The Worldwide Group, auctioneers of fine historic and collector cars, has today announced that it will build its US headquarters in Auburn, Indiana, the birthplace of some of America’s grandest and most significant automobiles. Rod Egan, Managing Partner and Chief Auctioneer, said “We are delighted to be able to announce that plans for our new headquarters are well underway. Our 24,000 square foot, glass fronted showroom will open later this year, in the town that is synonymous with historic automobiles and all of the passion that they evoke”. The motor industry in Auburn was born in 1875, when Charles Eckhart founded […]
The Worldwide Group, auctioneers of fine historic and collector cars, has today announced that it will build its US headquarters in Auburn, Indiana, the birthplace of some of America’s grandest and most significant automobiles. Rod Egan, Managing Partner and Chief Auctioneer, said “We are delighted to be able to announce that plans for our new headquarters are well underway. Our 24,000 square foot, glass fronted showroom will open later this year, in the town that is synonymous with historic automobiles and all of the passion that they evoke”.
The motor industry in Auburn was born in 1875, when Charles Eckhart founded the Eckhart Carriage Company. His sons began experimenting with automobile construction, before moving onto vehicle manufacture as a full blown commercial enterprise. In 1919 the brothers sold the company to a group of Chicago investors, who were in turn bought out by E. L.Cord, a successful entrepreneur and car salesman of his day. Cord went on to partner with the Duesenberg Corporation in 1926, renowned for its racing cars which had triumphed at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans and at the Indianapolis 500. From this union a generation of unmatchable automobiles was born, revered for both style and engineering: cars with a glamour, cachet and price tag that made them the natural choice of the rich and the famous worldwide, among them Clark Gable, the Duke of Windsor and the Maharajah of India.
John Kruse, Managing Partner of the Worldwide Group, said; “Those of us privileged enough to work in this industry are involved in more than a simple transfer of assets. In my view we are also the custodians of some of the finest examples of automotive history ever conceived, with a responsibility to future generations. There is no more fitting place for us to headquarter than Auburn, Indiana, with its retrospective and evolving role as the home of the classic car industry, ”.
The Worldwide Group showroom will open later this year, in the town which is home also to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, itself a National Historic Landmark and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, held every Labor Day weekend.
For further information, please contact Rod Egan or John Kruse on 260-927-0000, or visit us online at www.wwgauctions.com
