$4.00 Free to members Volume 45 No. 2 2018 Cars of the Stars National Historic Landmark The Driving Experience Holiday Gift Ideas Cover Story Corporate Members and Sponsors The Model J Dueseberg $5,000 The Model J Duesenberg was introduced at the New York Auto Show December Auburn Gear LLC 1, 1928. The horsepower was rated at 265 and the chassis alone was priced Do it Best Corp. at $8,500. E.L. Cord, the marketing genius he was, reamed of building these automobiles and placing them in the hands of Hollywood celebrities. Cord believed this would generate enough publicity to generate sells. $2,500 • 1931 J-431 Derham Tourster DeKalb Health Therma-Tru Corp. • Originally Cooper was to receive a 1929, J-403 with chassis Number 2425, but a problem with Steel Dynamics, Inc. the engine resulted in a factory switch and engine J403 was replaced by J-431 before it was delivered to Cooper. $1,000 • Only eight of these Toursters were made C&A Tool Engineering, Inc. Gene Davenport Investments • The vehicle still survives and has been restored to its original condition. It is in the collection of the Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich, MA. Hampton Industrial Services, Inc. Joyce Hefty-Covell, State Farm • The instrument panel provided unusual features for the time such as an Insurance altimeter and service warning lights. MacAllister Machinery Company, Inc. Mefford, Weber and Blythe, PC Attorneys at Law Messenger, LLC SCP Limited $500 Auburn Moose Family Center Betz Nursing Home, An American Senior Community Brown & Brown Insurance Agency, Inc. Campbell & Fetter Bank Ceruti’s Catering & Event Planning Gary Cooper and his 1929 Duesenberg J-431 Derham Tourster Farmers & Merchant State Bank Goeglein’s Catering Graphics 3, Inc. Group Delphi The Hicksville Bank The Italian Grille Vision Source Innovative Eye Care, Douglas Morrow O.D. Wells Fargo 1 | MUSEUM OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM – 5 PM 2018 Gallery Sponsors Alcoa Foundation, E.L. Cord Foundation, Charles and Barbara Goodman Foundation Buehrig Gallery of Design Anonymous Design Studios Sandra and Gene Davenport Gallery of Fine Art and Archival Treasures Metal Technologies, Inc. Education Center Letter Terence E. Adderley From the Executive Director & CEO Gallery of Racers and Record-Setters Brandon J. Anderson Raisbeck Engineering “The proportion and lines of the Cord come nearer expressing the beauty of Hall of Technology both science and logic than any car I have ever seen.” Frank Lloyd Wright Steel Dynamics, Inc. A very prominent and forward-thinking architect, Frank Lloyd Wright’s admiration Gallery of Auburn, Indiana, Automobiles of the Cord stands as a testament to the vehicles that were conceived, designed, engineered, built, marketed, and exported from this National Historic William H. Willennar Foundation Landmark treasure that is now our museum. The Art Deco architecture and Willennar Hall Event Area styling of the building both speak to dominant, unimpeded forward motion and future thinking, which represents the status of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. Available for 10 year sponsorships The vision for the future will lead us into 2019 and will set the stage for new • Auburn Automobile Company exhibits, programs, tours, events, partnerships, and ways to experience and to Grand Showroom be a part of the museum. As the stewards of such a rich and diverse collection, we look forward to expanding upon the history and heritage we preserve. This • Export and Domestic includes additional emphasis on our historic building, Art Deco architecture, Sales Office design and engineering, art, automobiles, history, and the legacies of the men and women who shaped the past. • Archives 2019 will initiate the completed Historic Structures Report done by Ratio • Cars of Indiana Gallery Architects, which fully investigated and reported on all the needs of our 1929 building and how to best preserve and restore this structure for the future. A • Gallery of Excellence and campaign will launch at the beginning of the year and will address areas of Innovation immediate concern and will restore our beautiful crown jewel. • Special Interest Gallery Next year will also be the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the museum! It is hard to believe, but the Auburn Automobile Company Administration Building has served as a museum longer than its original purpose or as anything else in its 90-year life. We look forward to celebrating in a monumental way and ensuring that we will have many anniversaries in the future! Be sure to stay on the lookout for all of the new ways to engage by staying up-to-date with our social media, e-mail newsletters, and finally a NEW website debuting at the beginning of 2019! We look forward to seeing you at the museum and hope you share in our excitement for next year and all that it will bring