A website For Those
Who have ever Relished
the Auburn Speedster

Auburn Speedsters.com was created due to my seemingly life long love of the Auburn 851 and 852 Speedsters. The flowing lines of a Boattail Speedster, whether it be an original 1935/1936 or one of the Second Generation Cars, is the quintessential example of Classic Automobile Art and Design. Since I would never have the $300-$500 thousand needed  to purchase an original 1935/1936 Auburn Speedster, I went with Plan B... I purchased a wonderful "Second Generation" Speedster in the winter of 2000. It is a great car and is still a pleasure to own, drive and maintain today.

The Love Affair started for me in 1974, at that time I was a Junior in High School. I ran across a series of ads depicting Classic Cars for Walkers De Luxe Straight 8. One of the cars used in the ad campaign was a Cigarette Cream 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster. I thought that car was the most beautiful automobile that I had ever seen in my short 17 years of existence. I had never heard of an Auburn automobile nor had I ever seen one. "Rip", the ad came out of the magazine and was immediately posted on my bedroom wall. Believe it or not I still have that ad. In the fall of that same year, while at the Hoosier Auto Show and Swap Meet, I actually saw an Auburn Speedster, or at least a very close facsimile. It was a Replica / Recreation. There were several Speedsters being displayed. They were produced by Elegant Motors of Indianapolis, Indiana. I could not get enough of them that day. I had nothing but a photo ad from Walkers De Luxe to compare them with, but I was very impressed with the Elegant Motors cars. I always was, and still am, a Sucker for Free Stuff. I put quite a dent in their box of sales catalogs that day.

It was not long before I decided that I needed another Boattail Speedster Fix. With my stash of sales catalogs I now had a company's name and an address of a place that was building Auburn Speedsters. I called my buddy, Dave, and talked him into taking a two hour drive with me to visit Elegant Motors. At that time Elegant Motors was operating out of an original Stutz Showroom in downtown Indianapolis on Meridian Street. I remember the showroom as being large and very impressive. The showroom had several cars on display. The salesman was great, knowing that two seventeen year old kids definitely would not be buying an Auburn that day. He took us through the showroom answering all of our questions. He then showed us their shop where Auburns were being assembled. My buddy and I had quite a day with plenty to discuss on the drive back.

Once home, I immediately sent a letter off to Elegant Motors requesting to be put on their mailing list. Their sales information started arriving on a regular basis... I was totally Hooked. By the mid seventies the Replicar industry was Big. More than just Auburns were being offered, but that is another story. Replicar company ads started popping up in all of the car collecting magazines. I stayed busy for the next several years pretending to be a potential buyer so that I could be placed on all of the Auburn Speedster manufacturers mailing list. Needless to say, my collection of sales catalogs took off. Company's such as California Custom Coach, Glenn Prays Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Company, Southeastern Replicar and The Classic Factory to drop a few names filled my parents mailbox with wonderful material to Read and Dream about.

Fast Forward 26 years to September of 2000. After returning from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Clubs National Meet in Auburn, Indiana, I couldn't wait any longer. I started searching for a car. After a lot of research I decided that I wanted a Glenn Pray built car. I called Glenn and he told me of a few cars that he knew of that were for sale. I studied Hemming's Motor News and Surfed the Internet in search of the right car. I narrowed my search to two cars, both Red, one in Detroit Michigan and one in Turlock California. The Detroit car was a four speed car and the California car was an automatic. Being six foot two and knowing how little cabin space is available in a Speedster I opted for the California trip. Again I talked my buddy Dave into going with me... he is always easy when it comes to a Road Trip. Twenty six years later and boxes full of Auburn Speedster catalogs I was finally able to purchase my  Auburn Speedster.



Enjoy the Ride!
Mark Tyra

This month's Speedster belongs to Randy Prestash from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. His car is one of the seldom seen Speedsters from the Classic Factory. Check out the latest Photo Gallery to see Randy's other Auburn Speedsters. Do you recognize the background? If you have attended any of the annual ACD Club Reunions you would know that is the Court House in downtown Auburn, Indiana.
 

