1910 Auburn Model R

The Indiana-based Auburn marque was formed in 1900 and, for nearly its first decade, built singles and twins exclusively. The company would later solidify its place in history with its flamboyant speedsters and its association with the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Corporation.

Charles Eckhart had worked with the Studebaker brothers as a wheel-wright in South Bend, Indiana, before moving to Auburn in 1874 to establish the Eckhart Carriage Company. His sons Frank and Morris took over business operations when Charles retired in 1893. In 1900, they formed the Auburn Automobile Company.

1909 was the first of the four-cylinder Auburns and they would form the foundation for the new models going forward.

Auburn offered two- and four-cylinder models in 1909, with body styles that included tourers, runabouts, and a baby tonneau. The Model R had a four-cylinder, 318 cubic-inch Rutenber L-head engine paired with a three-speed transmission.

An upmarket inline six was introduced in 1913 with the lineup eventually consolidating under the six-cylinder banner by 1917. A change of ownership in 1919 witnessed little change in engineering. The acquisition by E.L. Cord in 1924 was much different, bringing many changes, including the Lycoming straight-eight engine in 1925. The company would add the Boattail Speedster to its roster before Cord's empire imploded in 1936.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2022