to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum CORDially, Brandon J. Anderson Executive Director & CEO ORDER FROM THE MUSEUM STORE ANYTIME AT store.automobilemuseum.org | 2 New Special Exhibit Debuts in November – Cars of the Stars By Jon Bill, Curator Auburns and Cords have always been known for their rakish style and stunning performance. As such, they attracted more than their fair share of attention from the public when they were new. Their eye-catching appearance made these in-vogue automobiles even more appealing to celebrities. The museum’s curatorial department has developed a special exhibit dedicated to the immortals that were owners of some of our favorite vehicles. The staff selected three American heroes of the 1920s and 30s, and cars like the ones they drove, to represent the many notable individuals that enjoyed ownership of the products from the Auburn Automobile Company. The exhibit is located in the Gallery of Excellence and Innovation on the upper level of the museum. The display is set to open on November 19. BABE RUTH AND THE 1926 AUBURN 8-88 ROADSTER Babe Ruth of baseball’s New York Yankees’ “Murderer’s Row” was without a doubt the most famous athlete of his time. In 1926, he was presented with a new Auburn 8-88 Roadster by the magazine “Police Gazette.” Auburn, always on the lookout for publicity, was quick to make this fact known to potential customers. The photograph and caption taken from an original 1926 issue of “The Accelerator” (sent to Auburn dealers) underscores this point. The museum’s 1926 Auburn 8-88 Roadster is virtually identical to the Babe’s car and will be on display with a life-size cut-out of the “Sultan of Swat,” to provide great photo opportunities for museum visitors. 3 | MUSEUM OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM – 5 PM AMELIA EARHART AND HER 1937 CORD 812 Few Americans have sparked the imagination of our nation like Amelia Earhart. She was an inspiration to all. Her adventurous spirit and love of aircraft and flying, put her in the world’s spotlight. What better car for her to drive than an aircraft- inspired new Cord. Earhart’s husband, George Putnam, gifted her with a 1937 Cord shortly before her fateful attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Amelia Earhart proudly displays her new Cord Phaeton next to “The Flying Laboratory” her Lockheed Electra 10E at Purdue University Airport. A life-size cut-out of Ms. Earhart will accompany the exhibit with a Cord Convertible finished in Cigarette Cream, a light-yellow hue. Yellow was her favorite color. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AND HIS CORD L-29 CABRIOLET Frank Lloyd Wright was recognized in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects as “The Greatest AMELIA EARHART AND HER 1937 CORD 812 American Architect of All Time.” He also had a fascination with automobiles, purchasing his first car in 1909, a Stoddard-Dayton roadster. Wright went on to own more than 50 cars until his death in 1959. He drove many exotic cars as well as some less expensive vehicles. Wright was a fan of the Cord L-29 and owned two during his lifetime. He wrote, “I became a Cord owner because I believe the principle of the front drive to be logical and scientific, therefore, inevitable for all cars. The proportion and lines of the Cord come nearer to expressing the beauty of both science and logic than any other car I have ever seen.” The museum is fortunate to hold one of his Cords in our permanent collection along with Wright’s 1952 Crosley Super Sport Roadster that was in his fleet of small cars. Jon Bill, Curator Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum 1929 CORD L-29 CABRIOLET ONCE OWNED BY THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION ORDER FROM THE MUSEUM STORE ANYTIME AT store.automobilemuseum.org | 4 classic events... unforgettable memories Host your event at a premier venue with incredible architecture and timeless automobiles. Located 20 minutes North of Fort Wayne, Indiana! An exclusive one-of-a-kind location Plan your next gathering in Auburn, Indiana, at the outdoor plaza unlike any other. The Education & Exhibit Plaza is specifically built to host local, regional, national and international car clubs. Mark your calendars! Contact us now to book Duesy of a Day Gatsby Gala Ball - September 1 your next event! Bridal Show - January 27 Trunk or Treat - October 28 1600 S. Wayne St., Auburn, IN 46706 Spring Fest Craft A Nouveau New Year - December 31 (260) 925-1444 Beer & Wine Tasting - April 13 [email protected] Duesy of a Day - January 27 * Cars and Coffee - Every 3rd Saturday Open daily 9am - 5pm AprilSpring 20 - FestMay -18 April - June 13 15 *additional times available upon request July 20 - Aug 17 - Sept 21 automobilemuseum.org/events/host-your-event 5 | MUSEUM OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9 AM – 5 PM Terence E.