| Detroit might be the Motor City, but for a time, it did not | | | | built luxury cars along the line of the Rolls Royce. This |
| have much on Auburn, Indiana. Throughout the early | | | | highly popular company was founded in 1913 and was |
| 1900s, this little town was a big focus of the American | | | | bought by E.L. Cord in 1926, cementing its ties to |
| automobile industry. In fact, automobile enthusiasts who | | | | Auburn. |
| want to see a different side of history than Detroit can | | | | Plans for the museum date back to 1969 when the |
| provide will find a gem when they visit the Auburn | | | | nonprofit Auburn Automotive Heritage Inc. was formed. |
| Cord Duesenberg Museum. | | | | The group had its sights sets on honoring the |
| Dubbed one of the “Top Ten Gearhead | | | | Deusenberg, Cord and Auburn lines. Its initial statement |
| Destinations in the United States” by MSNBC in | | | | purpose was to “discover, procure and preserve |
| 2007, this museum pays homage to the cars in the | | | | whatever may be related to the history of the |
| Cord, Auburn and Duesenberg lines. The museum has | | | | automotive industry in the City of Auburn and County |
| on display more than 120 cars ranging in production | | | | of DeKalb, Indiana.” By the 1974 opening, the group |
| date from 1894 to 1999. Housed in the old Auburn | | | | was able to procure 24 automobiles on loan along with |
| Automobile Company national headquarters, the | | | | a variety of memorabilia. |
| museum has had its doors open since 1974. | | | | Since its opening, the group has greatly expanded its |
| While many people are aware of the history of | | | | collection and even managed to get National Register |
| American auto giants out of Detroit, the story of these | | | | of Historic Places recognition for the building. Visitors to |
| three lines is lesser known. Auburn was known for its | | | | the museum today will find it chockfull of exhibits |
| affordable cars. Cord was famed for its innovations. | | | | dedicated to the three lines. It features three floors of |
| Duesenberg provided the wheels many Hollywood | | | | gallery space, an archives, education center and more. |
| stars tooled around in. | | | | In addition to its permanent collection, the museum |
| The history of the three lines all came together in | | | | plays host to special events and exhibits throughout |
| Auburn, which is why the museum focuses keenly on | | | | the year. |
| the trio. The Auburn Automobile Company produced | | | | Car lovers interested in the history of the American |
| vehicles out of its Indiana headquarters from 1900 to | | | | automobile outside of what happened in Detroit will find |
| 1936. During the course of the company’s history, it | | | | the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum provides an |
| also picked up the Cord and Duesenberg lines. Auburn | | | | eye-opening experience. This museum is open seven |
| itself was responsible for such vehicles as the 1929 | | | | days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It only closes on |
| 8-90 Speedster and the 1935 851. The Cord line was | | | | Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Tours |
| manufactured by Auburn from the late 1920s and into | | | | are self-guided, but it is possible to arrange a |
| the 1930s. Deusenbrg was a standalone company that | | | | docent-led visit. |