News of Interest Relating to ACD Cars

Year of the Unrestored Car

”The Year of the Unrestored Car” is the theme for the 2012 Auburn Cord Duesenberg Clubs National Reunion. Original, Preserved and Authentic are some of the adjectives used to describe the cars that are part of the latest trend in automobile collecting, the “Unrestored Car”.

Jay Leno shown here with his Unrestored
1927 Duesenberg Model X Town Car

These Original and still Unrestored cars establish the rules and set the guidelines for the restoration process. David Burroughs of “Bloomington Gold Corvette” fame has been promoting Unrestored Cars since the 1970’s. In 1989 he created standards for judging Original Unrestored Corvettes. At that time he coined the phrase “Survivor” and went on to register it, and “Benchmark” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Burroughs passion did not stop with the Corvette. His appreciation for “Survivors” lead him to create America’s only event for Unrestored – Original Cars. This unique event, "Survivor Collector Car Show" is held each June in St. Charles, Illinois.

According to ACD Club President, Wm. Cord Hummel, credit for the 2012 theme goes to Chris Summers. Chris, being one of the clubs past Duesenberg historian’s, he naturally appreciated the historical value associated with an original car. It did not take much convincing for the ACD Club to get on board with Chris’ plans to honor the Unrestored ACD Cars and their owners. You can restore a car many - many times, but they are Only Original Once.

This years ACD Club’s National Reunion will again be held over Labor Day weekend, like it is every year, in Auburn, Indiana. As a young guy of 21 years, with my newly purchased '71 Corvette, I made my inaugural trip to Auburn in 1978. It would not be until 2002 that I would make my first trip to Auburn, in an Auburn Speedster. For some crazy reason I did not take my Auburn in 2003... that will never happen again. The event draws 350-500 Auburn, Cords and Duesenbergs automobiles each year. There is definitely a magic to being in Auburn with your car.

Visit our "Reunion- What Where and When" page to get a feel for what the ACD Clubs Annual Reunion is all about. It is still proudly billed as the Greatest Classic Car Show in the World. Make plans to attend and Bring Your Car, better yet, Drive It!

More 2012 ACD Club Events

”Meet Me in St. Louis” May 10-13, St. Louis, Mo., Contact: Chad Thomas / Thomas Quick - teg56@yahoo.com

“Back to Avon” 58^th Annual Eastern Spring Meet" May 24-27, Hershey, Pa., Contact: Thomas Lee / Bob Esten – tomlee72@me.com

“Auburn Warm-Up Meet” June 8-10, Auburn, Indiana, Contact: gfrownfelter@msn.com

"Northern California Meet / Palo Alto Concours" June 23-24, Palo Alto, California, Contact: Bob Pease – peasedesign@mac.com

“Can Am Regional Meet” July 11-14, Davison, Michigan. Contact: Al Hatch – auburnpat@gmail.com

”Mountain Haunt Regional Meet” November 2-4, Barboursville, West Virginia, Contact: Chris Summers – theduesenbergkid@gmail.com

They are still ON SALE and as you can imagine...
  These AUBURN's  are Going Fast!

1935 Auburn 851 Boattail Speedster 1:24th scale plastic kits produced by Lindberg. These kits are no longer being produced. These are New Old Stock items. Regular Price $14, Now Just $9 plus shipping  email us to order

Advertise your Auburn, Cord or Duesenberg in the "Speedster Market Place". Cost per ad is $39.00 for three months or $59.00 for a Run until you Sell listing. Advertise your Auburn, Cord or Duesenberg Car and or your ACD Parts today. If you are looking for an Auburn, Cord or Duesenberg Car or a particular Part, try a placing a "Wanted" ad. Visit the Speedster Market Place for ACD Cars being Offered For Sale

We need your Auburn Speedster

We still need photo's of your Auburn Speedster. Please send us some picture's for our Photo Gallery. Everyone enjoys looking at pictures of the Auburn Speedster... YOU certainly do or you would not be on the website right now. Show Cars, Drivers, Projects Started,  Projects Abandoned, Wrecks... We love them all. If you have an unusual Auburn related item that would work in the AUBURNmobilia Gallery send us photo's of it too! Your Auburn Speedster could be selected as the next Speedster of the Month!

