PRESENTED BY THE AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG FESTIVAL - TITLE SPONSOR: Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg ...
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PRESENTED BY THE AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL EVENT GUIDE FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2021
TITLE SPONSOR:
WELCOME
Hello and welcome to Auburn! On finishing with the hot cars of the
behalf of the Board of Directors Fast and Fabulous downtown
and our Executive Director Leslie celebration on Saturday night.
Peel, I would like to welcome
everyone back to the Auburn We also have great music,
Cord Duesenberg Festival. After food and drink to enjoy while
a tumultuous year for us all, we you are walking around the
are looking forward to reuniting historic downtown area. Our
around our shared love of the sincerest thanks go to the many
beautiful cars built in our city. We businesses and supporters who
are excited about this year’s theme have stepped up to make this
of “The Roaring ‘20s” and honoring year’s Festival happen. We are
Women Behind the Wheel. During extremely grateful for their
the Festival, we will showcase generosity and humbly request
female owners, drivers and car that you support our sponsors,
enthusiasts from every generation. advertisers and Friends of the
Festival listed in this magazine.
Our Board of Directors has put
together a great weekend of Again, thank you for visiting the
cars and entertainment for Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival.
MIKE BOSWELL We look forward to seeing you
everyone’s enjoyment. There will
PRESIDENT again at the World’s Greatest
be cars galore from the downtown
ACD Festival Board of Directors Classic Car Show and Festival.
cruise-in on Friday showcasing
nearly 700 vehicles of all makes,
models and years through the
beautiful and classic Auburns,
Cords and Duesenbergs, and
ACD FESTIVAL: with community progress and
A TESTAMENT OF AUBURN’S unity as we strived to support one
ENDURING SPIRIT another. We forged new paths –
and the future is looking brighter.
Like all of you, I’m sure glad to
be back in person celebrating I can’t help but see parallels
the Auburn Cord Duesenberg between the festival and our
Festival. This annual event community. So, as we come
has long paid homage to our together to mark another year
community’s rich automobile of this spectacular festival, let’s
heritage, reminding residents and also celebrate the resolve and
visitors alike why Auburn is truly resurgence of the festival and our
“Home of the Classics.” It’s one community. That makes me excited
of my favorite times of the year! and hopeful for all of our futures!
After a tough 2020, we have a There’s something for everyone
lot to celebrate! The return of at this year’s Auburn Cord
this live event reminds us of the Duesenberg Festival. On behalf of
enduring spirit of our community. the City of Auburn, we welcome
Over the past year, I’ve seen you and hope your festival
people come together to help visit is a memorable one. MIKE LEY
others – even people they didn’t MAYOR
know. We balanced out all the
setbacks caused by COVID-19
4 AUBURN
WELCOME
On behalf of the Auburn Cord For 2021, the ACD Club and Festival participate in the incomparable
Duesenberg Club, I would like will celebrate the “Year of the “Parade of Classics” which draws
to welcome you to the 65th ACD Roaring ‘20s” which was a decade visitors from around the world.
Festival and our Annual ACD that saw large steps forward
Club Reunion. We are excited in the evolution of automobile Thank you for coming to Auburn,
and happy to have you back design and production. We will Indiana, over Labor Day weekend.
home again in Indiana for one also have a special feature of I hope you enjoy the delightful
of America’s finest classic car “Women Behind the Wheel” that offerings from the City of Auburn,
shows. The City of Auburn holds celebrates women who drive, ACD Festival, ACD Club, Auburn
a special place in the hearts of car own and cherish these beautiful Cord Duesenberg Automobile
enthusiasts because it is the home classics. This celebration begins and NATMUS Museums, The Early
of one of the most dynamic and on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 11:45 a.m. Ford V-8 Foundation Museum,
innovative automobile companies when the “Hoosier Tour” returns to Worldwide and RM-Sotheby’s Fall
the world has ever known. Auburn to kick off the ACD Festival Auctions and the great Hoosier
and Reunion. Come and view hospitality of Auburn’s citizens. For
Founded in 1900, the Auburn the stunning lineup of Auburns, 35 years I have enjoyed my annual
Automobile Company produced Cords and Duesenbergs in front visit to Auburn to reunite with
iconic Auburn, Cord and of the world class ACDA Museum. friends and enjoy these beautiful
Duesenberg automobiles that classics. I hope you find your visit
reached the pinnacle of artistic You can continue to see the ACD to Auburn as rewarding as I have
beauty and innovative mechanical Classics in downtown Auburn experienced these many years.
design. Today, you can visit the at the “9 th Street Experience” Let the grand party begin!
original headquarters of the throughout the entire Labor
Auburn Automobile Company Day Weekend. On Saturday Best wishes,
to see firsthand where all the morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
magic happened during this venture to Eckhart Park on the CR AIG BIRKHOLD
wonderful period of early south side of Auburn to join us PRESIDENT
automobile manufacturing. for our annual gathering of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg ACD classic cars. The ACD Club
acdclub.org
Automobile Museum displays welcomes the public to view
these timeless classics for your this spectacle which happens
enjoyment in the original factory only one day a year in Auburn.
showroom that was built in 1929. At 1 p.m., the ACD Club will
6 AUBURN
TABLE OF
FE AT U R E PROFILE FE AT U R E
12 16
EMPLOYEES, CULTURE MAKE
18
AUBURN & THE ROARING ‘20s SDI A SUCCESS GRAND MARSHAL
LY N S T. JA M E S
STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.
FE AT U R E PROFILE FE AT U R E
24 26 28
2020: THE FESTIVAL THAT INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE WOMEN BEHIND THE WHEEL
DIDN’T HAPPEN M E TA L X
PROFILE FE AT U R E PROFILE
34
THE EVOLUTION OF
36 60
WHERE CAREER AND PERSONAL
DOLLY MULFORD – LADY
NORTHEAST INDIANA WINE PIONEER OF THE PITS GROWTH MEET
CO U N T R Y H E R I TAG E W I N E R Y HEIDTMAN STEEL
8 AUBURNCONTENTS
PROFILE
ADDITIONAL
40
FES TIVAL MAP
43
EVENTS CALENDAR
22 58
4QS WITH ARIELL RASSI
FAST AND FABULOUS
SWEETCARS, LLC
62
MISS AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG
66
FRIENDS OF THE FES TIVAL
FE AT U R E
67
BUSINESS FRIENDS
OF THE FES TIVAL
68
CHEERS TO THE FES TIVAL &
DA N C I N G W I T H T H E D E K A L B S TA R S
69
F R I DAY D O W N T O W N
30
ACD FES TIVAL CRUISE- IN
70
PA R A D E O F CL A SSI C S
ERRETT LOBBAN (E.L.) CORD
71
TICKET TO RIDE
PROFILE
72
FA S T & FABULO US
74
B A S I C I N F O R M AT I O N &
SPONSOR RECOGNITION
76
ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
78
THANK YOU FROM THE
64
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
REPUTATION FOR QUALITY
MICHAEL KINDER & SONS
2021 9BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD MEMBERS
FIRST ROW SECOND ROW THIRD ROW TOP ROW
LEFT TO RIGHT LEFT TO RIGHT LEFT TO RIGHT LEFT TO RIGHT
Mike Boswell Brandon Anderson Jon Bill Travis Sprouse
PRESIDENT
Amanda Peet Robert Probst Don Monesmith
Amber Caccamo F E S T I VA L A R T I S T
Mike Payne Tim Butler
Cecile Weir Bill Hohler VICE PRESIDENT
TREASURER
John Maloy
Leslie Peel
EXECUTIVE DIREC TOR
Damian Dunn
NOT PICTURED
Troy Ackerman Josh Conrad Nick Scheumann Thompson Smith
S E C R E TA R Y
PUBLISHED BY © 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Michiana Business Publications, Inc. AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG FESTIVAL, INC.
