Among the most elite of American Classics, the Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster was produced for only a single year, 1933. Surely ranking as the sportiest offering from Auburn, it combined the brute power of its Lycoming V-12 engine with Alan Leamy’s striking “boattail” design featuring endless chrome trim, unique headlamps and dashboard, as well as its iconic Salon “ribbon” bumpers. It is believed nine Twelve Salon Speedsters were produced by the factory, with only a handful still in existence.

Wearing an original eight-cylinder Auburn speedster body, the example presented here rides on an original 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Twelve chassis (previously numbered 192) and is powered by a correct, Lycoming V-12 engine (number BB 2317U). Its history can be traced back to the early 1970s, when the body and chassis were acquired from the William Harrah Automobile collection by Auburn-enthusiast Frank Pfenninger. He would combine the chassis and body with an engine from his own Salon Twelve Phaeton, but ultimately never finish the project.

The car then passed to well-known collector Terry Radey of Ontario, Canada. Opting not to restore the car, Radey sold it to a collector who commissioned Bud Hicks of Marshall, Michigan to perform a full restoration. In 2000, the speedster was sold to David Graham of California who presented it at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that same year.

It then passed to Richard Wesselink who commissioned another refurbishment in the deep, two-tone red over black leather trim it wears today. The serial number tag was also changed to 1935 E, as would be correct for a 12-cylinder speedster. The car went on to be awarded Best Auburn and Best of Show at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club’s West Coast prior to its acquisition by the Adderley Collection.

Ideal for further showing in Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club events and various concours d’elegance, this is a striking example of one of the most iconic American Classics.