The Auburn Company was founded in 1900 and enjoyed early success. Like many manufacturers, it experienced intense competition in the early 1920s. Near failure, the company was rescued by E.L. Cord. He changed production to offer great-looking cars with fancy features, while keeping prices reasonable with thrifty manufacturing standards. The success of Auburn helped Cord build a financial base to acquire Duesenberg and Lycoming Engine, and then to launch a new car bearing his name.

From its sharp color scheme to its geometric styling, this car is Art Deco to its core. Its “boattail” was modeled after the styling of speedboats popular at the time. The sporty look was an intentional marketing tool designed to lure people to the Auburn salesroom. Once through the doors, customers could see and buy another—perhaps more practical—vehicle.

More from our automobile collection:

In our current exhibit, From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, we present the origin story of the American automobile through 23 cars from Heritage’s permanent collection of antique and classic automobiles. Come along for a ride from the late 1800s to the 1960s and watch the car evolve from a horseless carriage to a streamlined symbol of freedom and independence.