Daily Archives: June 3, 2014
Nothing Much . . .
Since we did nothing much at all today, except make a DQ run with Nick and Terry this evening, I thought I’d do a repost of one of our favorite museums, the the Auburn – Cord – Duesenberg Museum, located in Auburn, IN.
We visited here in October, 2011, and still today, talk about the beautiful Art Deco building and the splendid automobiles. If you’re in the area, it’s well worth a visit. If not, then you can visit vicariously through the blog.
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Founded in 1874, the Eckhart Carriage Company was a successful manufacturer of horse-drawn carriages. Frank Eckhart had not only the foresight but also the engineering ability to steer the buggy company into the “Age of the Automobile.” His Auburn Automobile Company prospered, particularly after E.L. Cord was brought in to run the business. Cord was both inventive and astute, and in 1929 created his own company, which, among other things, bought out the Duesenberg Automobile Co.
Despite the enthusiastic public response, sales were disappointing. The estimated production figure of 500 cars per year was never matched and eventually only 481 Model J’s were constructed. Being extremely expensive, the Model J was popular with the rich and famous. Among the owners were many greats from the showbiz industry like Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, James Cagney and Greta Garbo. Various kings and queens were Model J owners as well. Part of the Duesenberg legend is based on the many famous owners.
Styling and engineering failed to overcome the fact that Cord’s vehicles were too expensive for the Depression-era market and that Cord’s stock manipulations would force him to give up control of his car companies. Under injunction from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to refrain from further violations, Cord sold his shares in his automobile holding company. In 1937, production of Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs ended.
The building that now houses the Museum was the original Art Deco headquarters / showroom of the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles, and it’s beautiful in its own right.
And the inside is even more outstanding.
I won’t bore you with all the details. I’ll just show you pictures of these beautiful automobiles.
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Tomorrow? Maybe, Maybe not.
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Thought for the Day:
"Government is not reason. Government is not eloquence. It is force. And, like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." – George Washington
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