News Release: Special 1931 Willys-Knight to be sold at Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum Benefit Extravaganza

AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM 

NEWS RELEASE - 8/11/2009

 

For Immediate Release

August 2009

 

CONTACT: 

Matt Short

Executive Vice President

(260) 925-1444 ext. 29 
 

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum to Auction 1931 Willys-Knight with
special significance at the Fourth Annual Benefit Extravaganza.

 

 AUBURN -The Fourth Annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum Benefit
Extravaganza will take place at the museum on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at
6 p.m. The event will include the auctioning of eight spectacular non-museum
collection vehicles. One car in particular has a very special story and
promises a very special outcome.

This vehicle was owned by museum volunteer Paul Casebere. In 1927 Paul began
his automotive career at the age of 12, working for a Willys dealership in
Edgerton, Ohio. He started out sweeping the floors and was soon driving
customers home and learning to work on engines. In 1931 he bought a
Willys-Knight touring car with a sleeve-valve engine for $25. He dated Mary,
his wife of 70 years, in that car. He later purchased a Willys-Knight that
was very similar to this car. He was captivated by the engine design and
longed for another. 

In July 2003 he purchased this car in pieces. Unfortunately, he became ill
in the fall of 2004 and passed away in February 2005. His friends on the
museum's automotive "Pit Crew" who had worked with him while he was
restoring the car, finished it for him after his death. The car was
completed in December 2005 and has been exhibited at the museum since its
completion. It has had a very correct and complete restoration and is in
good running and driving condition. Paul rebuilt the engine himself, and it
is probably the last Willys-Knight in the world with a recent rebuild from a
dealer-trained mechanic. 

            The Casebere family graciously donated the automobile to the
Museum to be sold with the proceeds being directed by the family as a down
payment on a much-needed new museum automotive maintenance shop for Paul's
beloved "Pit Crew" to work in. The car embodies the true spirit of
volunteerism and friendship.

            The need for a new automotive maintenance shop became critical
and urgent when the Pit Crew was suddenly moved out of its work location to
allow ground contamination clean up of the area that had functioned as a gas
station for decades prior to the 1970s.  The museum is currently fundraising
to provide space to repair, maintain and preserve its historic automobile
collection.  The Pit Crew's hard work has been instrumental in the museum
many achievements including its National Historic Landmark status and museum
accreditation. Pit Crew activities are crucial to the museum's core
activities and mission.

            The Fourth Annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
Benefit Extravaganza sponsors to-date include Kruse International, The
Worldwide Group-Auctioneers, RM Auctions,  Amelia Island Concours
d'Elegance, Sandra and Gene Davenport, Do it Best Corp, FedEx Auto
Transport, Hagerty Insurance Agency, Steel Dynamics, Inc and Valeo Financial
Advisors.

            The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum - where the world's
finest cars of yesterday live today! Over 120 classic, antique, vintage and
special interest cars are displayed with other automotive related exhibits
on three floors. The museum is located in the original 1930s national
headquarters of the legendary Auburn Automobile Company and is a National
Historic Landmark. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. year round.
In 2009, plan a visit and bring your family to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg
Automobile Museum, a place where automotive history comes to life!
automobilemuseum.org 

 

 

 

For more information about the Extravaganza or the automobiles to be
offered, please call 260-925-1444 extension 29.

 

Photo Caption: Paul Casebere's friends on the "Pit Crew" who completed work
on his beloved  1931 Willys-Knight that will be sold to at the Auburn Cord
Duesenberg Automobile Museum Benefit Extravaganza and proceeds will be a
begin a fundraising effort for a much needed museum automotive maintenance
shop.

 

 

Kendra Klink

Operations Director

 

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK

Accredited by the American Association of Museums

1600 South Wayne Street

P.O. Box 271

Auburn, Indiana 46706

Office: (260) 925-1444 x 32

Fax: (260) 925-6266

 

kendrak@automobilemuseum.org

 

 <http://www.automobilemuseum.org> www.automobilemuseum.org