P.O. Box 6019
COVER PHOTO BY 1600 Wayne St. | Auburn, Indiana 46706
Jeffrey Crane (260) 925-3600 | acdfestival.org
10 AUBURNAUBURN
THE ROARING ‘20s
ARTICLE BY SAM GRATE, C U R AT O R , AUBUR N CO R D DUE SENB ERG AU TOM O B ILE MUSEUM
PHOTOGR APHY BY JEFFREY CRANE & PROVIDED
The year 1927 was marked by the brought more engineering,
end of a mild recession, followed by innovation and the capability for
a 39 percent increase in stock prices. increased production. Everything was
Growth was quick, and world firsts looking very good for the Auburn
were accomplished. Charles Lindbergh Automobile Company going into 1927.
flew solo in The Spirit of St. Louis
from New York to Paris on May 20-21.
Work began on Mount Rushmore.
The first transatlantic phone call
“ DRIVE AN AUBURN STRAIGHT-EIGHT
was placed from New York City to
London. The manufacturing industry AND IF IT DOES NOT SELL ITSELF,
of consumer goods was in the middle YOU WILL NOT BE ASKED TO BUY”
of an unparalleled boom, fueled by
the automobile industry. This also
included the Auburn Automobile
Company. All this prosperity led to In 1927, Auburn doubled down on
the nickname the Roaring ‘20s. their successful use of Lycoming
eight-cylinder engines – utilizing two
E.L. Cord looked to prove himself as a versions of the Lycoming engine, the
young and successful new company powerful 8-88 and the smaller 8-77
president. After a very successful – at a more economical price. This
1926, which included $10.8 million in allowed the company to appeal to
sales, over $942,000 in profits, and a wider base. Auburn also included
the acquisition of the Duesenberg a Continental-built 6-cylinder
Automobile and Motors Company engine, the last year they would
and the Ansted Engineering Facility use Continental. Accordingly, Cord
in Connersville, Indiana, he looked to acquired the Lycoming Manufacturing
grow the company. These acquisitions Company in September of
12 AUBURN2021 13
1927, and used them as the sole supplier
of engines. This move allowed Cord to
have control over the company, what
they designed and built, and the cost of
which they used in the automobiles.
The 8-88 model included two wheelbase
versions with eight different body styles
in total. The 8-77 and 6-66A models
each had their own specific wheelbase
with four body styles available. These
Auburns were attractively priced within
the $1,500 range, amongst the lowest
in the industry for eight-cylinder cars.
Production was well and truly ramping up.
Indeed, the production for 1927 totaled
14,515 cars, a 67.5 percent increase from
1926. The closed cars, i.e. the sedan and
broughams, were the company’s bread
and butter, accounting for 73.8 percent of
production. The 8-77 cabriolet accounted
for a mere 3 percent of production, totaling
just 436 examples. Of those built, this
is the only one known left in existence.
By comparison, sedans accounted for
40.5 percent of production. Auburn would
then see a reduction in total production the
years following until their highest total in
peak 1931 with over 34,000 examples built.
5Qs WITH FRED PRATT
OWNER OF THIS YEAR’S POSTER CAR
HOW LONG HAVE YOU SINCE YOUR CAR IS THE
HAD YOUR CAR? I bought ACD FESTIVAL POSTER
the car in 2011 while in CAR THIS YEAR, ARE YOU
Auburn for the Festival. EXCITED TO DRIVE IT
AROUND DURING THE
ANY FUN MEMORIES MADE FESTIVAL AND HAVE
WITH YOUR DAUGHTER PEOPLE RECOGNIZE IT?
CAROLYN? We’ve shared Sure. The car is unique and
a number of Festival always attracts attention
activities and Hoosier Tours wherever we drive it.
over the years. Those are
always fun, made much WHAT DOES IT MEAN
better by sharing the car TO YOU TO BE ABLE
and the events with my TO GATHER FOR THE
daughter who is totally FESTIVAL IN PERSON THIS
into that era and especially YEAR AFTER LAST YEAR’S
the ACD automobiles. CANCELLATION? I was
very disappointed to have
WHAT RESTORATIONS (IF the Festival cancelled last
ANY) HAVE YOU DONE year. I’ve been returning
ON THE CAR? None. When to Auburn each year for
I bought the car it was a almost 20 years; it’s always
fully restored ACD Senior been a highlight of my
Emeritus car, certified year. So it will be great
original by the ACD Club. to return this year.
F R E D P R AT T D R I V I N G
I N T H E A C D F E S T I VA L PA R A D E
14 AUBURNTHE 1927 AUBURN 8-77 CABRIOLET and reused, including the paint, which
The 1927 Auburns remained virtually was determined during restoration to
unchanged from the first eight-cylinder still have its original paint. Johnson then
Auburn dreamed by E.L. Cord in 1925. took the Auburn to various shows and
The cabriolet production began in the received an AACA Grand National Award
summer of 1927, and Auburn was one and a Primary First and Senior First at the
of the first automobile companies to Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Festival. The
build a production cabriolet. The top Auburn was sold in 2003 after 40 years of
CELEBRATING WOMEN
was retractable with the help of the ownership in the Johnson family. It then BEHIND THE WHEEL
attractive landau bar. The accent-colored traded hands several times before being
beltline ran gracefully down the hood purchased by its current owner, Fred
all the way to the very rear of the car. Pratt of Santa Maria, California, in 2011.
Unique to the cabriolet body style was
the fold-down jump seat and golf bag Just as this year’s ACD Festival marks
compartment, which allowed access the Roaring ‘20s, the 1927 Auburn is
for either storage or extra passenger indicative of a roaring time at the Auburn
capacity. The Lycoming GT engine had a Automobile Company with a bright,
226 cubic-inch (3.7L) displacement and young president, increased production,
produced 62 horsepower. The body was greater sales and net income. While
built at Central Manufacturing Company, the Auburns of the 1920s are not the
in Connersville, Indiana. Overall, the most common or sought after, they are
cabriolet weighs 3,170 pounds. As new, the important as they showcase the evolution
1927 Auburn 8-77 cabriolet cost $1,495. of the company, the time in which they
existed, and the industry as a whole.
While the ownership history of the They reflect the growth of the Auburn
Auburn is unclear before 1961, its Automobile Company, from racing success
longest-term owner, Wilbur Johnson to sales success, from new technologies
owned the Auburn for 40 years. He to industry-adopted innovations. They
began a body-off restoration effort showed that the company had a bright
which was later completed in 1997. future ahead backed by a successful leader
Nearly all original parts were restored in E.L. Cord. And the rest is history!
2021 15Jordan Breiner, General Manager, Steel Dynamics’ Flat Roll Division, Butler
EMPLOYEES, CULTURE
MAKE SDI A SUCCESS
S T E E L DY N A M I C S I S D O I N G M O R E T H A N R O L L I N G S T E E L .