April 2012

Bruce Willis and James Gardner

What do these two guys have to do with "News of Interest Relating to ACD Cars"... not a lot by themselves, but when Bruce Willis stars as Tom Mix along side James Garner as Wyatt Earp ACD Cars do appear. I ran across the movie "Sunset" at a yard sale. It is a Blake Edwards film from 1998 so I figured it could not be too bad and for a only a Buck (VHS) how could I go wrong.

While Tom Mix, being cast as the Legendary Wyatt Earp, is shooting a movie, with the real Wyatt Earp as the technical expert, they happen upon a mysterious murder. Old West and New Hollywood collide as the two set out to solve a murder.

The movie is filled with 1930's "Early Hollywood" Nostalgia; Movie Moguls, Movie Stars, Mansions, Private Clubs, lots of great Art Deco decor and of course beautiful automobiles, including two Duesenbergs and an Auburn Speedster driven by Bruce Willis as Tom Mix. 

Mix was Hollywoods Hottest Action Hero at that time. He was known for his portrayal of Cowboys, the Good Guys, the ones that wear the white hats. Wyatt Earp, of Tombstone fame, would later settle in Hollywood and became a consultant for many of the early westerns. Tom Mix died Oct. 12, 1940 while driving his Yellow Cord Phaeton at such a high rate of speed that he did not notice a sign warning that a bridge was out. His Cord has been restored and is now in the hands of an active ACD Club member.

April 2012

How Fast will it Go

I thoroughly enjoyed watching another great “Car Guy” movie this past weekend, “The Boys of Bonneville”. The movie depicts the racing life of Ab Jenkins and his son Marvin. The Boys of Bonneville is a wonderful documentary that tells the story of the early Land Speed Endurance Races that took place on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the 1930’s. Many claim that Ab Jenkins is responsible for the original and the continued interest and success of Bonneville Salt Flat Racing.

Ab Jenkins was a building contractor by trade but his love of Speed and Endurance is what drove him. How fast will it go? That is what Ab Jenkins always wanted to know. Great historical film footage and a mix of narratives tell the Ab Jenkins story, from his start at local racing tracks, to his factory involvement with Pierce Arrow, Auburn, Duesenberg and later General Motors Pontiac division. Ab Jenkins has set more World Class Records than any other human being. Many of his Speed and Endurance records still stand today.

For Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg enthusiast this is a must see movie. There is a lot of rare film footage of early Indianapolis racing with the Duesenberg Brothers and their later involvement with Ab Jenkins and his Mormon Meteor I, II and III.

This 81 minute movie was originally shown last year in Wendover, Utah during the 2011 Speedweek and again at Pebble Beach in Carmel, California. If you missed both of those showings like me, you are in luck. The DVD is available for purchase at http://www.boysofbonneville.com

March 2012

California Custom Coach a website update!

Pat, from the New California Custom Coach of Texas called me the other day to update me of a change to the URL used to access their website. I told her I would be glad to pass it on. California Custom Coach's website is now: www.california-custom-coach.com  If you have not visited with them on line you should do so, they have a great website. Looking at purchasing a New Speedster or needing parts for one the original California Custom Coach 876 Speedsters? Contact with Pat or Alex, aec@california-custom-coach.com

February 2012

Super-Charged Pipes

Just recently I had a reader ask me why are there so many variations in those wonderful external exhaust pipes. That is actually a good question. I am sure other admirers of the Auburn Speedster have wondered the same thing.

Welcome to "Auburn Super-Charged Pipes 101". The original 1935 851 and 1936 852 Auburn automobiles that were enhanced with Super Chargers used the side exiting exhaust pipes. Because they were powered by Lycoming straight eight engines the exhaust system exited from the drivers side only through four exhaust pipes that were covered in a coiled stainless steel flexible cover. Two of the four pipes turned down and ran down the side panel and turned under the car near the cowl. The other two pipes of the turned down and exited through the fender. The passenger side had utilized louvered trim.

