Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum News Release - Museum prepares for busy festival weekend
 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton |
Starting off its Labor Day weekend activities this year is a new event at the museum on Thursday evening, August 31. The First Annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum Benefit Extravaganza will include an evening of drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a gourmet dinner, live music and after-hours museum touring, a silent auction, and a live auction including automotive art featuring premium pieces from the nation’s finest automotive artists and a live automobile auction of eight premiere, seldom if ever auctioned before, automobiles.
The museum will host its ninth annual “Dry, Sweet and Classic: A Wine Tasting” on Friday, Sept. 1, from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in the galleries. Gourmet foods will be provided to compliment the taste of the many fine wines. Pianists Dave Latchaw and Reggie Berg will play jazz music to accompany the 1930s art deco décor.
The first annual “Connecting Rods Brunch” for former employees and family members connected with the Auburn Automobile Company or Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Company will be held at the museum Saturday, September 2 from 10 a.m.-Noon. The new Connecting Rods program is dedicated to documenting personal, family or organizational ties to the Auburn Automobile Company and the employees. Those attending are welcome to bring items to share and stories to tell.
The Living Legend of the Portz-Bortz Cord will be presented in the former company showroom on Saturday afternoon, September 2. Three of the previous owners of this 1937 Cord Convertible Coupe will be behind the ropes at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum to answer questions from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. This car was featured and road tested in an extensive article in Motor Trend Magazine 50 years ago in 1956.
On Saturday evening, Sept. 2, museum members will take to the dance floor at the annual gala ball from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. This year’s ball, “Rhapsody in Blue,” features drink specials and a hors d’oeuvres buffet. The New Millennium Jazz Orchestra will provide Big Band music for dancing. Dress is semi-formal. The ball is a great time to become a museum member, as memberships will be sold at the door during the evening.
The museum will benefit from the annual Invitational Art Show and Sale at the Kruse International Auction Park on Friday through Monday, Sept. 1-4. The nation’s top automotive artists will display their works for show and sale during the weekend.
A live automotive art auction will cap the event on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. at the Duesenberg Building at Kruse International Auction Park, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum.
The artist receiving the Museums’ Choice Award will be chosen by representatives of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, and the Kruse Automotive and Carriage Museum and World War II Victory Museum. He or she will be featured in a one-person show for one month each at both museums early next year.
The museum will play host to several other events during the weekend including: the departure of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival’s Hoosier Tour on Tuesday, Aug. 29 and kick-off luncheon and return of the Hoosier Tour on Thursday, August 31 and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Ladies’ Tea on Friday, Sept. 1 and Awards Banquet on Sunday. Sept. 3.
The not-for-profit Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum is located in the restored 1930 art deco administrative building of the former Auburn Automobile Company. The museum displays 120 classic, antique, vintage and special interest cars in eight galleries. The museum, accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1997, is a National Historic Landmark. It is open to visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.