Roger Learmonth knew the whole story behind this car:
This was originally ordered from the Auburn Company by a Philippines plantation owner in 1934 because he was courting a socialite, and in an effort to win her hand, he asked what she most craved and she told him, “a fast sports car”.
It was delivered in 1935
Eduardo’s father felt the need to interfere, and instead sent hi son on a world cruise, and when he returned, in 1938, he discovered that his love had found another, and he lost interest in the Auburn.
His brother took over and used the car as part of a playboy lifestyle until 1941 when the Japanese arrived, and the car was hid from enemy eyes at the plantation.
In 1968 the Speedster was still in the Philippines where it sat forlornly for many years while Senor Montinola fought off all attempts by eager buyers. In 1986, however, the Auburn was discovered and purchased only to be flipped for profit over and over, (seven owners over the years) and "restored" a couple of times, as it's evident that the 1st couple of "restorations" weren't actually restoring the car, but making it pretty for winning awards on the show circuit.
When sent to the UK for a rebuild in 1986, the metalwork was found to be in as new condition with the vast amount of lead filling and shaping still in place (as it is today). The wooden structure however was very rotten and had to be almost completely replaced. The restorer found a fourteen inch mummified bat in the boat tail.
There were only 11 right hand drive Auburn Supercharged Speedsters made in 1935-36
When discovered in 1986, all the instruments were damaged, replaced or non-functioning except the speedometer which now shows just under 17,000 miles. The car has been kept as original as possible except for a conversion to twelve volts, and the addition of turn signals for motoring safety and law conformity
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