1931 Auburn 8-98A Cabriolet

269ci Lycoming Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Carburetor
98bhp at 3,600rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Offered from the Estate of Robert L. Byers
*Handsome and sporting Eight-cylinder Auburn in Cabriolet style
*Striking Silver, black and red livery
*CCCA Full Classic®

THE AUBURN AUTOMOBILE CO

The Auburn Automobile Company grew out of the Eckhart Carriage Company in Auburn, Indiana. Founded in 1874 by Charles Eckhart, a flourishing carriage business was forged by the time he handed reins over to his sons Frank and Morris. Seeing the writing on the wall for the horse and buggy, the brothers Eckhart went into the car business in 1900. Developing a number of sensible, reliable tourers, the company was sold in 1918 to a Chicago-based consortium with the focus of the brand placed on their six-cylinder line. The timing proved poor as the post-WWI depression hit the company hard. By 1924, Auburn was facing insolvency. It was at this point the great E.L. Cord entered the picture.

Initially hired as general manager, he also purchased a controlling interest in the company. Finding himself with a lot of 700 unsold Auburns, he quickly went to sprucing the cars up with extra nickel plating and lower, sportier tops, eventually selling the whole lot for a $500,000 profit. He worked his magic to begin building up a dealer network as well as spurring the development of an eight-cylinder motor to fit in the old six-piston chassis.

The Lycoming developed eight-cylinder engine would become the basis for the 1925 Model 8-88. The 276-cid 60hp straight eight became the basis for what would form the architecture of every Auburn that followed. With the new, powerful 8-88, Auburn went racing with Stutz the primary target of its efforts. While often coming in second to the Car that Made Good in a Day, the Auburn still very much came in first when it came to value, as the list price of an Auburn was less than half of that of a Stutz.

In 1928, Auburn replaced the 8-88 with the 8-115. Under the hood was a 299-cid straight eight that made 115hp, two more than Stutz's eight cylinder. Just as significant as the muscle under the hood was the new exterior looks. The Speedster, making its debut on the 8-115, was like nothing else at the time. A sharply raked V-type windshield sat atop a long hood and high beltline, ending in a tapered tail. Sitting still, it looked fast. And that was the factory body, not a special one-off from a coachbuilder! Hydraulic brakes made their debut as well, bring the whole affair to a swift stop. All of this, and for only $2,195—in contrast to nearly $5,000 needed to put a Stutz Black Hawk in your garage. One of the original owners of the 8-115 was Malcolm Campbell, who was certainly one for swift machinery!

Sales boomed and in 1929 Auburn sold 22,000 cars, a 1000% leap from before Cord was brought on. The start of the Great Depression caused a dip in the sales totals in 1930, but 1931 proved to be a record year with 28,103 cars sold. Primary to that success was the 8-98.

The 8-98 featured a 268.6-cid version of the venerable Lycoming straight eight producing 98hp. On top, even more raking and sporting bodywork was fitted. Underneath the skin, the first use of X-bracing on a rear-wheel drive car was featured, along with Bijur lubrications, Lovejoy hydraulic shocks, semi-elliptical suspension all-around, and an optional L.G.S. Freewheeling unit. Priced from $945-1395, it is little wonder that Fortune magazine went on to call it "the biggest package in the world for the price."


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Offered here from the 1931 model-year 8-98A eight-cylinder Auburn offerings is a stunning 2-door Cabriolet version, arguably one of the most sporting designs for the era. The car is nicely optioned with dual side-mounted spare wheels, an accessory trunk and rack, dual chrome horns and driving lamps. The silver-grey Cabriolet body is neatly contrasted by black fenders, and red pinstripe wire wheels adds a stunning dash of color to the livery. The sporting Auburn 8-98A joined the esteemed collection of the late Robert L. Byers in 2011 and has since been kept in the climate-controlled showroom housing the remarkable collection of Classic Era automobiles.

Because of the significance Auburns represent, all eight-cylinder examples are recognized as CCCA Full Classics® and are eligible for all events held by the Classic Car Club of America. A fine example certain to impress on long CCCA Caravan tours, yet also appropriate for inclusion at any Concours d'Elegance, the Auburn is a supremely desirable addition to any discerning collection of fine Classic motorcars.