ARTICLE BY Janet Patterson | PHOTOGRAPHY Provided
Jordan Breiner wasn’t sure what he After earning his bachelor’s degree “there is never a substitute for the
wanted to study in college until a from the University of Illinois, he went higher-level thinking and problem-
metallurgist walked into his high to work for National Steel in Granite solving that our operators do.
school classroom in Breese, Illinois. City, Illinois, and participated in an
engineer exchange program that took “Our founders set a tone that everyone
“When they started talking about him to Kawasaki and Fukuyama, Japan. from the person sweeping the floor
shape memory alloys and changing to the people at the highest levels of
the limits of what’s possible, I thought While working for National Steel, he heard management are a part of the team.
that was pretty cool,” Breiner recalls. a presentation by the three founders of They show it in both word and deed.”
SDI, Mark Millett, Dick Teets and Keith
Now he’s a metallurgical engineer Busse. “What each said in their own way The encouragement of growth and
and the general manager of the Steel was that anybody can buy this equipment innovation at all levels gives the
Dynamics’ Flat Roll Division in Butler, to make steel, but they are not going to culture at SDI an edge that far exceeds
the first of the company’s operations. do what SDI can do because our most the more than 3 million tons of steel
valuable asset is our employees.” produced by the division every year.
In addition to making steel strip that can “The sense of ‘belongingness’ makes
be as thin as one-hundredth of an inch, The philosophy made sense to Breiner, working here more than a job. We really
the Butler plant produces steel used in who was accustomed to hierarchical operate as a family, and that shows in
automotive, construction, transportation, decision-making. He began his career the quality of our products and the
agriculture and consumer goods. During with SDI in 1997, and was named general outstanding service we provide.”
the initial stage of COVID-19, Breiner manager for the Butler division in 2014.
says SDI discovered the plant was
making steel for parts used in thousands Breiner says that although a lot
of hospital beds being built for over- of automation has made steel-
taxed hospitals around the world. making more precise and efficient,
Aside from his passion for making
massive coils of high-quality steel with
state-of-the-art mini-mill technology
STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. – BUTLER DIVISION
that is efficient and environmentally
friendly, Breiner likes to talk about 4 5 0 0 C O U N T Y R O A D 5 9 | B U T L E R , I N D I A N A 4 67 21
the people and the culture at SDI. (260) 868 - 8000 | S T E E LDY N A M I C S.CO M/B U T LE R
16 AUBURNGrand PHOTOGRAPHY IMS PHOTO ARCHIVE COPYRIGHT NO OWNERSHIP OR COPYRIGHT IN ANY IMAGE SHALL PASS TO YOU BY ISSUE OF THE LICENSE. ALL IMAGES ARE THE PROPERT Y OF INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY AND ARE SUBJEC T TO COPYRIGHT L AWS. ALL RIGHTS AND RESTRIC TIONS ARE RESERVED.
LY N S T. J A M E S I S O N E O F O N LY N I N E W O M E N T O
R AC E T H E I N DY 50 0 A N D T H E F I R S T W O M A N T O W I N
T H E R O O K I E O F T H E Y E A R AWA R D AT T H AT R AC E .
W I T H A C A R E E R S PA N N I N G A L M O S T T W O D E C A D E S
A N D T R AV E L S A L L O V E R T H E W O R L D, S T. J A M E S N O W
F O C U S E S O N G I V I N G B AC K T O T H E N E X T G E N E R AT I O N
O F F E M A L E R AC E R S . T H E AC D F E S T I VA L I S H O N O R E D
T O H AV E H E R A S T H E 2021 G R A N D M A R S H A L .
T H E T H E M E O F T H E A C D F E S T I VA L T H I S Y E A R I S W O M E N
B E H I N D T H E W H E E L . YO U A R E O N E O F O N LY N I N E
W O M E N W H O H AV E R A C E D T H E I N DY 5 0 0 , W H AT D O E S
T H AT M E A N T O YO U T O B E A F E M A L E P I O N E E R I N S U C H
A L O N G S TA N D I N G R A C E ? After racing for almost 20 years,
to achieve the goal of racing in the Indianapolis 500 felt out
of reach. To be able to finally do it, then earn Rookie of the
Year honors, was over the top. But I immediately started
working on continuing my pursuit of not only continuing
to race in Indycar, but to do whatever I could to help the
future drivers achieve their dreams. I’m very proud that
more followed and that nine women have raced in the 500.
Now we just need to continue to support women in racing
so that those who have the talent and desire will reach
their full potential, which will also help grow the sport.
YO U R A C E D A C R O S S T H E W O R L D O V E R A N U M B E R O F
Y E A R S , I S T H E R E O N E R A C E T H AT S T O O D O U T T O A S
PA R T I C U L A R LY C H A L L E N G I N G ? I would have to say the
24 Hours of LeMans. It’s such a long course (over 8 miles)
that consists of both permanent track and public roads,
with a very long straight (3 miles) which means traveling
over 200 mph for the length of the straightaway. It’s such
a historical race, and it was so important for me to be
able to race in it, which I did in 1989, and again in 1991.
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S O N YO U R R E C E N T H O N O R , B E I N G
N A M E D T H E 26TH A N N UA L A M E L I A I S L A N D CO N CO U R S
D ’ E L E G A N C E H O N O R E E . C A N YO U T E L L U S A B O U T T H E
AWA R D? Every year the event founder and organizer,
Bill Warner, selects a racing driver that he and his team
feel embodies the world of motorsports. I’ve admired
the previous 25 drivers who have been honored and had
no idea I would ever be considered for such an honor.
P L E A S E T E L L U S A L I T T L E B I T A B O U T YO U R W O M E N
I N T H E W I N N E R ’ S C I R C L E F O U N D AT I O N . I created the
foundation in 1994, and after 20 years of training over
230 female racers from all over the world, I transferred
the funds into the Women’s Sports Foundation Project
Podium Scholarship Fund. This year, with the support of
many individuals and organizations, and the six major U.S.
sanctioning bodies in racing, we now have the Women in
the Winner’s Circle Contingency Program. The professional
female racer who earns the most points based on finishing
positions for the season will receive $150,000 towards
her next season in racing. The fund will also provide
gap funding for non-driving careers in motorsports.
YO U S P E N T A L O T O F T I M E I N I N D I A N A AT T H E I N DY
5 0 0 , A R E YO U L O O K I N G F O R WA R D T O B E I N G B A C K
I N I N D I A N A F O R T H E A C D F E S T I VA L? I always love
spending time in Indiana and of course the Indianapolis
500. I also look forward to being at the ACD Festival. It’s
a wonderful celebration of the automotive history.
