Auburn Cord Duesenberg Annual Extravaganza

The group of non-museum collection vehicles covers everything from early antiques to grand Full Classics to 1950s cruisers. The auction will be held at the museum on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.

A very rare 1922 Winton will be offered. This massive seven-passenger touring car is an excellent example of auto pioneer Alexander Winton’s craftsmanship. This restored Winton 7-passenger car is documented by the Winton Registrar as only having 6,000 miles in 1962. The odometer currently shows around 8,500 miles. The well-designed and proven engine is equipped with new aluminum cylinder heads that were specially manufactured for this model. This surefooted car shifts very smoothly and stops remarkably well with the original, extra large drummed rear brakes.

A beautifully restored 1931 Willys-Knight Model 66 D Sedan has been donated to the museum to be sold at the Extravaganza.

This vehicle was owned by museum volunteer Paul Casebere. In 1927 Paul began his automotive career at the age of 12, working for a Willys dealership in Edgerton, Ohio. He started out sweeping the floors and was soon driving customers home and learning to work on engines. In 1931 he bought a Willys-Knight touring car with a sleeve-valve engine for $25. He dated Mary, his wife of 70 years, in that car. He later purchased a Willys-Knight that was very similar. He was captivated by the engine design and longed for another.

In July 2003 he purchased this car in pieces. Unfortunately, he became ill in the fall of 2004 and passed away in February 2005. His friends on the museum’s automotive “Pit Crew” who had worked with him while he was restoring the car, finished it for him after his death. The car was completed in December 2005 and has been exhibited at the museum since its completion. It has had a very correct and complete restoration and is in good running and driving condition. Paul rebuilt the engine himself, and it is probably the last Willys-Knight in the world with a recent rebuild from a dealer-trained mechanic.

The Casebere family has directed that the car's sale price be used as a down payment on a much-needed new museum automotive maintenance shop for Paul’s beloved “Pit Crew” to work in.

The need for a new automotive maintenance shop became critical when the Pit Crew was suddenly moved out of its work location to allow ground contamination clean up of the area that had functioned as a gas station for decades prior to the 1970s. The museum is currently fundraising to provide space to repair, maintain and preserve its historic automobile collection. The Pit Crew’s hard work has been instrumental in the museum many achievements including its National Historic Landmark status and museum accreditation. Pit Crew activities are crucial to the museum’s core activities and mission.

Another unique offering is a 1958 Rambler Cross Country Station Wagon. This is a completely original vehicle with fewer than 10,000 miles showing on the odometer. It also comes with a matching tear drop trailer. This would be a fantastic vehicle for touring or to exhibit. This vehicle is offered at no reserve.

A 1978 Cadillac Seville will be offered that evening. It was donated to the museum to support general operations. It is a one owner, 38,000 mile original vehicle in light blue with matching leather interior. This automobile is also offered at no reserve.

Another offering from General Motors flagship is a 1957 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. This beautiful Cadillac hardtop is ready to go cruising in style. It is loaded with accessories including radio, power brakes, seats, steering and windows. This luxury automobile even has the Autronic Eye which automatically dims the headlights for you. It is an outstanding example that would be a great addition to any collection.

For the sports car enthusiast there’s a 1961 Triumph TR3A. This outstanding example of one of Great Britain’s most famous sports cars has had a complete body-off restoration with every nut and bolt restored. It features a brand new top, tonneau cover and side curtains. It is a twin in color to the cars featured in the original Road and Track magazine advertisements during 1960 and 1961. This vehicle’s very high level of restoration really shows in the fine detail.

Another outstanding offering is a 1936 Lincoln K Brunn Town Brougham Model 331. This beautiful custom-bodied twelve-cylinder automobile sold for $6,700 when new compared to $580 for a new Ford. This vehicle features a fully retractable chauffer’s compartment roof and an all original rear compartment. The car is still equipped with a working AM rear radio, chauffeurs buzzer/intercom, lighters, two jump seats, divider window, silk pull-down shades, wind up glass division, folding luggage rack, and dual-sided mounted spares with covers and side view mirrors.

The star of the auction is a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Hibbard and Darrin Transformable Imperial Cabriolet. This car features its original body, engine and chassis, and it was purchased by William Randolph Hearst for Marion Davies. The body features a multi-positional top. It was designed by master designers Hibbard and Darrin in Paris using a unique construction process called Sylentlyte. This process incorporated an aluminum sub-structure in the body entirely eliminating the use of wood. Even the inside door panels, which are most often wood in a Duesenberg, are made from aluminum. The automobile sports long wheelbase construction with the use of short wheelbase running boards giving the front fender line more expansive length.

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