Businessman Errett Lobban Cord sought to take the Auburn Automobile Company, a small and struggling Indiana automaker, to national prominence. One of his many successes was the development of the Auburn Speedster, which was intended as a showroom draw that would be built and sold in limited numbers to attract new customers. Its racy bodywork, styled by the great Alan Leamy, featured a dramatic tapering rear end and angled doors, appearing to have been shaped by the force of the car’s power.

The Speedster, which was adapted from a Duesenberg show car bodied by McFarlan, was a performance icon that was advertised as “the biggest package in the world for the price”. As it sold for under $1,000 but offered a remarkable top speed of 100 mph, thanks to special chassis and engine modifications unique to this model, it became a legend in its own time. Not only did it make everything else look old-fashioned overnight, but it also had an emphasis on open-air performance for two passengers, making it the only true American sports car of its time. Indeed, early Auburn Speedsters were raced on two continents, appealing to such European drivers as Sir Malcolm Campbell, who drove one as a road car.

The 8-90 Eight Speedster offered here was acquired by Mr. Heiss in 1955 from Bill Bailey of New Jersey, an elevator repairman. Vintage photographs, treasured by the Heiss Family, depict Mr. Heiss retrieving the car from the woods where it had been parked, in much the same condition in which it is seen today. Interestingly, the car has long been accompanied by an unattributed story, that it was owned and driven by George Putnam, the famous New York publisher and widower of Amelia Earhart. Mr. Putnam is known to have owned a first generation Auburn Speedster, and to have had a home in New Jersey near where this car was found; nonetheless, no concrete evidence exists to support his ownership of this Auburn.

The Speedster retains the front portion of its original body, including much of the original body wood, as well as what is believed to be the original engine. While a number cannot be discerned on the chassis after so many years, the records of ACD historian Randy Ema record this car as having been chassis no. 2975585, with an engine number matching the one that is clearly the original and present unit of this car. Thus it is firmly believed that this is the original chassis, engine, and partial body for this Auburn.

An ideal basis for ambitious restoration, given the rarity and value of its components and its origins as a genuine 8-90 Speedster, this car is an extraordinary opportunity to purchase and return to life a fascinating Auburn. It is one of the most exciting “barn finds” to have been uncovered in years, and is available for sale here from the family that has treasured and kept it from harm for the last six decades!