2021 19P A S T G R A N D M A R S H A L S
1971 1996
P E T E R D E PA O L O DAV E T H O M A S
1972 1997
GORDON BUEHRIG JERRY J. MOORE
1973 1998
H O WA R D “ D U T C H ” DA L E R O B E R T S O N
DA R R I N
1999
1974 JOHN MARTIN SMITH
CHRIS SCHENKEL
2000
1975 KEITH CRAIN
TONY HULMAN
2001
1976 S . T R U E T T C AT H Y
HAROLD AMES
2002
1977 D E N N I S G AG E
GORDON BUEHRIG
2003
1978 DEL MAR JOHNSON
ALICE HUYLER RAMSEY
2004
1979 S A L LY H U M M E L ,
HAROLD AMES NANCY PHELPS AND
SUSAN PEREIR A
1980
ALEX TREMULIS 2005
G L E N N P R AY
1981
DA N H AG G A R T Y 2006
DEL MAR JOHNSON
1982
G O R D O N J O H N CO C K 2007
DORIS JOHNSON
1983
ROBERT ORR 2008
CLINT STEPHENS
1984
V I R G I N I A CO R D 2009
CLIVE CUSSLER
1985
JOHN MUTZ 2010
PAU L & M A R T H A
1986
B R YA N T
T H O M A S M O N AG H A N
2011
1987
THE GORDON
DENNY DUESENBERG B U E H R I G FA M I LY
1988
2012
RICHARD KUGHN BOBBY UNSER
1989
2013
CHRIS SCHENKEL WAY N E C A R I N I
1990
2014
K AY B U E H R I G CO U R T N E Y H A N S E N
1991
2015
C ARROLL SHELBY THREE RANGERS
1992 F O U N DAT I O N
A N DY G R A N AT E L L I 2016
1993 JOHN SOUDER
DEAN KRUSE 2017
1994 JAMES OT TO
R O D G E R WA R D 2018
1995 A D D I S O N AG E N
FR ANK BORMAN 2019
D E N N I S CO V E R T
20 AUBURNMichael Barney, General Manager, SweetCars
FAST AND FABULOUS
S W E E T C A R S P O W E R S A PA R T O F AC D F E S T I VA L .
ARTICLE BY Janet Patterson | PHOTOGRAPHY Provided
What happens when a group of car Barney’s reaction to hearing that cars and exotic cars. “We’ve sold cars to
enthusiasts want to start a business? this year’s festival was expected buyers in 49 of the 50 states. The only
Well, in Fort Wayne, the result is to happen was, “Awesome, let’s one we haven’t sold to is Hawaii.” They
SweetCars, the first member of the see how SweetCars can help!” find ones for people who are looking
Sweet Family of companies started by for a particular make and model.
Sweetwater owner Chuck Surack. Besides having attended the festival
every year since he was a child, Barney’s SweetCars goes through a rigorous
And what kind of person do those car connection to the festival was firmly inspection process to guarantee the
enthusiasts want to be in charge? Well, cemented when in college. His first integrity of each vehicle. The SweetCars
at SweetCars it’s Michael Barney, who task when working as a part-time service department provides any
admits to no other passion than cars. porter for SweetCars was to pick up vehicle owner – whether they have
cars from the 2011 ACD Festival. a Lamborghini or a minivan – with
“I’m not an athlete. I don’t fish or golf personalized service for repairs and
or play baseball. My thing is cars,” says The IPFW business school student everything from basic detailing to
Barney, who has been general manager was in his element. He worked his high line detailing and protection
of SweetCars since 2017. Growing up in way from porter, to detailer, to sales, packages. “We also have packages for
a family of auto enthusiasts, his passion sales manager, operations manager boats and motorcycles. It’s like having
for cars started when he was still in and finally general manager. your own personal concierge.”
a stroller and his family went to the
annual Auburn car auction every year. While Barney’s favorite collector car is
the tiny BMW Isetta, he spends his days
Barney says he dreamed of getting buying and selling later model cars,
SweetCars involved in the Auburn Cord high line luxury, performance sports
Duesenberg Festival, and it was about to
happen last year. SweetCars was all set to
host the Saturday evening cruise-in, Fast SWEETCARS, LLC
and Fabulous – Powered by SweetCars.
Then came COVID, and the 2 4 0 4 W. J E F F E R S O N B LV D . | F O R T W AY N E , I N D I A N A 4 6 8 0 2
festival was cancelled. ( 2 6 0 ) 2 07 -2 27 7 | S W E E T C A R S . C O M
G E NE R AL MANAG E R: MICHAEL BARNEY
22 AUBURN2021 23
2020:THE FESTIVAL While the 2020 ACD Festival ultimately did not happen, planning and preparations were already underway last spring. We didn’t want to overlook last year’s festival theme, celebrating the 120 th anniversary of the Auburn Automobile Company and the 2020 poster car. Take a look back at the Festival that never was. PHOTOGR APHY BY Jeffrey Crane & Courtesy of the Archives Department, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum 24
ST
R ARTI
POSTE
T I VA L
CD FES
P E E T, A
AM ANDA
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN
2021 25INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE
M E TA L X T R A N S F O R M S T H E S C R A P M E TA L I N D U S T RY F O R T H E 21 S T C E N T U RY.
ARTICLE BY Janet Patterson | PHOTOGR APHY BY Jeffrey Crane
MetalX is not your grandfather’s generations of Rifkins were back in the square foot facility on almost 30 acres
scrap metal dealer. business, starting MetalX on a 70-acre of land. Fort Wayne is a smaller facility
site in Waterloo with a vision to build an focusing on community recycling, and
When Russian immigrant Irving Rifkin innovative company focused on meeting the company’s newest plant in Delta is
borrowed $750 to buy a stake truck for the complex demands of the future. a high-capacity ferrous processing yard
collecting scrap metal, did he imagine across from North Star Bluescope Steel.
what his fledgling business could become? “We are using more advanced processing
Today, just eight years after returning and separation technologies in our MetalX sources scrap primarily from
to the industry, his grandson Danny processes for recycling both ferrous industrial generators, wholesale
and great-grandson Neal have grown and nonferrous scrap,” Rifkin says. “As dealers, auto parts recyclers and
MetalX into a business that processed design and performance requirements demolition contractors throughout
more than 1.6 billion pounds of ferrous for end-use metal products have become the eastern United States, and ships its
and non-ferrous metals last year. more complex, the application of new products regionally, domestically and
technologies to recycle scrap into more in some cases, to Europe and Asia.
Could Irving have foreseen the refined secondary materials has driven
development of technologies that tremendous advances in our industry, “Technology to develop new capabilities
now transform raw scrap metals into and our company, in particular.” for scrap processing developed gradually
specialized products used by producers of over several decades,” Rifkin says.
iron, steel, copper, and aluminum to make MetalX has grown to four locations, with “But as we see trends that move auto
complex alloys for today’s latest metal sites in Auburn, Fort Wayne and Delta, components from steel to aluminum, and
products? “We’ve taken the old-time scrap Ohio. The Auburn site, a state-of-the-art the rapid migration to electric vehicles
business of the 50s and 60s and applied facility focused on non-ferrous metals and new energy, we’re always trying
science and technology to turn it into a such as copper and aluminum, is a 250,000 to look forward to what is next.”
model of 21st century recycling,” MetalX
President and CEO Danny Rifkin says.
METALX
The business Irving started was
transformed by his son Leonard, and then
his three sons, into Omnisource, one of 2 9 5 S . C O M M E R C E D R I V E | W AT E R L O O , I N D I A N A 4 67 93 ( C O R P. H E A D Q U A R T E R S )
the largest scrap companies in North 1101 O R E N D R I V E | A U B U R N , I N D I A N A 4 670 6
7 3 0 0 S TAT E H I G H W AY 10 9 | D E LTA , O H I O 4 3515
America when the Rifkins sold to SDI in
2 2 2 2 W. C O L I S E U M B LV D . | F O R T W AY N E , I N D I A N A 4 6 8 0 8
2007. By late 2012, the third and fourth ( 2 6 0 ) 2 32 - 3 0 0 0 | M E TA L X . C O M | P R E S I D E N T & C E O : D A N N Y R I F K I N
26 AUBURNBehind
came to his first ACD Reunion in 1957 at age
16. He has never missed a reunion, and my
mom Carol has only missed a few herself
since 1969. Throughout the years, my dad
held many positions in the Club, including
ACD Club President in 1973. When I was
growing up, I watched his involvement, and
was pleased to get involved myself when
I became an adult. It was quite something
to be the second ACD Club President in
our family. Coming to the ACD Festival has
always been a family event for us, and now
my family and my parents all come together
when we make the trip from New Jersey.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT
THE FESTIVAL? I have two favorite Festival
events. The first is the return of the ACD
Festival Hoosier Tour to the ACDA Museum on
Thursday at noon for the Kick-Off Luncheon.
