In another thread, @41 GMC K-18 was interested in seeing more of my recently acquired V12 Auburn. It sat in a museum for 58 years, and hasn't been run in a decade or 2. I posted a video on YouTube about getting started on recommissioning it. Since it doesn't fit the HAMB mold, I'll put it here in antiquated. Let me know if you have any questions or comments about it, I love to share this stuff! I'll post more as I make progress.
Hey @Hemi Joel Thank you so much for taking the time to shoot this very cool video of your magnificent 1933 V-12 Auburn Salon Speedster! That old style hydraulic lift, is exactly the same make and model that was in my dads wrecking yard, when I was a kid growing up. It really made me smile to see that particular type of lift that you have in your shop! I admire your tenacity to not only obtain such a cool Auburn, but to take on the myriad of challenges that will be discovered by you, as you bring this great automobile back to life. This isn't a automobile for rookies, that have never been exposed to the various systems that are displayed in your video. But its evident that this particular Auburn, is now in the very capable hands of a person that knows what he is doing, and all of us on the H.A.M.B. will benefit from watching this machine wake up and purr! I look forward to seeing the progress that will happen now. Below is as piece of my line art, I always did love them Auburn boat tailed speedsters. Thanks from Dennis in Seattle.
Dennis, thanks for those very kind words! You're line art is amazing. Coincidentally, I got that lift from a junkyard that a city forced to close. What I like about it is the access all around the perimeter of the car with no obstructions.
That is sooooo cooool!!!!!! You are brave as 41 GMC noted it is not for a newb when it comes to prewar cars. Looking forward to the next video and the next and the next ....
I have always dreamed of owning an Auburn or Duesenberg, or Caddy...big roadster with a golf club door. That is a beautiful example. I'm drooling.
That’s a gorgeous automobile!!! Like Billy said your living our dream I couldn’t imagine being able to swing an Auburn or Duesey
Very nice! I was relieved to hear you say that you were going to drop the oil pan. Looking forward to the second video.
Joel, older article but Joe's son is still working on Auburn, Chord, and Duesenberg's in Manitowoc WI, super nice guy and VERY knowledgeable. Kaufmann's Quest for Quality - Old Cars Weekly
I'll check it out, thanks. Edit: wow, that's great story! I've heard of Joe before. His face looks familiar too. I might have met him briefly at the old Auburn Hotel during the ACD reunion.
That seems to be the problem with all cool old cars. But it's really only a problem if you're in a hurry. Otherwise, I enjoy talking to people cars.
I have have an exciting new development on the Auburn! When I bought the car, it didn't have a top. I looked down in the top well at the auction, and there was nothing. No canvas, no bows, no irons, nothing. I had inquired about it with the auctioneer and they said that they weren't able to find out anything about the top. I inquired with the the heirs of the owner of the museum, and they said that as far as they we're told, the car never had a top while the museum owned it. I stayed in touch with the family, and as they found new information or pictures they would send them to me. Then one day a couple of months ago. This picture of the museum interior from 1980 showed up:
So I sent them an email pointing out that the Auburn did at one point have a top. At that point they decided to start looking for it again and eventually they found it! I drove down to the old museum building in Missouri to pick it up, and the long lost top has now been reunited with the Auburn! Now I need to figure out how to get it clean. Besides being dirty it smells. Any suggestions on how to clean this would be appreciated. I feel very fortunate that this happened, and I am very thankful to the Kelsey family for making it possible!
Bravo! "Everything old, is new again" I would seriously contact Jay Leno, as he has some seriously talented people and contacts that can advise you about the solutions that you need! Congratulations from Dennis, on never giving up on finding that top!
Joel, you could try contacting museums in your area, and see if they have a fabric conservator. They could probably tell you a safe way to clean the top.
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