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Antique Autos of America,
was owned and operated by David Samuels in Largo, Florida. With over
fifty employees, Antique Autos of America was one of the premier
auto restoration facilities in the United States. Cars restored by
Antique Autos included the famed the Frank Lloyd Wright L29 Cord in
1981. The company was so well respected that cars would just show up
on trailers to be restored, not even knowing whom the cars belonged
to. Southeastern Replicars was a side company of Antique Autos of
America. Southeastern Replicars was the replica division of David
Samuels company. Michael Akins was the production manager.
1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster Replicas, in kit form and turnkey
form, were produced. Later a Cord 810 Phaeton, or what Southeastern
called the 815SE Phaeton, was added. For the day, Southeastern was
heralded as one of the best replica manufacturers ever, even
garnering the attention of designer Gordon Buehrig, stating “this is
the concept that I had always hoped for” when describing the
front wheel drive 815SE. The 815SE (Cord Phaeton) sold for $49,950
for the gas version and $57,950 for a diesel version. Only a handful
of 815SE's were built. I have seen only one, and I must say
that it was the most authentic looking factory built replicar that I
have ever seen. The 815SE's were actual front wheel drive cars using
the 350 Oldsmobile Toronado drive line. Southeastern Replicars built
about thirty turnkey Auburn Boattail replicas along with hundreds of
kits. By 1981, Auburn Boattail Speedster basic kits were priced at
$8000-$9000, deluxe kits were $15,000 - $17,000. I could not find
any pricing for turn key Auburn Speedster's. The Auburns utilized
full size Chevrolet and some Ford chassis in the manufacturing
process. Southeastern Replicars went as far as producing a twin
turbocharged 460 Lincoln powered car that they advertised as the
fastest Auburn replica ever produced.
Many manufacturers were building the Auburn Boattail Speedster
replica's throughout the '70's and into the 1980's, but few would
survive the down turn of the economy. The heyday of Auburn and Cord
replicas ended in the early 1980's for Southeastern Replicars.
Michael Akins would later go onto build his version of the Auburn
Boattail Speedster. In 1995 he started his own company, the very
successful
Speedster Motorcars.
From period magazine articles and ads, there was some Southeastern
Replicar connection to Northeastern Replicars, Antique Auburns of
America and later there was a
California Custom Coach and Repli-Classics
connection. I do not know the time line for these companies and
ventures. As I put it all together I will make the needed updates.
Special thanks to Jeff Akins for
providing much of the above information
Antique Autos of America / President: David Samuel
Manufactured: Auburn 2 and 4
place Speedsters along with a Cord Phaeton.
DBA the following:
Antique Auto of America / Antique Auburn of America
611 Commerce Drive, Largo Florida, 33540
Tel: 813-586-2824
Southeastern Replicars
12082 62nd
street, North Largo Fla. 33543
Tel: 813-535-1957
Northeastern Replicars
23 Orchard Place, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601
Tel: 914-229-7792
note: The contact
information is over 25 years old. / last updated: 06-2008 |
