Beschreibung
Please Note: For sale by live auction on August 18th at Webb's Auction House, Normanby Road, Auckland. All vehicles included in the sale will be available for viewing prior to the sale. Details listed below. To register or for further information please follow the link.
Chassis no: 6758 (or 3)
Engine no: WF3245
The Auburn was in its time a car with high society associations and even today, it is highly sought after. It began as the Auburn Automobile Company grew out of the Eckhart Carriage Company, founded in Auburn, Indiana, in 1874 by Charles Eckhart (1841-1915). Eckhart’s sons, Frank and Morris, experimented making automobiles before entering the business in earnest, absorbing two other local carmakers and moving into a larger plant in 1909. The enterprise was modestly successful until materials shortages during World War I forced the plant to close. In 1919, the Eckhart brothers sold the company to a group of Chicago investors.
The new owners revived the business but failed to realise their anticipated profits and in 1924, approached Errett Lobban Cord (1894-1974), a highly successful automobile salesman, with an offer to run the company. Cord countered with an offer to take over completely in what amounted to a leveraged buyout and the Chicago group accepted. Cord aggressively marketed the company’s unsold inventory and completed his buyout before the end of 1925. But styling and engineering failed to overcome the fact that Cord’s vehicles were too expensive for the Depression-era market and stock manipulations would force him to give up control of his car companies. Under injunction from the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission to refrain from further violations, Cord sold his shares in his automobile holding company. In 1937, the production of Auburns, along with that of Cords and Duesenbergs, ended.
This particular example was found in a field in New Zealand in the 1950s and was faithfully restored by its owner and sole keeper over a 10-year period. Whilst essentially a left-hand drive vehicle some were made for right-hand drive markets such as South Africa, India and Australia. We are reliably advised that five or six Auburns currently reside here. The 654 was the smallest model in the range but with rumble seat, 3-speed synchro gearbox and 85 bhp, it was a car of substance in its time. This vehicle is listed with the U. S. Auburn Club in Indiana and is well known to marque aficionados in Australia. It is in excellent working order with substantive interest expressed from near and far for this rare piece of motoring history.
Vehicle will be sold registered and with a current WOF.
Viewing Times -
Thursday 15 August: 10am - 5pm
Friday 16 August: 10am - 5pm
Saturday 17 August: 10am - 5pm
Sunday 18 August: 10am - 12pm
Live Auction -
Sunday 18 August: 2:30pm
Car Collections
Monday 19 August: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 20 August: 10am-4pm
Viewing & Auction Location -
Webb’s
33a Normanby Road
Mt Eden
Auckland 1024
New Zealand
Telephone/ Absentee Bids
Please complete the telephone or absentee bid form at the back of the catalogue, scan and send to using the button below. Alternatively, please call +64 9 529 5600 and arrange over the phone. Bids must be received 48 hours prior to the commencement of the auction.
Buyer’s Premium
Buyer’s premium of 15% plus GST will be added to the hammer price of all vehicles. Note GST is applicable to the buyer’s premium only.
Registration
To register to buy, all potential purchasers not known to Webb’s will be asked to provide an accredited form of photo identification (drivers licence or passport).
Shipping
Webb’s will have local, national and international freight agents available to arrange deliveries. Quotes will be available from using the button below
Payments and Collections
Payments and Collections can be made from Webb’s
Monday 19 August: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 20 August: 10am-4pm
All goods must be collected and paid for before 4pm on Tuesday 20 August to avoid removal and storage charges.
All payments must be made in New Zealand dollars. Credit cards will be accepted in person only with a surcharge of 2. 2% for Visa and Mastercard and 3. 3% for American Express. Personal company and bank cheques are not accepted. Direct transfers are accepted, account details will be included in your invoice.
