Support Museum Education Cars
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Imagine the most beautiful classic automobiles of all time – Auburn, Cadillac, Cord, Duesenberg, Packard, Rolls-Royce – the icons of an age when personal motoring brought with it style, elegance and untamed speed. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana, features over 120 of these antique and classic automobiles. It is located in the original Auburn Automobile Company international headquarters building built in the 1930s. It is an excellent example of art deco architecture.
In 1974, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum opened to the public. Visitors are welcomed 362 days a year. Each year, the Museum provides educational experiences to more than 50,000 visitors from every state and 40 countries.
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005, having been chosen to represent an independent specialty automobile company that produced hand-assembled, hand-crafted automobiles.
What are we raising money for?
This campaign is essential for the collection. We need to raise funds for the museum’s Collection Fund, including funds for a complete engine overhaul for the museum’s 1931 Auburn 8-98 education automobile.
1931 Auburn 8-98
What does the museum use education automobiles for?
Education automobiles serve a special purpose for the public. They are the automobiles that the museum keeps in running order and are often seen on the public roads in and around the museum. They are taken to regional events, and school groups are able to sit in the automobile and see special things such as the engine, dashboard and more.
What is wrong with the engine?
The engine is a 268.6 cubic-inch Lycoming 8-cylinder engine that produces 98 horsepower.
During one of the education drives, a loud noise was heard from the engine. The cylinder head of the engine was removed and a piston crown was found broken. After removing the pistons, it was decided to look at the rest of the engine. Analysis revealed significant wear of the valves and cracks in the notoriously thin valve ports. All connecting rod bearings displayed significant wear. All connecting rods, pistons, valves and the crankshaft need to be assessed for repair or replacement. Preliminary work has been done on the engine block itself.
Broken piston crown
Worn connecting rod cap bearing
Lycoming engines are very specific in the sizes and clearances they need and thin metal is used in important places, such as the valve ports. The pistons and the valves must be manufactured at the specific size.
Worn valves
Worn connecting rod bearing
Overall, a complete engine overhaul needs to be done to fix all issues and to ensure a smooth and safe operating engine.
What is the collection fund?
The collection fund serves a core function for the museum. Set aside as a restricted fund, its main purpose is to purchase or repair automobiles or objects relating to the collection focus of the museum. This allows the museum to better tell its story through the automobiles and objects.
Use of the Collection Fund must comply with the fund’s specific purpose. For example, in 2015, the museum used the collection fund to acquire a rare 1924 Auburn 6-63 touring, one of two known to exist. The 1924 Auburn features a rare Weidely overhead valve engine that the Auburn Automobile Company used for one year. This purchase with the Collection Fund helped the museum to acquire both a missing model year for Auburns, and a rare engine type.
1924 Auburn 6-63 Touring
The remaining money raised in the campaign will go directly to the Collection Fund.
The museum staff, Board of Trustees, members and volunteers appreciate every donation made to this campaign. We thank you for supporting the educational programs at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum.
In 1974, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum opened to the public. Visitors are welcomed 362 days a year. Each year, the Museum provides educational experiences to more than 50,000 visitors from every state and 40 countries.
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005, having been chosen to represent an independent specialty automobile company that produced hand-assembled, hand-crafted automobiles.
What are we raising money for?
This campaign is essential for the collection. We need to raise funds for the museum’s Collection Fund, including funds for a complete engine overhaul for the museum’s 1931 Auburn 8-98 education automobile.
1931 Auburn 8-98What does the museum use education automobiles for?
Education automobiles serve a special purpose for the public. They are the automobiles that the museum keeps in running order and are often seen on the public roads in and around the museum. They are taken to regional events, and school groups are able to sit in the automobile and see special things such as the engine, dashboard and more.
What is wrong with the engine?
The engine is a 268.6 cubic-inch Lycoming 8-cylinder engine that produces 98 horsepower.
During one of the education drives, a loud noise was heard from the engine. The cylinder head of the engine was removed and a piston crown was found broken. After removing the pistons, it was decided to look at the rest of the engine. Analysis revealed significant wear of the valves and cracks in the notoriously thin valve ports. All connecting rod bearings displayed significant wear. All connecting rods, pistons, valves and the crankshaft need to be assessed for repair or replacement. Preliminary work has been done on the engine block itself.
Broken piston crown Worn connecting rod cap bearingLycoming engines are very specific in the sizes and clearances they need and thin metal is used in important places, such as the valve ports. The pistons and the valves must be manufactured at the specific size.
Worn valves Worn connecting rod bearingOverall, a complete engine overhaul needs to be done to fix all issues and to ensure a smooth and safe operating engine.
What is the collection fund?
The collection fund serves a core function for the museum. Set aside as a restricted fund, its main purpose is to purchase or repair automobiles or objects relating to the collection focus of the museum. This allows the museum to better tell its story through the automobiles and objects.
Use of the Collection Fund must comply with the fund’s specific purpose. For example, in 2015, the museum used the collection fund to acquire a rare 1924 Auburn 6-63 touring, one of two known to exist. The 1924 Auburn features a rare Weidely overhead valve engine that the Auburn Automobile Company used for one year. This purchase with the Collection Fund helped the museum to acquire both a missing model year for Auburns, and a rare engine type.
1924 Auburn 6-63 TouringThe remaining money raised in the campaign will go directly to the Collection Fund.
The museum staff, Board of Trustees, members and volunteers appreciate every donation made to this campaign. We thank you for supporting the educational programs at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum.
Organizer
Kendra Klink
Organizer
Auburn, IN
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