For me, the arrival of the Tour cars begins my
weekend. I love watching the cars arrive on
South Wayne Street, and seeing my friends
who have just come from the tour. My other
favorite event is the ACD Parade on Saturday
afternoon. Whether I am driving, riding in
or watching the Parade, it is always fun for
L I N DS E Y G R E E N E B A R R E T T me and my entire family, and it never fails
AC D C LU B PA S T N AT I O N A L to be a fantastic array of ACD automobiles
P R E S I D E N T, AC D C LU B B OA R D through the streets in Auburn, Indiana. I
OF DIREC TORS MEMBER look forward to many more years of coming
to the ACD Festival!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A
MEMBER AND PAST PRESIDENT OF THE C A R O LY N
ACD CLUB? I am a proud member of the S PR I N C H O R N
ACD Club and am honored to have served
as a Board Member for nine years and ACD WAS IT FUN GROWING
Club President for two years. The ACD UP IN A FAMILY THAT
Club is an incredible organization whose HAS BEEN PASSIONATE
members are devoted to the preservation of ABOUT CARS? Yes – great
these fine automobiles and their placement fun! I have many happy
W O M E N H AV E B E E N
in automotive history. Our Club is filled memories not only of car
A N I N T E G R A L PA R T
with volunteers who dedicate their time tours and shows attended
OF THE AUTOMOTIVE
and lend their expertise to help others with my family, but also
INDUSTRY FROM THE
interested in ACD cars. I look forward to of various car projects/
VERY BEGINNING. HERE
many more years of Club membership and repairs conducted in our
WE HONOR WOMEN
volunteerism, and many more trips to Auburn garage. My dad has always
BEHIND THE WHEEL,
for the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival. loved cars – working on
F R O M T H E V E R Y F I R S T,
TO THE CURRENT WOMEN WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP IN A them, admiring them from
DRIVING WHEREVER CAR FAMILY? Antique cars, especially ACD a far and touring/showing
THEIR WHEELS WILL cars, have always been a part of my life. As a them. It has been a great
TA K E T H E M . kid, my family went to car events throughout pleasure for me to share
the country, including Auburn for every this passion with him
PHOTOGRAPHY
Labor Day Weekend. My dad, Dick Greene, and to learn from him.
PROVIDED
28 AUBURNthe Wheel
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING
ABOUT THE ACD FESTIVAL? That’s a
tough one to answer! Initially my favorite
part was the time spent learning about
the cars – how they work, how to tell
one model year from another and their
history. A lot of this information came
from time spent in parking lots listening
to conversations about why a car had
broken down and what should be done to
fix it. I loved those evenings most. More
recently, I find myself enjoying the sense
of community found in sharing this great
KELLIE This “sickness” has followed me into
hobby with others. But from the start of
JA N O U S E K adulthood. My husband, Brad, and I
my time attending the festival, the best
continue our family traditions. We own a
part has been time spent with my dad.
classic car restoration business and love
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO DID YOU GROW UP IN A CAR FAMILY
to tour in our cars at every opportunity.
BE A MEMBER OF THE ACD CLUB AND WHAT WAS IT LIKE? Like many
ALONGSIDE YOUR FATHER? It means in this crazy hobby, mine is a love affair WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO
a lot. My dad has always encouraged that has spanned a lifetime. For those AT TEND THE ACD FESTIVAL EACH
my spirit of curiosity, and when I began of you who know me, you know that I YEAR AND ENJOY THE FUN? Attending
to show real interest in the cars, he have a passion for all things old car! I the ACD Festival is the highlight of my
welcomed my endless questions about have my grandpa, Byron (Bud) Hicks, to summer. I first attended in 1990 with my
how and why things work the way they thank for this. He took me to my first grandpa. Just as it did the first time, my
do. He has an amazing ability to balance car show when I was four years old, and heart always skips a beat as I drive my
being a great teacher with letting me I have been hooked on cars and the car into Auburn. I truly feel that it is my
learn on my own, in my own way. It makes people associated with them ever since! second home town and that feeling gets
being a member of the ACD Club with Both Jessie, my sister, and I were exposed stronger every year. This is where I come
him really cool because it is something to old cars at a young age. There were to see and spend time “tire kicking” and
we share while also appreciating the frequent rumble seat rides to the local “telling lies” with my “summer family.”
independent ice cream shop; and we were fortunate The weekend signals the end of summer
value it has for to travel throughout the country with and the culmination of the often stressful
each of us. our grandparents in old cars. My grandpa Concours season. To be “Back Home
didn’t own a trailer so we hit the road Again”…means everything to me.
WERE YOU no matter the weather. There are so WOMEN BEHIND THE WHEEL IS THE
EXCITED many memories, but one of the most THEME OF THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR,
WHEN YOU memorable trips was to Indianapolis WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO
HEARD YOUR where we were able to cruise around BE A WOMAN BEHIND THE WHEEL
DAD’S CAR the Brickyard in the rumble seat of a AND MEMBER OF THE ACD CLUB?
WAS THE 1931 Buick Cabriolet that my husband Proud is not a big enough word to
POSTER CAR Brad and I now own. As we got older, describe what this year’s theme means
FOR THE grandpa was really generous with to me! I love driving my Auburn, and I
FESTIVAL? I letting us drive and borrow his ‘40s love the ACD Club! Not only do I drive it
think it’s great. and ‘50s Buicks. My sister was always from Michigan to the Festival every year,
that car is up for a ride or drive, but it was always but my Auburn has served as a grocery
such fun and me hanging around the shop watching getter and faithful tour car. When I first
so cute! I am grandpa work on his restorations. A true drove it in the Parade of Classics in the
pleased to car kid at heart, I always enjoyed a day 1990s, very few women were driving
think that more washing cars and polishing chrome. I also ACD cars. The best part of owning
people will spent many hours perusing automotive these rolling pieces of history is driving
be introduced books and magazines. My high school them so I am thrilled that other ladies
to its unique senior thesis was on the history of in the club are taking the wheel.
charm through Duesenberg, and my senior pictures
the poster. featured me with the ’35 Auburn Coupe.
2021 29ERRETT LOBBA N (E . L .)
THE MAN In 1914, E.L. Cord married Helen Marie of the AAC was not well-equipped to sell
Born in Warrensburg, Missouri, on Frische. By the fall of 1917, the young cars and sales were dwindling as a result.
