This well-documented 1932 Auburn Special started life as one of 13 Auburn Speedster Model 8-100As manufactured in 1932. The original body was reportedly damaged shortly after purchase and it was rebuilt in the mid-30s as a Special for the purpose of competing in the Indianapolis 500s new (but short-lived) two-man formula. It apparently did not compete at Indy. It was purchased by Ted Weiss around WWII and then sold to Nelson Thorpe. Bruce Fleischmann and Milt Johnson of B & M Speed Shop acquired the car in the early 1950s and fitted it with an early-version Buick Roadmaster engine and custom intake log/linkage set featuring 4 two-barrel Rochester carbs. A 3-speed synchronized transmission was sourced from a 1937 GMC pickup. Along with the original, rare and desirable Columbia 2-speed rear end, the Auburn has six forward speeds. According to the cars extensive provenance filewhich will accompany the carthe Auburn was well-known in the East Coast post-war dirt track racing circuit. The Auburn took a break from dirt track racing between the mid-1950s and the 1990s, during which time it was raced by Bob Duell. During Duells ownership the Auburn was featured in several racing publications and was the feature entry in the Pittsburgh Grand Prix. The Auburn was eventually acquired by California Classix, a Ventura speed and restoration shop. While at CC, the Auburn was sympathetically refurbished to its early 1950s presentation. Among other things, CC repainted the Auburn, fitted it with 20 Dayton wires, nickel plated the brightwork, and rebuilt the mechanicals. The car retains its original frame, chassis, steering wheel, steel-draulic brakes, dashboard and other original Auburn Speedster features. In 2010, the Auburn was traded to an East Coast collector in exchange for a 1947 Jaguar Dunsmore Special; a 1973 Maserati Bora; and a 1955 Austin-Healey. It was purchased by collector and Great Racer Jerome Reinan in 2013.
In 2014, Reinan shipped the Auburn to specialist rebuilder Hot Rod Shop of Fargo for a replacement 1939 Buick Roadmaster 320 motor, which was bored, ported and polished. The head was milled for increased compression. Reinan ran the Auburn in two successive 2500-mile Great Races. Afterward, the car was shipped to Mile High Performance and Dyno Tuning in Denver for high altitude setup and carb rebuild. The Dyno revealed approximately 300 crankshaft horsepower, which is an amazing feat from a 1930s Buick Eight.
As noted in the provenance materials, this car is really the quintessential pre-war Specialbuilt during the ARCA period and certainly one of the oldestperhaps the oldestof its kind in existence. Think BuMerc, Reo Blanco, Mormon Meteor, Old Grey Mare, etc.
The Auburn is fully sorted and ready to run any vintage rally or racing event or just sit proudly on display in your collection.
Price: $139,999
More info: Click here to see original eBay auction and get more information (Affiliate link)
Seller's other items: Weisco Motorcars LTD (Affiliate link)
Location: Denver, Colorado, United States
