Frank Eckhart: The Founder of Auburn

Frank Eckhart was the visionary son who transformed a carriage business into an automotive legend. Alongside his brother Morris, he founded the Auburn Automobile Company in 1900. Though forced to sell due to the pressures of World War I, his initial experiments laid the groundwork for one of America's most celebrated car brands.

From Carriages to Cars

Frank Eckhart was born into the wheel business. His father, Charles Eckhart, had built the Eckhart Carriage Company into a success in Auburn, Indiana. But while Charles was content with horses, Frank and his brother Morris were fascinated by the "horseless carriage." Legend has it that Frank tried to buy a Winton automobile but was so dissatisfied with the price and quality that he decided he could build a better one himself.

The First Auburn

In 1900, using his father's factory and funds, Frank built an experimental car—a single-cylinder runabout with tiller steering. By 1903, the Auburn Automobile Company was officially incorporated. The early years were a struggle of experimentation; they sold only 50 cars in the first year. However, Frank persisted, moving from single-cylinder buggies to four and eventually six-cylinder touring cars that were known for their durability.

The End of an Era

Frank's tenure was cut short by global events. The materials shortages caused by World War I strangled the small company's production. Facing financial ruin, Frank and Morris made the difficult decision to sell their company in 1919 to a group of Chicago investors (which included chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr.). Frank retired to Los Angeles, leaving behind a company that, under the later guidance of E.L. Cord, would become an icon of the Art Deco era.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Frank Eckhart and what was his role in the Auburn Automobile Company?

<p><strong>Frank Eckhart</strong> was a pioneering American industrialist and the co-founder of the <strong>Auburn Automobile Company</strong>. As the eldest son of Charles Eckhart (founder of the Eckhart Carriage Company), Frank, along with his brother Morris, spearheaded the family’s transition from horse-drawn carriages to motorized transport in 1900. Frank served as a key executive, providing the business acumen and manufacturing oversight that transformed a small-town carriage shop into a recognized name in the early 20<sup>th</sup> century American automotive market.</p>

How did Frank Eckhart transition the family business from carriages to cars?

<p>In the late 1890s, Frank Eckhart recognized that the "horseless carriage" was the future of transportation. Utilizing his father’s established <strong>Eckhart Carriage Company</strong> facilities in Auburn, Indiana, Frank and Morris began experimenting with high-wheeled motor buggies. By 1903, they officially incorporated the <strong>Auburn Automobile Company</strong>. Frank’s strategy was to leverage their expert woodworkers and chassis builders to create high-quality, durable vehicles that could handle the rugged, unpaved roads of the Midwest.</p>

What were the characteristics of the first Auburn cars designed by Frank Eckhart?

<p>The earliest vehicles produced under Frank Eckhart’s leadership were simple, reliable, and functional. The <strong>1904 Auburn Model A</strong> featured a single-cylinder engine mid-mounted under the floor, chain drive, and a two-speed planetary transmission. Frank insisted on a "no-frills" engineering approach, focusing on mechanical honesty and affordability, which helped the brand gain a loyal following among rural American professionals before the luxury era of the 1920s.</p>

Why is Frank Eckhart significant to the industrial history of Auburn, Indiana?

<p>Frank Eckhart is credited with saving the economic future of Auburn, Indiana. By pivoting the town’s largest employer to automotive manufacturing, he attracted a cluster of parts suppliers and engineering talent to the region. This industrial ecosystem eventually drew in <strong>Errett Lobban Cord</strong> in 1924, leading to the creation of the legendary <strong>Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg</strong> empire. Without Frank’s initial risk-taking, the "City of Classics" might have remained a simple agricultural village.</p>

What was the relationship between Frank Eckhart and the "Brass Era" of motoring?

<p>During the <strong>Brass Era</strong> (roughly 1896–1915), Frank Eckhart moved the brand toward larger, more sophisticated multi-cylinder cars. He oversaw the introduction of the <strong>Auburn Six</strong>, which featured brass lamps, radiators, and ornate detailing. Frank’s focus during this period was on <em>vertical integration</em>, ensuring that many components were manufactured in-house to maintain the "Auburn Standard" of quality that distinguished their cars from cheaper competitors like the Ford Model T.</p>

Did Frank Eckhart serve in any civic roles outside the auto industry?

<p>Like his father, Frank Eckhart was deeply involved in the growth of his community. He was a major benefactor to the <strong>Eckhart Public Library</strong> and local YMCA projects. His civic leadership in the USA was a classic example of the "pioneer spirit," where industrial success was directly tied to the development of social and educational infrastructure for the workforce and their families.</p>

What led Frank Eckhart to sell the Auburn Automobile Company in 1919?

<p>Following World War I, the automotive industry faced a sharp post-war recession and increased competition from large conglomerates. Frank and Morris Eckhart, having managed the company for nearly two decades, decided to retire from the demanding auto business. They sold the firm to a group of Chicago-based investors (including the Wrigley family). This sale was the crucial turning point that eventually allowed <strong>E.L. Cord</strong> to take the helm and elevate the brand to global prestige.</p>

How did Frank Eckhart influence early automotive marketing in the USA?

<p>Frank Eckhart was an early advocate for <strong>endurance testing</strong> as a marketing tool. He encouraged the entry of Auburn cars in local hill climbs and reliability runs across the United States. He believed that the best advertisement was a car that could "climb the steepest hills and navigate the deepest mud." This reputation for <strong>mechanical integrity</strong> remained a hallmark of the Auburn brand long after the Eckhart family had exited the business.</p>

Is Frank Eckhart recognized in any automotive museums today?

<p>Yes, Frank Eckhart’s legacy is a primary focus at the <strong>Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum</strong> (a National Historic Landmark). The museum is housed in the original 1930s Art Deco administration building, but its collection and archives trace the company’s roots directly back to the <strong>Eckhart Carriage Company</strong> and the first motor cars Frank and Morris built by hand at the turn of the century.</p>

How is Frank Eckhart’s legacy viewed in the 2026 collector market?

<p>In 2026, "Eckhart-era" Auburns are highly prized by collectors for their <strong>historical significance</strong> and rarity. While the later 851 Speedsters receive more attention for their styling, Frank’s early four-cylinder and six-cylinder models are considered the "foundation stones" of the American independent car industry. He is remembered as the man who had the foresight to put an engine in a buggy, changing the course of 20<sup>th</sup>-century transportation.</p>