At a time when most car companies considered body design to be secondary, E.L. Cord’s Auburn Cord Duesenberg Company was setting new standards. With talented designers like Gordon Buehrig and Alan Leamy, the company was able to hold its own in an otherwise disastrous Depression-era market, proving once and for all that good design sells cars.

Auburn’s role was to provide a mid-range car with innovative engineering and smart styling at an affordable price, and by all measures the company succeeded. With all new styling by Leamy for 1931, the new Auburns were a big hit – more than 4,000 orders were taken at the New York Auto Show alone. Few changes were made for 1932, although the most important was the adoption of the Columbia two-speed rear axle as standard equipment on all models. Auburns offered exceptional value; an article in Fortune Magazine proclaimed “the biggest package in the world for the price.”

Showing a distinct two-tone light gray with maroon beltline and fenders color scheme, the Auburn 12-160 Convertible Sedan offered here is well-equipped, fitted with its original rear-mounted trunk, dual sidemounted spare tires with accessory mirrors. Other correct items include the headlamps, dual exterior mounted horns, twin steering controlled Pilot Ray foglamps, cowllights, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewall tires and proper original gauges surrounded by engine-turned dash detailing.

With its superlative Lycoming 391.6-cid, 160-hp 12-cylinder engine and Columbia dual ratio rear axle, this Auburn will be capable of touring with modern traffic while offering all the style, elegance and allure that characterized Leamy’s wonderful work. It is stylish, comfortable and intrinsically valuable and will only continue to appreciate in all areas. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club is certainly welcoming of this example, and as a Classic Car Club of America Full Classic, it is eligible for the many shows and CARavans.