Only two 1934 Auburn 652X Broughams are known to exist, and one of them will be preserved now that it has been donated to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in northeast Indiana. The donation was made by car owners Tali and Lynn Petersons of Baltimore, Maryland, the museum announced.
“This is the first 1934 Auburn in our collection and it fills an important slot in our museum’s story,” museum curator Sam Grate is quoted in making the announcement.
“Stylistically, it was a departure from any Auburn before it. Being the rare brougham body style with only one other known to exist, we are honored to be the stewards and representatives of this exceedingly rare automobile.”
The museum notes that the ’34 was the last Auburn done by designer Alan Leamy and “was his smoothest and most streamlined yet. It stood out with its split radiator grills and ‘bear claw’-like hood louvers.”
The museum also notes that the ’34 was the first Auburn since 1930 with a 6-cylinder engine. The ’34 Auburn was available in four versions — 652X and 652Y with 6-cylinder engines and 850X and 850Y with 8-cylinder powerplants.
While Leamy’s most streamlined design, the museum notes that “company officials and the public disliked the design, and production of the 1934 line stopped midyear in July.”
AACA sets Model T driving dates
The AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has set Model T Driving Experience dates for 2022. The opportunities to learn how to start and drive the historic vintage vehicles are June 22, July 13 and 23, August 6 and 20, September 10 and 25, and October 15.
British museum sets first youth conference
Looking toward the future, Britain’s National Motor Museum Trust is staging its first Young Person’s Conference to explore the future of mobility on November 23.
“Aiming to spark conversation and debate amongst its participants, the speakers will draw upon their own professional experiences to inform and inspire, with time at the end for the students to ask questions,” the museum said.
Introduced by Lord Montagu, the conference will look at the concern around society’s impact upon the environment, as well as introducing the participants to potential careers within the motor industry.
Speakers at the online event include a pioneer in making road from waste plastics, an official of a GPS provider, a designer of wheelchairs, and a woman automotive engineer.
Special events this weekend
The Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, Rhode Island. opens an exhibit featuring 14 post-war sports and grand touring cars from the Nick Begovich Collection.
The Canadian Automobile Museum in Oshawa, Ontario, will feature Canada’s first automobile at its Third Thursday presentation November 18 at 7 p.m. The subject is “Father Belcourt’s Automobile Untangled,” with historian Rudy Croken sharing facts and legends behind the automobile imported to Prince Edward Island in 1866.
Two new exhibits open November 18 at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania — “Survivors: Unrestored Classic Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles,” antique vehicles that retain most of their original components, typically paint, interior and other major parts, and “Packard Showroom,” featuring, of course, Packards of various models.
Mark your calendar
The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Germany offers a special tour of its new SL exhibition November 22 on its Instagram channel.
The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, opens its “Winter Wonderland” holiday lights show from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 24, featuring classic cars in snow globes, rides in vintage vehicles, a maze of holiday inflatables, a visit to Santa’s Garage, outdoor artwork, a vintage Christmas tree lot with Shasta camper trailer, and more.
The Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin, Italy, presents a program on artist and Mille Miglia competitor Caty Torta on November 25 featuring Torta’s son, Cesare Denoye, and Piergiorgio Dragone of the University of Turin.
The AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, hosts Zoom presentation at 2 p.m. on November 27 featuring author and Barn Fine Hunter host Tom Cotter talking about driving a 1926 Model T Ford Speedster across the country.
Autobooks-Aerobooks in Burbank, California, hosts Chris Lennon and his book The Peak of Racing: Pikes Peak through The Racers’ Eyes from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on November 27.
Brian Redman will be presented the 2021 Spirit of Competition award December 1 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia. The annual award goes to someone who has made significant contributions to motorsports. Redman is a nine-time sports car racing champion and continues to be an ambassador for the sport and for vintage racing.
“Traveling Black: A Story of Race and Resistance” will be presented by author Mia Bay at 7 p.m. December 2 at the Lars Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts. On December 9, the museum will feature “The Hack Mechanic” with Rob Siegel, columnist for the BMW Car club magazine Roundel.
Former General Motors design director Ed Welburn will present “The Golden Age of American Automotive Design” from noon until 3 p.m. December 4 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.
The new Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, midway between Chattanooga and Atlanta, has announced December 8 as its opening day for visitors. The museum is on a 35-acre site and includes three buildings with 65,000-square-feet of display space and a cafe. It is part of the Georgia Museums Inc., which includes the Booth Western Art Museum, Bartow History Museum and Tellus Science Museum.
Beaulieu, England, home of the National Motor Museum, and Palace House, will host a new outdoor Christmas Fair from December 10-12.
The National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, hosts the “Run, Run Rudolph 5K” at 5 p.m. December 11. The run travels through 3.2-miles of holiday lights and supports Toys for Tots.
The Motor bar and restaurant at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee will host ugly sweater parties from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 11 and 18. It will feature Breakfast with Santa events on December 12 and 19 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Canadian Automobile Museum in Oshawa, Ontario, offers its Third Thursday lecture at 7 p.m. December 16 on Zoom with Dumaresq de Pencier featuring “Early Electric Cars of Canada: 1897-1927.” The museum also is working on its next exhibition, “Wires to Wheels: Electric Vehicles in Canada and Beyond,” scheduled to open in July 2022.
The Montagu family Palace House, which shares its grounds with the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, England, offers a trip back to 1889 with its Victorian Christmas event from December 18 to January 2.
The grand opening of the Segerstrom Shelby museum and event center has been rescheduled for January 20, 2022, in Irvine, California.
The Canadian Automobile Museum in Oshawa, Ontario, has announced its Third Thursday lecture topics for January and February. “Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights” will be presented January 20 at 7 p.m. on Zoom by Gretchen Sorin of the State University of New York College at Oneonta, and “The Death and Legacy of Sam McLaughlin – Looking Back After 50 Years” will be offered by Samantha George of the Parkwood National Historic Site on February 17.
Does your local car museum have special events or exhibitions planned? Let us know. Email [email protected] .
