AUBURN Speedsters.com

Auburn Cord Duesenberg
Club's 2012 Annual Reunion

"The Year of the Unrestored Car"

Auburn, Indiana

Across the street from the Friday morning Swap Meet the parking lot of the ACD Automobile Museum is a busy place. Parking is reserved for ACD Club members and their cars so the parking lot becomes another social gathering spot along with the ACD Club Certification which takes place throughout most of the day

I cannot count the number of times I have walked through the Museum. I have enjoyed each and every moment. If I lived in Auburn I would certainly donate some time there. The Museum has experienced several changes over the past several years and in my opinion all of them have all been for the better. A couple of the major one's included tastefully adding additional square footage to the rear of the building in order to display more automobiles and the relocation of the Gift Shop

Louis Chenot returned to this years Reunion with his 1:6th scale recreation of a 1932 Duesenberg.  It is truly a Master piece created by a true Craftsman. I have had opportunity to view the Duesenberg on two occasions. I have never seen anything like it. Mr. Chenot has been earned many prestigious modeling awards, his most recent was this past December. He was awarded the "Metal Working Craftsman of the Decade" by the Joe Martin Foundation.

His Duesenberg consist of over 6000 parts that he has created from scratch.  There are 996 parts alone in the wheels and another 300 parts in the heads. Louis estimates that he has close to 15,000 hours of labor invested in the project. The miniature straight 8, 32 valve engine actually runs. As a matter of fact just about every operating feature on a full size Duesenberg is replicated (and works) on his model.

For more unbelievable photo's of Louis Chenot's Duesenberg and video of the running engine visit www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/chenot.htm

At the Thursday Night ACD Automobile Museum Fund Raiser a Glenn Pray Auburn 874 Phaeton was being offered at auction. When Doug Pray, Glenn Prays son, caught wind of this he wasted no time attending the Fund Raising event and successfully offered the highest bid.  I believe this was car number 5 of the 16 built. Congratulation Doug!