In 1969 Glenn Pray's Auburn Cord Duesenberg Co. put the Auburn Speedster (model 866),  back into limited production. His cars were powered by big block Ford V8's. He insisted on functional side exhaust pipes. Use of a V8 engine required side exhaust pipes on both driver and passenger side. Glenn's cars were equipped with custom cast iron exhaust manifolds that allowed two pipes on each side to exit through the side panels and then through the fenders. Because the 866 Speedsters were not Super Charged Glenn never used the "Super-Charged" name plates on the hood like the original cars. The original 1937 Cord 812 was V8 powered and used a two pipe per side setup. As other Auburn Speedster manufacturers, without Glenn Pray's approval, started building cars they had their own ideas on how the Super-Charged pipes should be laid out. They also decided that it was not important to actually function. I do not know of any Speedsters other than Glenn's 866 cars that had functional side pipe exhaust. Most of the other manufacturers used four pipes per side, some early California Custom Coach built cars, for some unknown reason, used three pipes per side. I have seen some reproduction Speedsters with the correct exhaust pipe configuration. Kudos' to the owners and or  builders that knew what the original cars looked like and wanted a more authentic look to their cars.

January 2012

Another Twenty Grand

The year is 1933, the place is the Chicago's Worlds Fair, "A Century of Progress". The exhibit garnering all of the excitement was coming from the Travel and Transportation Buildings where millions of people viewed what is considered to be the most stunning Duesenberg ever built,  the 1933 "Twenty Grand". Designed by Gordon Buehrig and produced by coach builder Rollston Body Company, exclusively for the 1933 Worlds Fair, the Platinum Silver Sedan was priced far beyond the reach of most all who saw it. The price tag was a bold $20,000, thus earning it's name, "The Twenty Grand". It was the only Arlington Torpedo bodied SJ Duesenberg Sedan ever produced.


The Twenty Grand is now the center piece of the J.B Nethercutt Collection in San Sylmar, California. I was very fortunate to have been able to view the Twenty Grand and this wonderful collection back in the late 1980's. Since then the collection has continued to grow in stature and size and now houses 130 Classic Automobiles as part of the Merle Norman Nethercutt Museum.

Owning the original Twenty Grand will definitely not be happening for most of us, but there is a chance of owning a Beautiful recreation of it, the Twenty Grand II. This Stunning, one of one, recreation will be offered later this month at the Russo and Steele Collector Car Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona January 18th - 22nd. To read more about the the New Twenty Grand and the people behind the project visit www.1933twentygrand.com

January 2012

A New Years Resolution

One of my New Year resolutions  is to avoid doing stuff that I don't enjoy... Yeah I know, Good Luck with that one. Part of that plan though is to do more of what I do enjoy, you guessed it - Car Stuff! To start things off I decided one evening to just lounge around my very traditional, yet totally inefficient, energy wasting, all masonry stone fireplace, while using my laptop to do a little web surfing as I  burn lots of dead trees.

I managed to visit most of my usual Favorite Places, eventually landing at www.youtube.com YouTube is a great web stop for Car Guys who just can't get enough of a good thing. Using YouTube is easy;  just type into the search window key words like, "Auburn Speedster", "Cord 810" or "Cord 812", "Duesenberg", "Auburns For Sale". Your search will result in a variety of amateur and professionally shot videos ranging from a mere 15-30 seconds up to 3 minutes and more.

The resulting video's will include local and major Car Shows, Collector Car Auctions, Concours events, Restoration's in progress and Proud owners taking you along for rides in their ACD Cars, the subject matter is endless. How about a "Turbine Powered" Auburn Speedster test run, you probably will not find it anywhere else.

Another good web stop is www.imcdb.org "Internet Movie Cars Database", The site allows you to search by vehicle to see which movies they have appeared in. Auburns, Cords and Duesenberg's have shown up in many movies, new and old. The 1937 movie "Love is News" has a great chase scene with a 810/812 Cord and an Auburn Speedster. A clip of this chase can also be found on YouTube.

