1929' Auburn Model 8-90

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys Monterey event, 18 - 20 August 2022.
One of the very finest examples in the world
Formerly owned by Harrahs Automobile Collection and the Cord Family
Award-winning older restoration by RM Auto Restoration
Auburn Cord Duesenberg (ACD) Club Certified Category 1 (A-112)
The Auburn 8-90 Eight Speedster offered here is among the finest and best-known surviving authentic examples of the model. It was owned in the early 1950s by longtime Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club member, Bob Graham of California, known to readers of the Clubs Newsletter as The Worlds Greatest Car-Watcher. In one such article, published in the No. 10 1992 edition, Graham recounted that the Auburn was bought for $50.00 in L.A. Calif. 1950. Went to Harrahs Museum. One of the longest-term denizens of the famed Harrahs Automobile Collection, it was refinished but otherwise remained an original, well-preserved car. During its time in the collection, it was featured in several well-known books, including Motorcars of the Golden Past by Ken Purdy and Harrahs Automobile Collection by Dean Batchelor.
At the 1985 Harrahs dispersal auction, the Auburn was bought by a very special personage: Sally Cord Hummel, daughter of its manufacturer, E.L. Cord. Mrs. Hummel put the car on anonymous loan to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in its hometown of Auburn, Indiana, where it was exhibited for 14 years. During this time the speedster was inspected by the ACD Club and Certified as a Category 1 Original Car. Interestingly, based upon the S denoting the body style on its serial number plate, it was determined that it had been a 1928 model, subsequently renumbered by the factory to sell in 1929!
In 1999 the Auburn was purchased by the late award-winning actor, passionate automobile enthusiast, and much-missed friend to many, Edward Herrmann. Mr. Herrmann commissioned RM Auto Restoration to undertake a complete restoration, although the original Harrahs inventory tag, number 186, was charmingly preserved and is still present today on the firewall. The result, stunning in two subtle shades of green, was presented at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours dElegance, winning 1st in Class, and at that years Michigan Grand Classic, being scored at a perfect 100 points. Mr. Herrmann subsequently sold the Auburn to a friend in Indiana, from whom Terence Adderley acquired the car in 2011
Still in excellent overall condition, this is in the first rank of surviving early speedsters and would be an outstanding complement to any Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg collection.