2 AUBURN GEMS

There are myriad reasons why the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum has been widely recognized as one of the world’s standouts from the moment its doors first opened at noon on Saturday, July 6, 1974. It was the first time, at least in the United States, that anyone had seen a permanent auto exhibit occupying the factory showroom originally commissioned by the builder of the brands it was celebrating.

The two million visitors it’s attracted from all 50 states and 40-plus foreign countries in the ensuing 47 years has helped transform Auburn and DeKalb County, Ind., from a depressed factory community into a vibrant tourist destination touting several other subsequently opened transportation museums. The museum’s website name alone — — says volumes about its pioneer status in common with its being one of only two car museums formally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. All this, of course, would not have been achieved without a little luck and a lot of people passionately dedicated to honoring not just Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg, but