December 2011

California Custom Coach at Vegas SEMA Show

If you fortunate enough to have attended the (SEMA) Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association  trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada last month, hopefully you stopped by and said "Hi" to Alex and Pat Christodulidis, the new owners of California Custom Coach. I heard that they were busy discussing and demonstrating all of the new features of their totally reengineered Auburn 876 Speedsters. Their new Auburn's are now being produced in Texas, www.california-custom-coach.com

October 2011

Tremendous, Colossal, Lavish and Monumental

The Red Baron has very little to do with Auburn Speedsters... unless they are offering one for auction, but it is such a fun and unique place that whenever I am in the Atlanta, Georgia area I have to stop in and view their latest treasures. The inventory at the Red Baron is always so over the top you never know what you will find. I just missed their most recent auction, October 13-15th, not that I would be buying anything, but copies of the auction catalogs were still available. The catalog cover reads; "Tremendous, Colossal, Lavish, Monumental, Copious, Huge and Great" as some of the descriptors used to promote the items that were recently auctioned. That pretty much described everything found in the multiple buildings and outdoor areas at the Red Baron. As always I was packing the camera so I clicked off a few photo's. If you happen to be in the Roswell / Sandy Springs area of Atlanta and love looking at the toys of the Rich and possibly the Famous, then take a couple of hours and visit the Red Baron. www.rbantiques.com

October 2011

AACA Hershey Fall Meet - It was Sweet!

They say Hershey, Pennsylvania is the "Sweetest Place on Earth" if you Love Chocolate and Old Cars... They, (who ever "They" are...) also say that "All Roads Lead to Hershey". From the thousands of Old Car Enthusiasts that show up each year I believe it.

My 1st trip to Hershey was in 1973. My Dad had purchased a new Cadillac Sedan DeVille earlier that year and he was anxious to get it out on the Road. That sounded like a good idea to me. I was 16 years old and armed with a fresh Drivers License. I could hardly wait to get behind the wheel of the Caddy. Our Nations New 55 mph Speed Limit was in effect and while everyone else in the country was cursing the new law, driving at 55 mph was pretty exciting for a 16 year old kid. Upon arriving in Hershey we were greeted with Rain, lots of Rain. The forecast for the entire weekend was Rain. Our First day was spent waiting for a break in the weather, which never happened. By day Two, my Dad and I could not stand it any longer. Armed with umbrella's only, we experienced our 1st Hershey Show... in the Rain and Mud, lots of Mud. 

I have attended Hershey many times since and have experienced every thing that Mother Nature has to offer, Good and Bad. This years Show was Blessed with Sunshine,  a Clear Sky and Wonder Fall Temperatures. Hershey was definitely the "Sweetest Place on Earth" this year. As always, I snapped plenty of Sweet Photo's. Take a Look!

October 2011

California Custom Coach - The Tradition Continues

California Custom Coach, creator of the Auburn 876 Speedster, built turn key cars and offered kits in the 1970's and 80's. They were located in the Pasadena, California area. During that time a young man living in Geneva, Switzerland, Alex Christodulidis, was quite taken by the California Custom Coach 876 Speedsters Classic Car styling and the modern  conveniences that were being built into them. He dreamed of someday owning an 876 Auburn Speedster, but he never dreamed of one day owning the Company.

Fast Forward to 2010, Alex would learn that the California Custom Coach company, with it's patterns, molds, hundreds of blue prints and a large inventory of unused parts was being offered for sale. He did not hesitate, he bought all of it and immediately started a plan to put his dream car back into production.

The tradition continues, but now in North Texas. California Custom Coach (CCC) is back. They are again offering factory built Speedsters and parts for owners of existing 876 Auburns.

From recent conversations with the new owners I can tell that they are excited and very enthusiastic with the companies start up. Their goal is to offer a world class automobile. You can read more about the New California Custom Coach company and their New Auburn at www.california-custom-coach.com  They have just recently added a video of their new car in motion. It looks Great! Check it out.

September 2011

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club's 56th Reunion

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club celebrated it's 56th Annual Reunion  in Auburn, Indiana over the long Labor Day weekend. This year also marks the 75th Anniversary of the 810 Cord. The Iconic American Classic's popularity is probably stronger today than it was 75 years ago. Front Wheel Drive, Unit-Body Construction, No Running Boards, Hidden Radiator, Disappearing Headlights  and a Gordon Buehrig Styled body were just a few of the Modern if not Futuristic Styling and Mechanical features of the 1936 and 1937 Cords. Many of these new Cord features would not be seen on other cars for decades.

