns were soon challenging Stutz for the accolade of 'America's fastest'. Al Leamy drove an 8-115 Speedster at 108.46 mph over the measured mile at Daytona in 1928 and went on to take the 24-hour record at Atlantic City Speedway. Not only were they outstanding performers, but the eight-cylinder Auburns also represented exceptional value for the money. At $1,395, the top-of-the-range '31 Speedster was less than half the price of the equivalent Stutz. "More car for the money than the public has ever seen," enthused Business Week magazine.
At the height of the Classic Era, few automobiles provided such affordable elegance as the Auburn. Particularly desirable are the 1932 and 1933 models, which combined the classic, subtle elegance of Alan Leamy's design with the new "Dual Ratio" rear axle. This feature offered the driver a choice of high or low ratio in any of the three forward gears, which were selectable by adjusting a lever while driving below 40 mph. It functioned by operating a vacuum-actuated clutch that locked or released a planetary gear set that was housed in the rear differential, creating the two possible output ratios and, in essence, a very rudimentary six-speed transmission. Eight-cylinder Auburns with Dual Ratio rears are among the most pleasurable driving cars of their time and today, they represent an outstanding performance bargain, just as they did when new.
This stylish 1932 Auburn is well-known to Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg members as the "Edden Victoria". The one-off design was created by Edden Body LLC. It was purchased new as a 'shell' according to ACD historians and shipped to Edden Body Works of Indianapolis, Indiana. The first owner took delivery from Edden in early 1933. The body was lowered and given a 'custom look' from new by Edden Body Works. While early ownership history remains unknown, Ed Stoudt of Lancaster, Pennsylvania purchased this Auburn in the mid-1970s from a long-term owner. Coined the "Edden Victoria", it would be sold alongside his other antique and classic cars during his estate sale in 2021. Under Stoudt's ownership, the Edden Victoria was treated to a restoration performed by the noted restoration specialists at Horsepower Enterprises of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As a result, this matching-numbers Auburn is an exceptionally well-sorted and well-mannered car. Its current enthusiastic owners have participated in numerous tours and hill climbs. The restoration remains highly attractive, riding on classic wooden artillery wheels, with a beautiful body finish and an elegant leather interior that is comfortable and inviting.
Eight-cylinder Auburns are renowned for their superb performance and almost-modern drivability, which is why so many Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club members love to drive them. This car is ideal for ACD Club, CCCA, and of course AACA events, or for continued touring with confidence by its next caretaker.
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