Morris Eckhart: Co-Founder of the Auburn Legend

Morris Eckhart, along with his brother Frank, was the bridge between the old world of carriages and the new world of automobiles. As co-founder of the Auburn Automobile Company, he helped steer the family legacy from wooden wheels to gasoline engines, eventually handing the reins to the investors who would bring in E.L. Cord.

The Brother in Arms

While automotive history often focuses on singular geniuses, the birth of Auburn was a family affair. Morris Eckhart worked side-by-side with his brother Frank in their father's carriage factory. In 1900, caught up in the excitement of the new century, the brothers built their first experimental car. It was a humble start—a single-cylinder runabout priced at $800—but it marked the irrevocable shift from the Eckhart Carriage Company to the Auburn Automobile Company.

Managing the Transition

Morris played a key role in the company's early survival. As the industry exploded with competition, the Eckhart brothers focused on quality over quantity. By 1909, they had moved operations to a larger plant and absorbed two other local carmakers, seemingly poised for major success. However, the brothers were prudent businessmen, not gamblers. They kept the company debt-free, a conservative strategy that kept them afloat but limited their expansion compared to giants like Ford.

The Wrigley Deal

The shortage of materials during World War I crippled their production capabilities. Facing a market they could no longer dominate, Morris and Frank made the strategic decision to sell. In 1919, they sold their controlling interest to a group of Chicago financiers, which famously included the chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr.. Morris stayed on briefly as president to ensure a smooth transition before retiring to California, leaving the stage set for the arrival of E.L. Cord, who would later turn their reliable family brand into an icon of speed and luxury.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Morris Eckhart and what was his impact on the Auburn Automobile Company?

<p><strong>Morris Eckhart</strong> was a key American industrialist and the co-founder of the <strong>Auburn Automobile Company</strong>. Working alongside his brother Frank, Morris was responsible for the strategic pivot from the family’s established carriage business to the burgeoning automotive industry in 1900. While his brother often focused on the broader business vision, Morris was deeply involved in the operational management and the physical transition of the <strong>Eckhart Carriage Company</strong> factory into a modern motor vehicle assembly plant in Auburn, Indiana.</p>

How did Morris Eckhart contribute to the first Auburn car designs?

<p>Morris Eckhart played a vital role in overseeing the assembly of the first <strong>Auburn high-wheelers</strong>. In 1900, he helped supervise the integration of internal combustion engines into modified carriage chassis. Under his watch, the company produced its first marketable car in 1903, a single-cylinder touring car. Morris ensured that these early vehicles maintained the high standards of <strong>structural integrity</strong> and woodwork that had made their father’s carriages famous throughout the Midwest.</p>

What was the relationship between Morris Eckhart and the town of Auburn?

<p>Morris Eckhart was a central figure in establishing Auburn, Indiana, as a legitimate automotive hub. By industrializing the family business, he provided the economic stability that allowed the town to survive the decline of the horse-drawn era. His commitment to local manufacturing laid the groundwork for what would become the <strong>Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg</strong> industrial complex, a legacy that eventually transformed Auburn into a world-renowned center for <strong>classic car heritage</strong> and tourism.</p>

Did Morris Eckhart influence the mechanical development of early Auburns?

<p>Yes, Morris was heavily involved in the transition from 1-cylinder to 2 and 4-cylinder engines during the <strong>Brass Era</strong>. He was a proponent of the <strong>horizontally opposed engine</strong> design in early models because it provided a lower center of gravity and smoother operation than many contemporary upright engines. His operational oversight ensured that Auburn remained technologically competitive with other early 20<sup>th</sup>-century American makes like Haynes and Apperson.</p>

Why did Morris and Frank Eckhart sell the company in 1919?

<p>After nearly two decades of leading the company through rapid growth and the challenges of <strong>World War I</strong> production, Morris and Frank Eckhart decided to exit the automotive industry in 1919. The complexity of post-war logistics and the need for massive capital to compete with the rising "Big Three" led them to sell the company to a Chicago-based investment group. This sale was the prerequisite for the eventually legendary era of <strong>E.L. Cord</strong>, who would take Morris’s foundation and build a global luxury empire.</p>

What was Morris Eckhart’s philosophy on vehicle durability?

<p>Morris Eckhart believed that an automobile should be as reliable as a dependable farm horse. He focused on <strong>heavy-duty suspension systems</strong> and reinforced axles, recognizing that early American roads were often little more than dirt trails. This focus on "ruggedized" engineering helped Auburn cars win numerous local reliability trials and hill climbs, a reputation that Morris leveraged to build the brand’s early success in the USA.</p>

How is Morris Eckhart’s legacy preserved in 2026?

<p>In 2026, Morris Eckhart is honored as a "Founding Father" at the <strong>Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum</strong>. While he is often overshadowed by the later fame of E.L. Cord, historians recognize Morris as the man who managed the difficult shift from hand-crafted carriages to <strong>industrialized auto production</strong>. His original factory buildings remain a testament to the industrial spirit of Indiana and the birth of the American independent automaker.</p>

What was Morris Eckhart’s contribution to the Auburn "Model G"?

<p>Morris was instrumental in the production of the <strong>Auburn Model G</strong> (1910–1912), which featured a powerful four-cylinder engine and advanced features like a <strong>three-speed selective transmission</strong>. Under his operational leadership, Auburn moved away from the "motor buggy" look toward the modern "torpedo" and "touring" styles, successfully capturing the upper-middle-class market in the United States before the company was sold.</p>

Did Morris Eckhart hold any patents related to the auto industry?

<p>While many patents were filed under the corporate name, Morris was involved in several <strong>utility patents</strong> related to body mounting and carriage-to-chassis integration. His expertise in woodworking and structural design was critical during an era where car bodies were still largely made of wood-reinforced steel. This specialized knowledge was a key competitive advantage for the <strong>Eckhart family</strong> during the first decade of the 1900s.</p>

How do early "Eckhart-era" Auburns perform in 2026 auctions?

<p>Early Auburns produced under Morris Eckhart’s management are exceptionally rare and highly sought after by <strong>Brass Era</strong> collectors. In 2026, these vehicles—often featuring ornate brass radiators and lamps—are viewed as museum-quality artifacts. They are prized not just for their aesthetic beauty, but for the <strong>mechanical honesty</strong> and ruggedness that Morris instilled in the brand during its formative years in Indiana.</p>