July 20, 1894, Errett Lobban (E.L.) Cord couple had two boys, Charles Errett Cord Cord noted that there were hundreds
would be destined to learn and refine his and Billy James Cord. Just as the newly of Auburn automobiles in the factory
management and leadership style during formed Cord family was establishing roots collecting dust and enough parts laying
the economic and cultural explosion and settling in Los Angeles, California, E.L. around to build a few hundred more.
of the roaring twenties. In 1911, while decided to move east to Chicago where Cord immediately got to work adding
Cord was in high school, his father died, he would end up working for Jack Quinlan dealers, liquidating the old inventory of
leaving him to care for his mother and selling Moon automobiles. Cord would Auburns and designing the future cars of
sister. Cord’s passion for automobiles and eventually build up a successful dealership the AAC. By 1927, the Auburn Automobile
aptitude for business first merged shortly across the Midwest, and by 1923 had Company was beginning to see significant
after high school, when he began working saved up $50,000 from his enterprise. It growth and Cord was looking to expand
for a car dealership while taking business was now time for a new venture. and innovate. Among his innovative ideas
night classes at the YMCA. By 1913, E.L. was a front-wheel-drive automobile that
E.L. Cord was just the kind of fearless, could be produced in mass numbers. Cord
Cord moved on to another auto dealer. He
savvy automotive entrepreneur that worked on the idea for nearly two years.
discovered a new way to make money by
the Auburn Automobile Company (AAC) 1929 rolled out the Cord L-29, America’s
purchasing a used Ford Model T for $75,
desperately needed. When Cord first came first ever production car utilizing front-
converting it to a speedster, and selling it
to Auburn, he found that management wheel drive. After forming the Cord
to a dealer for $675. He then bought a new
Model T with the profits, converted it, and Corporation and acquiring Duesenberg
sold that car for $1,200. By the end of 1914, Automobile and Motors Company, Cord
Cord had accumulated $10,000 from his OF ALL HIS continued to set automotive records
entrepreneurial ventures and eventually and innovate the technology that would
took a job at the J and B Auto Company. ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN drive the automobile industry forward.
THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY,
THE MOST IMPORTANT
ONE LEFT BY E.L. CORD
MUST BE THE SUCCESSFUL
IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE FRONT-WHEEL
DRIVE CORD L-29.
30 AUBURNTHE MAN
HIS COMPANIES
CORD
A R T I C L E B Y Walter J. Fisher,
Marketing & Communciations Manager,
HIS LEGACY Auburn Cord Duesenberg
Automobile Museum
On September 13, 1930, Cord’s wife, in 1929), and the company reported on the top floor, KFAC and KFVD. After
Helen, passed away. He was remarried a loss of $1.1 million. In 1934, the AAC the stock market crash, Cord would take
soon after in January of 1931 to Virginia rolled out an all new Auburn model, over the radio stations, selling them in
Kirk Tharpe. Up to this point, the Auburn which helped increase sales slightly, but 1962. In 1927, Cord acquired Lycoming
Automobile Company had been surviving cut into overall profits at the same time. Motor Company, who had been making
the Great Depression reasonably well, This lead to a cash deficit of $3.8 million Auburn engines since 1925. This move
however, after the death of his wife, dollars. By the summer of 1934, the gave Cord a cost advantage as he began
everything seemed to slip. In February of press had begun to report that the Cord putting Lycoming motors in all Auburn
1931, Cord resigned from the presidency Corporation had pulled its support of automobiles. To further grow automobile
of the AAC and turned the controls over AAC shares. Although the AAC managed and aircraft production and sales,
to his Vice President, Roy H. Faulkner. It to produce new Auburn and Cord models Central Manufacturing Co. would be
was as if E.L. had lost all interest in the in 1935 and 1936, by November of 1937, added to Cord Corporation, increasing
automobile industry. Sales for all three the AAC would officially be shut down. the output potential tremendously.
automobile lines fell as Cord began to
lose interest in them. He spent less time HIS COMPANIES In Indianapolis, the Duesenberg brothers
at the AAC administration building, and In the late 1920s and all throughout the originally set out to build race car engines,
for one year Cord did not even reside in 1930s, E.L. Cord continued to expand his and it was no mistake that their base of
the country. It was also around this time business interests. In 1925, he bought operations was located with easy access
that Cord took interest in the Chicago Taxi his first piece of land in California as to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
business and attempted a hostile takeover well as a 10-acre plot near Beverly Hills Duesenberg race cars managed to win
of the Aviation Corporation. This sort of where he would later build a $2 million the Indy 500 on three occasions, and their
recklessness would eventually become the mansion known as Cordhaven. Continuing reputation for building quality products
downfall of Cord’s automotive empire. his expansion westward, Cord built was well established by the time E.L.
an Auburn and Cord dealership in Los Cord took interest in them. In 1927, E.L.
By the end of 1932, AAC sales were down Angeles which housed two radio stations Cord purchased Duesenberg Automobile
to $12.9 million (compared to $37.5 million and Motors Company out of bankruptcy
2021 31and challenged the Duesenberg brothers to build the
fastest, most luxurious automobile that the world had ever
seen. The result was the now immortal Duesenberg Model
J, an automobile that boasted 265 horsepower when it
was introduced to the public – 170 more horsepower than
its rival equivalent, Cadillac, at a mere 95 horsepower.
In late 1929, Cord decided to get involved in the aviation
industry which had yet to be monopolized and dominated
by just a handful of companies. He formed Century Airlines
in 1929, which would be acquired by Aviation Corp. (AVCO)
in April of 1930. In November of 1932, E.L. Cord took
control of AVCO after a long and brutal hostile takeover
battle between the companies’ officers, making him a
major player in the Aviation market. Less than a year later
he would take majority control of New York Ship Building
Corporation as well as Checker Cab Manufacturing
Corporation. By this point, E.L Cord and the officers at the
Cord Corporation felt that their well-rounded portfolio
gave them a solid footing in the transportation industry.
The Cord Corporation would hold 60 companies in
total, nearly all of which were part of the transportation
industry. E.L. Cord truly embodied the American
entrepreneurial spirit. His instincts as a salesman
and leader didn’t simply allow him to persuade
people to buy, they enabled him to identify what
people would eventually want and create it.
HIS LEGACY
E.L. Cord leaves behind the legacy of a remarkable
entrepreneur. Throughout his career as a businessman,
he always seemed to be thinking two steps ahead of
anyone he got into business with – whether it be the
group of investors in Chicago who offered him a deal
that eventually would allow him to take ownership of
the AAC right out from under them, or his massive land
acquisitions in Beverly Hills during the Great Depression
that would allow him to make millions in the real estate
market. In the 1930s, E.L Cord began to take interest in
mining, and at one point controlled one of the largest
gold mining operations in the country. As World War II
approached, Cord began to shift his mining interests into
metals such as Manganese and Uranium, displaying once
again his uncanny ability to look directly into the future.
Of all his accomplishments in the automotive industry,
the most important one left by E.L. Cord must be the
successful implementation of the front-wheel drive
Cord L-29. Today, front-wheel drive automobiles are
recognized as being safer and more efficient than
their rear-wheel counterparts. Most automobiles
produced today are produced with front-wheel drive
configuration. This groundbreaking advancement
is due to the vision and dedication of E.L. Cord to
always strive to produce better automobiles. For
that, the automotive world owes him a debt of
gratitude. From his early days of fixing and reselling
Ford automobiles to running a large transportation
conglomerate, Cord was the true embodiment of an
entrepreneurial spirit – one who changed the automobile
and transportation landscapes immensely.
32 AUBURNTHE EVOLUTION OF
NORTHEAST INDIANA WINE
A F T E R M O R E T H A N A D E C A D E I N L AO T T O, CO U N T RY H E R I TAG E
H A S S E E N C H A N G I N G PA L AT E S A N D A B R OA D E R FA N B A S E .
