125 hp, 298 cu. in. inline eight-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 130"

- Thorough four-year, mechanical restoration

- Only 100 miles since rebuild

Introduced in 1930, the 8-125 was the result of the systematic evolution of the 1925, 8-88 chassis frame, fitted with a powerful 298 cubic inch straight-eight engine built by Lycoming. It was in 1928 that an earlier car with a smaller engine, the 8-115 Auburn Speedster, delivered a record-breaking 108.46 over the measured mile at Daytona. The same car also drove in 24 hours an astonishing 2,033 miles at Atlantic City averaging 84.7mph. Even though the 8-115 was only marginally slower than the Stutz Blackhawk, it was being sold for two-fifths the price! This would become the reputation that would, for a time, safeguard Auburn from the merciless effects of the Depression. In fact, in 1929 the market crash was not felt by Auburn as it managed to finish the year with record sales!

The 8-98 was considered the best possible value available in an automobile as it offered customers standard features reserved to cars several times its price. So successful was the 8-98 that sales in 1931 tied those of 1929, and Auburn soon adopted the slogan “What Depression?!” However the success of the 8-98 was not to last, and eventually the Depression would swallow Auburn, as it did to so many other fine automotive companies of the era. By the end of 1937 Auburn simply was no more.

The 1930 Auburn 8-125 Cabriolet offered here is handsome in red and black, with a black soft top, rumble seat and golf bag door. Fitted with a black leather interior, it has six new wide whitewalls, wire wheels, dual side-mount spares and a wood-trimmed luggage rack. A recipient of a complete and thorough restoration in the mid-1990s, it remains in outstanding condition. As of 2005, the current owner has also completely rebuilt the engine, fitted a correct carburetor and replaced the radiator core amongst other things. With only 100 miles since restoration, this car presents very well, and we are informed it has been well sorted mechanically.