Tuesday 3rd March 1942
The Auburn Automobile Company, builder of the classic Auburn automobiles, changes its name to the American Central Manufacturing Company. Having started by Charles Eckhart in 1875 as the Eckhart Carriage Company of Auburn Indiana, the company’s heyday was after it was purchased by Errett Lobban Cord in 1925. One of the most famous Auburns was the 851 Speedster in 1935. But styling and engineering failed to overcome the fact that Cord’s vehicles were too expensive for the Depression-era market and Cord’s stock manipulations that would force him to give up control of his car companies. Under injunction from the Securities and Exchange Commission to refrain from further violations, Cord sold his shares in his automobile holding company. In 1937, production of Auburns, along with that of Cords and Duesenbergs, ended.