Making its debut in 1931, the Alan Leamy-designed Boattail Speedster was by far the most sporting member of Auburn’s new product lineup. Its bold, subtly tapered radiator shell, high hood line, and diminutive and steeply raked V-windscreen atop a rounded cowl flowed perfectly through the cockpit into elegant compound curves to a sharply angled tail. With the Speedster, E.L. Cord gave Auburn a new calling card that, as intended, elevated the popularity of the entire Auburn line, driving traffic to showrooms across the US. The cars were lauded in the press with Business Week declaring that the new Auburns were more car for the money than the public had ever seen.

In response to their impressive speed and style, demand for Auburns grew exponentially, and the company posted robust sales through the early years of the Great Depression. Mr. Cord then outdid his own best efforts when, in 1932, he debuted the new Auburn V-12 with prices starting under $1,000. This is the same category of Auburn that broke every existing stock car speed record from 1–500 miles in 1932, becoming the champion class B production car for that year. Among the impressive numbers it achieved at Muroc Dry Lake during these AAA Contest Board runs was a flying mile at 100.77 mph. The Speedster then continued breaking records by the dozen, including the grueling 500-mile record at an average of 88.95 mph. This was more than an impressive debut for the V-12’s performance and reliability, and many of these records would remain unbroken until after WWII.

The striking Boattail Speedster offered here is finished in black and silver with a complementing black leather interior, with its history known for much of the past 60 years. It was discovered for sale in Atlanta in 1963 and has been in an enthusiast’s hands in the years since. Beginning in the late 1970s, it received a cosmetic restoration, finished in two shades of red, and in 1982 it was chosen to lead the ACD parade in Auburn, Indiana, during the club’s annual festivities. Soon thereafter, the Auburn joined the much admired Florida-based collection of Bill Lassiter via respected classic car collector Tom Crook of Washington. Then in 1999, in the ownership of noted lifelong collector Robert Pass, the Speedster was thoroughly inspected by the ACD Club’s certification team and was granted Category-1 status.

In the early 2000s, following a refinish in its present colors by Twin Brooks Restoration Inc. of Suffield, Connecticut, under the ownership of Californiabased collector Dale Fowler, the Speedster was reacquired by Mr. Crook, and was mechanically restored by Murray Motor Car in Monroe, Washington. The extensive work reportedly included a chassis refurbishment, brake service, suspension work, and a restoration of the Columbia dual ratio differential.

Interestingly, the Auburn sports six 16" drop-enter chrome wire wheels, rather than the 17" units typically fitted to the model, lowering the car, which may be to improve its road manners at speed.

Joining The Tony Vincent Estate Collection in 2008, this Speedster has continued to receive expert care; it has enjoyed pride of place during Mr. Vincent’s 14 years with the car, having been seen in public only minimally.

Presented here is a respected and well-known CCCA Full Classic, perfect for CARavans, vintage rallies, and tours as well as gatherings overseas, where it is sure to be a most unusual, yet capable entry. With its design as exciting today as when it first debuted, and in light of the model’s newsworthy recordbreaking performance, this Auburn represents a rare opportunity for the most enlightened collector.