I submitted locations from Washington, Indiana, and Ohio. I entered two sites that are my absolute favorites. About 15 minutes away from Fort Wayne, Indiana is Auburn, the home of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg corporate headquarters. One entry is for the museum, which is in the former corporate showroom, which is a great example of the art deco style of the early 1930’s. The cars on display here are strictly hands off. Auburn Cord Duesenberg went out of business in 1937. Their last couple of years (especially 36 and 37) saw them produce some of the most iconic, powerful, durable, exclusive, and expensive cars in the world. They were known for setting 24- and 48- hour endurance and speed records, and the Auburn Speedster were tested at at least 100 mph (on public county roads around Auburn) before delivery to the customer. Expensive cars and the economic times did not make a good mix.
However, every year on Labor Day weekend, they hold the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, which includes a parade where these cars are driven (most under their own power) down the streets of Auburn and are displayed for a couple of hours around the courthouse square and neighboring streets. The cars assemble in Eckhart Park before the parade, and for a reasonable admission fee, you can go in – get up close to the cars, and should an owner feel particularly generous allow you to touch, and sometimes even sit in their car. Most are good natured, and love to share information about Auburns, Cords, Duesenbergs, and their car in particular. One time I got to listen in as Jay Leno and an owner were discussing their efforts to re-create the Duesenberg valve cover. I talked with the owner of the Cord owned by movie star Tom Mix.