ARTICLE BY Jaclyn Youhana Garver | PHOTOGR APHY BY Jeffrey Crane
Ninety percent. Of Country Heritage has 101 acres of grapes making changes based on the season, but Lutter
Winery’s wine sales when it opened it Indiana’s largest vineyard. estimates 30 or so wines are typically
11 years ago, that’s the estimated available to sample and purchase. These
amount of sweet wines sold. In this region, Lutter says, there is a desire range from sweet options, like the
to support locally grown and produced popular Heritage Red and Heritage Rose,
Today, that percentage is closer to products. Country Heritage fits squarely to drier options, like Lutter’s personal
75. The reason for the change is into that movement: From growing the favorite, the Marquette, a dry red.
simple: The region is becoming more grapes to serving the wine, the full process
comfortable with drinking vino. As takes place right in northeast Indiana. In addition to the bottle and by-the-
people become more familiar with wine, glass options, the winery is also known
their preferences tend to skew drier. As local wineries find more and more for its wine slushies and seasonal
success, potential customers are offerings, such as the specialty
“This area was really new to wineries and introduced to wine at younger ages. ciders and Fall Harvest wine, which
the industry in general,” says Jennifer debuts around the first day of fall.
Lutter, Country Heritage co-owner. “A “Younger people – 23, 24 years old – that
lot of customers didn’t know what to drink wine are more experienced with “Fall is also harvest time, when we’re
do when they went into a winery. They wine (today),” Lutter says. “When I was bottling the last of the wine from
didn’t know Indiana could grow grapes.” 23, wine wasn’t even on my radar. It is fun the previous year and starting the
to see the evolution and be a part of it.” new wine in the tank,” she says.
Country Heritage in LaOtto is one of “Fall’s a great time to make wine.
the three largest vineyards in the state, Stop for a Taste, Stay for a Glass It’s a great time for wineries.”
which makes it a large part of Indiana’s A Country Heritage tasting includes
wine grape industry. According to the six tastings for only $5. The wine list
Indiana Wine Grape Council, Hoosier
wineries sold $95 million of wine in
2018, produced 2.4 million gallons of COUNTRY HERITAGE WINERY
wine and served 630,000 wine tourists.
An Increased, Local Experience 18 5 C O U N T Y R O A D 6 8 | L A O T T O , I N D I A N A | ( 2 6 0 ) 6 37 -2 9 8 0
Most of Country Heritage’s grapes 2 2 5 S . VA N B U R E N S T. | N A S H V I L L E , I N D I A N A | ( 812 ) 9 8 8 - 8 5 0 0
are grown on site. The winery W I N E R Y@ C O U N T R Y H E R I TA G E . C O M | C O U N T R Y H E R I TA G E . C O M
CO - OWNERS: JEREMY & JENNIFER LUT TER
34 AUBURNDolly Mulford
LADY
PIONEERof th e pits
A R T I C L E B Y Jon Bill, former curator,
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile
Museum and current ACD Festival
board member
P H O T O G R A P H Y Courtesy of the
Archives Department, Auburn Cord
Duesenberg Automobile Museum
n the early days of American
automobile racing, the presence
of a woman in the pit area was
considered to be bad luck. The
men, and the machines that they
worked on, were generally oil-
soaked and filthy. Work performed on the
cars was usually done at a frantic pace.
Language used by some of the drivers
and mechanics would make a sailor blush.
Certainly this was no place for those of
the “fairer sex” who were considered
an unwelcome distraction. In fact, at
many race tracks females were banned
from any sort of participation other than
spectating. For example, women reporters
were not allowed in the pit area at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway until 1971.
Today, one does not have to look far to
find a number of women who have found
success in the world of motorsports.
Drivers such as Janet Guthrie, Lyn St.
Newlyweds. Smiling Ralph in the driver’s seat after winning his third James, Danica Patrick and Sarah Fisher
24-hour race at Brighton Beach, October 15-16, 1909. Dolly is in the have all achieved some measure of
riding mechanic’s seat to Ralph’s left. Cyrus Patschke, co-driver, is success in circle/oval track racing.
to Ralph’s right. The oil-soaked riding mechanic is to Patschke’s Shirley Muldowney and the Force sisters,
right. Ralph and Dolly were married the day before the race. (Courtney, Ashley and Brittany) have set
36 AUBURNimpressive records in NHRA Drag Racing.
Certainly the times have changed, but
who was the first to break the barrier?
One of the first, if not the first, would
have to be Dolly Mulford – not as a
driver but as a presence in the pit area
as a constant supporter not only of her
racecar pilot husband Ralph Mulford,
but of the entire racing fraternity.
Ralph and Dolly Mulford? This writer is
guessing that most readers have never
heard of either one of them. That’s
because it all happened over 100 years
ago and today is buried as a footnote in
racing history. However, in 1911, Mulford
was a household name, at least in the
world of auto racing. In that year, Ralph
came in second to Ray Harroun in the
inaugural Indianapolis 500 mile race.
It was a controversial finish in which
many thought Mulford had won. He was
the victor of the prestigious Vanderbilt
Cup Race in Savannah, Georgia, in
November. To top it off, Mulford was
declared the National Driving Champion
by the American Automobile Association
(AAA) for the year. To see how Dolly fits
into all this, we have to provide some
background about her husband Ralph Ralph in the #7 Duesenberg at the
and what amounts to a love story. Galveston, Texas, beach races in 1913.
At the age of 17, Ralph Mulford began
working for the Lozier Motor Company
as chief mechanic in their Bronx, New
York, service center. It was there that he Martin. Love bloomed and soon they he was so talented. And support him she
got his start in auto racing. During his decided to get married. Ralph promised did! Dolly travelled with him to every
driving career, Ralph competed in more her that he would give up his dangerous race. They were inseparable and shared
than 62 AAA American Championship profession after they were wed. His final the same optimistic disposition. During
Car races from 1908 through 1926, race before the wedding date was to be on practice sessions, Dolly would ride with
including ten starts at the Indianapolis September 25, 1909, a 24-hour endurance Ralph in mechanic’s garb at full racing
500. On the championship circuit, race at Brighton Beach in his hometown of speed. (Note: These were the days of
he drove many different brands of Brooklyn, New York. This was an event that riding mechanics.) She felt this experience
racecars including Lozier, Knox, Mason he won in 1907 and 1908. Rain forced the gave her a greater appreciation of what
and Duesenberg. At one time, Ralph race to be rescheduled for Oct. 15, the day her husband had to deal with during a
held the record for both the Mount after their appointed wedding date. Since race. Obviously, they were always the
Washington and Pikes Peak hill climbs. Ralph was contracted by Lozier to drive center of attention during practice.
in the event, with all the charm he could Dolly and Ralph petitioned the AAA to
Ralph was a devout Baptist – he did not muster, he persuaded his bride-to-be that allow her to race with him, but they were
smoke, drink or use foul language. He he had no choice but to drive in one last denied, however, she continued on as
refused to race on Sundays and, in fact, race. With his co-driver Cyrus Patschke, she had. Dolly was a great favorite with
was a Sunday school teacher. Ralph Mulford won the race, setting a new the other drivers and always wished
was always courteous and never critical record of 1,196 miles covered in 24-hours. each one good luck before every race.
of others. He had what seemed like a
permanent smile on his face, earning him Afterwards, Ralph opened an automotive Dolly and Ralph lived a long, happy
the nickname “Smiling Ralph,” although garage and settled down to married life, life together. They were married for
to many other drivers he was simply but his retirement from racing did not 57 years when she passed at the age of
known as “The Parson.” He was always last long. In the spring of 1910, Lozier 78. Ralph died five years later, just shy
very popular among drivers and fans. offered him a very profitable contract to of his 89th birthday. While Dolly was
drive for them. Ralph pleaded with Dolly not a “Woman Behind the Wheel,” she
Early in his career, Ralph met a lovely to return to racing again, and she agreed did set a precedent for the presence
and personable young lady named Dolly to support him in the profession in which of women in motorsports.
