In Season 2 Episode 2 of The Journey, Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and restoration partner Travis LaVine spotlight a rare 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster.
One of the most authentically finished of its kind
The JBS Collection’s classic car documentary series, The Journey, continues with Season 2 Episode 2, featuring a rare 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster. The episode is another riveting deep dive into classic automotive excellence with owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and restoration expert Travis LaVine, whose family has operated LaVine Restorations, Inc. for over 50 years.
In the episode, Smith Jr. and LaVine, an emerging leader in the restoration industry, discuss the background and history of the award-winning Speedster, which is certified as Category One by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club, and considered to be one of the most authentically preserved 1932 Speedsters in existence. Category One certification confirms that the model features an original 8-100A chassis, engine, transmission, axles, and body, along with all other major components.
A rare and coveted award winner
One of only about 75 Speedster models built by Auburn in 1932, the vehicle—which retains the vast majority of its original woodwork—received a Second in Class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1997, and previously was named Best Auburn and Best in Show at the renowned ACD Club’s 1995 reunion. To this day, the 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster remains one of the most coveted pre-war American classics.
“This Auburn is a true masterpiece of classic car design and automotive history, and none of those accolades came easily,” said Smith Jr., whose collection is ranked No. 82 in The Classic Car Trust’s Top 100 Worldwide Collections, listed in The Key publication. “In 1924, Auburn was struggling mightily—with production down to six cars a day—and it seemed like the writing was on the wall. But E.L. Cord entered the picture and took over, and he brought in the likes of Alan Leamy and Gordon Buehrig to design new Auburn automobiles. Fresh eyes are sometimes the answer, and our Boattail Speedster is a lasting testament to the daring designs of the 1920s, the elegance of the early 1930s, and to E.L. Cord’s confidence and automotive vision.”
Designed to set the standard
Auburn manufactured approximately 887 Speedster models between 1928 and 1936 across three series. The first two series were designed by Leamy, and the Auburn 851 Speedster of 1935 was styled by Buehrig. This particular 1932 Auburn 8-100A Boattail Speedster, often referred to as a “Baby Duesenberg”—with its sweeping fenders, dramatic tapering tail, and exquisite lines—represents one of the most enduring and captivating designs of the Classic Era.
“This unique Auburn is special on so many levels—from its ACD certification to its history, and engineering—but it’s important not to forget the significance of its boattail design,” said Smith Jr. “Companies including Packard and Hudson had already produced vehicles in that style, but E.L. Cord wanted Auburn to set the standard for boattail design. Quality is ultimately defined over time, and the Auburn Speedster continues to be one of the most coveted vehicles among collectors worldwide. We’re proud to share ours with the world in The Journey.”
The popular automotive series, produced by The JBS Collection in association with LaVine Restorations, Inc. and Eyedart Creative Studio, launched in October of 2024.
The Season 2 premiere of The Journey, released in October 2025, featured The JBS Collection’s 1938 Packard 1607 Twelve Convertible Coupe—one of the very last of its make and model ever produced.