Earlier this year invitations went out to owners of 1936 and 1937 Cords to participate in the “Back Home Again to Indiana” Convoy. This all Cord touring event was coordinated by Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Members Bob Coleman and Josh Malks,  The tour was designed to be able to leave from Any Place USA and join the Back Home Again Convoy at designated meeting points. Participating Cords all arrived at this years Reunion together.

Read more about this years ACD Festival and view a few hundred photo's of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Clubs 56th Annual Reunion and associated events

September 2011

Honoring Glenn Pray in Auburn

The Glenn Pray Auburn Cord Group paid tribute to the late Glenn Pray over the Labor Day weekend at this years Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival. There was a Thursday evening get together at Oscar Roberts restored Sinclair Service Station / Museum and an early Friday night dinner with Glenn's family before heading downtown to the Auburn Hotel and Town Square for the traditional ACD Club's 9th Street gathering. On Saturday morning many of Glenn's Second Generation Auburn's and Cords were displayed in Eckhart Park along with hundreds of Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg automobiles as part of the ACD Clubs 56th Reunion. The Saturday Car Show and Parade was open to the public again this year.

To learn more about the Glenn Pray Auburn Cord Group you can contact Felix DeGeyter. email Felix at: felixdegeyter@yahoo.com

World Wide Auctions offered for sale two of Glenn's cars that same weekend.  At auction was his Restored 1930 L29 Cord and his Beautiful 1932 Auburn Boattail Speedster.

The Man Who Brought Legends to Life; Glenn Pray, President and Owner of the Auburn - Cord - Duesenberg Company for the past 50 years, passed away on March 23rd. Services were held at Christ United Methodist Church, 3515 S. Harvard, Tulsa, Oklahoma on Monday March 28th at 11:00 am

  "Click Here"   For More News of Interest Relating to ACD Cars
 

Your Auburn Speedster Projects and Garages

We have added some new pages to our website. They are part of our revised, Auburn Speedster Photo Galleries page. These new and revised pages will again feature photo's of your Auburn Speedsters along with photo's of your cars in various stages of build, rebuild  and or  restoration. Even if it is just a modification that you would like to share we are interested. email photo's of your current and or past Auburn Speedster projects. Please include a short description of your car and what work is being performed. We can all learn from your shared experiences. If you have a Neat Garage that you would like showcased email us at least three quality photo's. We will be glad to post them in the new Garage and Man Cave Gallery. What else is sharing parking space with your Speedster? Send us your Photo's. Visit our New Photo Galleries!

Remember! We still need more Auburn Gallery Photos

Be sure to send us photo's of your Auburn Speedster for the Photo Gallery. We need some new additions. Everyone enjoys viewing photo's of the Auburn Speedster. You do or you would not be on the website right now. Show Cars, Drivers, Projects Started,  Projects Abandoned, Wrecks... We love them all. If you have an Un-Usual Auburn related item that would work in the AUBURNmobilia Gallery send us photo's of it too! Your Auburn Speedster me be selected as the next Speedster of the Month!

Auburn Speedster Parts and Collectibles For Sale!

Visit our Swap Meet's "Auburn Building" and The Speedster Market Place for Parts and Collectibles relating to Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs.

The Man Who Brought Legends to Life

Glenn Pray's book, "The Man Who Brought Legends to Life", has is now into it's third printing. This new edition has added a collage of photo's depicting Glenn, his family, his cars and his airplanes to the inside front and rear covers. The Book is a Great read for anyone with an interest the Glenn Pray Story; his purchase of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Company and putting the Cord and Auburn Speedster back into production. These Books available on our website. They are $60 each, includes shipping and insurance within the Continental USA. email us for your copy.

Also available in Paper Back for $24.00 includes Shipping and Insurance

Glenn Pray 50th Anniversary Merchandise

Glenn Pray's Auburn Cord Duesenberg Co. 50th Anniversary Merchandise is still available. Follow the link to view Souvenir Hats, Shirts, Ceramic Cups and more. Glenn Pray Anniversary Merchandise