Auburn a long-estabished wagon manufacturer who turned his attention to cars in the early 20th century. But it was not doing very well, because of unexciting products. This scenario changed due to the appointment of E.L.Cord as the general manager in 1924.

Cord reasoned that the company needed a new exciting product that will generate public interest in the brand. But Auburn had little capital available to create that model. It was the stylist Gordon Buehrig who came to the rescue. His Speedster incorporated some existing, though reworked panels into a fashionable new body design. The chassis was largely carried over from the previous models but the engine that sat in the front of the car was new. 

It was a supercharged straight-eight built by Lycoming and was said to develop 150bhp. Racing driver Ab Jenkins proved the car's potential by setting a US stock car record with a 12 hour run at over 100 mph (161 kmph), resulting in the Speedsters bearing a plaque with Jenkins'  signature.

The Speedster did raise Auburn's profile but most buyers opted for a more practical and cheaper models. However that was not of much help to the company that closed down in 1936.

There were about 600 Speedsters that were built and today they are highly priced.