2021 37DOWNTOWN
AUBURN
38 AUBURNDiscover all that historic downtown
Auburn has to offer, and support
these local businesses. Shop, dine and
explore your way through Auburn
and its small town charm. Plus, see the
great services Auburn professionals
are offering our community.
2021 39TO
40 AUBURN
PARADE OF
2 ND ST CLASSICS ROUTE
RESTROOMS
3 RD ST
UNIO
N ST
MAIN S
T
TO
JACKSON
4 TH ST BEER
ST
TENT
5 TH ST TICKET
TO RIDE DOWNTOWN 1316 E 7 TH STREET
CRUISE-IN
6 TH ST
7 TH ST
INTERSTATE COURTHOUSE
TH
7 ST SQUARE
69 CRUISE-IN INFO
BOOT H
CUISINE 8 TH ST
9 TH ST 9 TH ST
FAST & HISTORIC
Ce
FABULOUS BUS TOUR
d
EVENT 10 TH ST
ar
STAGE
Cr
11 TH ST
eek
UNIO
12 TH ST AUBURN
NS
AMERICANA
T
13 TH ST (CAR CORRAL
& SWAP MEET)
14 TH ST
TH 15 TH ST15 ST
16 TH ST DeKalb
County
Fairgrounds
17 TH ST
18 TH ST
19 TH ST
CEDA
JACKSON
Museum District
R ST
ST
M A I N ST
ACD CLUB
CAR SHOW
ST
NA
NE
A U TO T I O N A L
W AY
T R U C M OT I V E
KM &
( N AT U S E U M
M)
UT
Eckhart
IL
ITY
ST Park
ek
D
re
R
AUBU
C
NE
VA N B U R E N
RN
ar
A U TO CO R D D
U
ST
ed
MOB
C
W AY
ILE M ESENBER
USEU G
M
ek
re
CAR
C
AUCTIONS
dar
e
C
TO
CR 11A (I-69 EXIT 326)
acdfestival.org
2021 41EVENTS CALENDAR
Event times and dates are subject to change. Please check the ACD Festival
website at acdfestival.org for the most up-to-date information.
stage interviews. Eligible participants must live, work or
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 TH attend school in DeKalb, Allen or Steuben counties. Go to
missindiana.org for more information and to register.
CHEERS TO THE FESTIVAL – “GOING BACK TO GREENHURST”
PRESENTED BY THE ACD FESTIVAL
TIME | 6 to 9 p.m.
LOCATION | 1710 N. Main St., Auburn
COST | $50 per person TUESDAY, AUGUST 31TH
Jumpstart the ACD Festival in style at this year's Cheers to the ANNUAL ACD FESTIVAL HOOSIER TOUR
Festival fundraiser and celebration, "Going Back to Greenhurst!" PRESENTED BY THE ACD FESTIVAL
Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while we celebrate the
location where it all began. "Country club casual” themed attire is TIME | 8 a.m.
encouraged. This is the only place where you can bid on a reserved LOCATION | Tour leaves from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg
parking space for Friday’s famous downtown Cruise-In, secure your Automobile Museum for a two-day trip throughout the region.
chance to ride in style in the Parade of Classics, become the special This year’s tour heads to Findlay, Ohio.
owner of the 2021 signed ACD Festival poster art and much more. COST | Free to spectators; pre-registration required for participants
This special live auction is sure to impress even the most highfalutin’ The Hoosier Tour welcomes fifty Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs
ACD fan! If you love the festival, this event is a must! We promise on a traveling tour to promote the ACD Festival and enjoy a variety
it will be a "hole" lot of fun! Don't "putter" around, reserve your of fun activities. The tour returns to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg
tickets today by visiting acdfestival.org, or call (260) 925-3600. For Automobile Museum on Thursday, Sept. 2, at 11:45 a.m. with
additional information, email leslie@acdfestival.org. a performance by the Dixieland Band. Contact the Festival at
information@acdfestival.org for details and registration information.
DANCING WITH THE DEKALB STARS
PRESENTED BY BEACON CREDIT UNION AND THE ACD FESTIVAL
SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 TH
TIME | 6 to 9 p.m. (6 to 7 p.m. dancing; 7 to 9 p.m. concert,
ANNUAL GARAGE CRUISE food, wine and more fun!)
PRESENTED BY THE ACD FESTIVAL AND NATIONAL AUTO & TRUCK MUSEUM LOCATION | Country Heritage Winery
COST | Free, $1 per vote directly to the nonprofit of your choosing
TIME | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LOCATION | Auburn and surrounding areas You are invited to the 3rd Annual "Dancing with the DeKalb Stars,"
COST | $10 for entire tour or $5 per stop brought to you by the ACD Festival and Beacon Credit Union! This
FREE community event invites the area’s finest movers and shakers
Ever drive by a local garage and wonder what’s inside? This is the
– in conjunction with local dance schools – to compete to raise
event for you! The 2021 Garage Cruise has been dubbed, “The Year
money for nonprofit organizations serving DeKalb County! This
of the Restoration Shop.” Take a Sunday drive to visit the garages
year’s Stars include: Jason Rohrbach (Owner of Heirloom Clock &
and shops of local automotive enthusiasts and business owners for
Fine Art) – Downtown Auburn Business Association; Ben McBride
a behind-the-scenes look at their automotive projects. You never
(Financial Advisor at Edward Jones) – DeKalb Humane Society; Leta
know what you will see – car memorabilia, street rods, muscle
Hullinger (DeKalb County Recorder) – Alliance Industries; Dawn
cars, classic autos, specialty trucks and other unique projects.
Pruitt (Beacon Credit Union Manager) Riley Children’s Foundation;
Tour the Garage Cruise locations in any order you choose. Visit
Tammy Bailey (SDI employee and DeKalb Chamber Partnership Board
the National Auto & Truck Museum – 1000 Gordon Buehrig Place,
Member) – Hearten House; Daniel Carson (Peter Franklin Jewelers) –
Auburn, for tickets or more information or call (260) 925-9100.
nonprofit TBA.
MISS AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG PAGEANT
PRESENTED BY THE ACD FESTIVAL AND PAGEANT COMMIT TEE This event is sure to keep you entertained! Big Caddy Daddy
will be taking the stage after the competition, so stick around
TIME | 4 to 6 p.m. for live music, great wine, food and even more fun!
LOCATION | Country Heritage Winery – 185 County Road 68, LaOtto
COST | Pre-registration required for participants; free for spectators
The road to Miss America begins at the ACD Festival as we
crown our very own Miss Auburn Cord Duesenberg! Join
us to watch contestants compete for scholarships through
various areas of competition, including talent and on-
2021 43You can also read
