1936 Auburn Speedster

Auburn was a brand name of American automobiles produced from 1900 through 1936. The Auburn Automobile Company grew out of the Eckhart Carriage Company, founded in 1875. Charles Eckhart began making automobiles on an experimental basis 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 out to a group of Chicago investors headed by Ralph Austin Bard, who later served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The new owners revived the business but failed to realize the profits that they had hoped for. In 1924 a highly successful automobile salesman bought the company. But styling and engineering failed to overcome the fact that the vehicles were just too expensive for the Depression-era market and in 1937, production of Auburns ended.

Luckily, people began producing replicas like this beautiful example. It has all the features the original one had.  This Speedster model was famous for their advanced engineering, as well as their striking appearance.  They were frequently seen in Hollywood, due to their extraordinary features, such as the long-hooded front, the “boat tail” rear, pontoon fenders, Vee-type windshield, cut out doors and four showy chrome-plated exhaust pipes on the left side – the WOW factor! 

This vehicle has a Ford 460cu in with a C6 automatic transmission and a Lincoln frame. For the fraction of the cost of an original, you will be driving one of the best looking touring cars ever made.

Branson Auto Museum was conceived in August of 2007 and opened on May 15, 2009. Partners in the Museum,knew that the Branson area was hungry for car and automotive related things to do. Branson Auto Museum was originally scheduled to go into a purpose built 20,000 sq. ft. building on the Strip. When the partners discovered that the former crafts mall the "Engler Block" was available, they knew it would be the perfect fit for what they were planning. The buiding is layed out in sections that wander through the building which is the ideal setting for a museum. The charm and character of the building also lends itself nicely to a museum.