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A showroom built in the roaring twenties is still standing in northeast Indiana, and the cars inside look ready for a Sunday drive. Collectors of handmade luxury automobiles would pay close attention to this one.
The building is bigger than it looks from the street, with three levels of rare machines, original offices, and a few surprises overhead. Here is a walk through what makes this small-town stop so memorable, and how to plan a day around it.
Where Indiana’s Luxury Car Story Lives On
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum sits at 1600 Wayne St, Auburn, IN 46706, in the northeast corner of Indiana.
It is a museum and gift shop dedicated to classic cars, with Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg models at the center of the story.
Google Maps lists it as a museum with a 4.9 star score across more than 2,200 reviews, which is a strong showing for a small-town attraction.
The building itself is part of the draw. Guests describe it as bigger on the inside than the front suggests, and the Art Deco design is mentioned again and again.
Plenty of Hoosiers drive past the Auburn exit without realizing how much is packed inside. That is the kind of local secret worth sharing with a friend and a full tank of gas.
The sections ahead cover the history, the floors, the cars, the extras next door, and the practical details for planning a trip.
A Showroom That Never Left the Roaring Twenties
Few museums can say the cars once rolled out of the very building that now holds them.
Here, the original manufacturing facility and showroom house the collection, which gives the place an authenticity that new construction cannot copy.
The first floor is the old showroom, and it still feels grand. Auburn and Cord cars line the floor, sleek and bold.
Some guests compare the mood to a film set from the 1920s and 1930s, elegant and full of charm. The comparison fits a space where the architecture does as much talking as the bumpers.
Written details accompany each car, so there is no guessing about what you are looking at. A little reading goes a long way here, and the stories add color to the chrome.
Plan on lingering. The showroom floor rewards slow strolling, and the pace is part of the fun.
Art Deco Architecture Worth the Price of Admission
Plenty of folks come for the cars and leave talking about the building.
The museum is described as a beautiful representation of Art Deco design, and the phrase shows up so often that it has become one of its most mentioned features.
The structure feels historic in the best way, with details that frame the vehicles as if they were part of one big display.
Even guests who do not consider themselves car enthusiasts say the mix of history, design and vintage style carries them along.
Look up and around, not just at the paint jobs. The setting was built for an automaker with big ambitions, and it still shows.
Photographers will find plenty to frame, from sweeping showroom views to quiet corners that capture a bygone business day. Bring a charged phone and some patience for the best shots.
The Cars That Made Auburn Famous
Handmade luxury sits at the heart of this collection, and the three names on the door say it all.
Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg models make up most of what is on display, with the bulk of the inventory dating from the 1930s.
Guests admire the craftsmanship and design, and some note that these completely handmade cars have been compared with the great British luxury marques, yet feel more stylish and creative in places.
Fans of the Cord are especially vocal. Its bold shape is a favorite for many who make the trip.
One honest note from a guest: the collection leans heavily on this one era. Those who love the history will be thrilled, while casual browsers may notice plenty of similar models.
That focus is exactly what makes the museum a pilgrimage for Auburn Cord Duesenberg devotees. Expect depth rather than a mix of everything.
Gallery of Excellence on the Third Floor
Take the stairs or elevator up, and the museum tosses in a plot twist.
The third floor holds the Gallery of Excellence, which showcases rare and unusual cars built right here in Indiana.
Some of them look unlike anything most guests have ever seen, which makes the climb well worth it.
The gallery widens the story beyond one automaker and shows how much creative engineering came out of the state.
Hoosiers will appreciate the local pride on display. It is one thing to read that Indiana was a car-building hub, and another to stand next to the proof.
Visitors also mention that the museum has three levels in total, so the gallery is one chapter in a bigger book. Leave time for it rather than saving it for the last ten minutes.
Old Offices Where the Action Happened
Behind the polished fenders, there is a business story waiting.
Guests enjoy seeing the old offices where the company’s daily decisions took place, and they say it adds to the feeling of stepping back in time.
Walking through them gives the museum a human scale. Cars did not appear by magic, and the desks and rooms hint at the people who steered the company.
Written explanations throughout the building help connect the dots between the cars and the industry around them.
Several guests say the museum shows how impactful these automobiles were, and how they helped shape the cars on the road today.
It is a good reminder that great design takes planning, paperwork and a whole lot of ambition. History fans will want to take their time in these rooms.
Planes Above the Pavement
Cars take the spotlight, yet a few aircraft sneak into the picture.
Several guests mention a couple of planes among the displays, and the airplane collection shows up in the museum’s popular topics.
The extra wings add variety for anyone traveling with a mixed group of vehicle fans. Kids and adults alike tend to stop and look.
One guest called the mix of cars and planes a great course in American history, and the combination does add context to the era.
The museum also rotates cars and displays in and out, so a repeat trip may bring a different lineup. One regular says they visit several times a year for that reason.
Treat the planes as a bonus rather than the main event, and you will not be disappointed. Hours of browsing are easy to fill.
The Auto and Truck Museum Next Door
A second stop sits right behind the main building, and many guests pair the two.
The adjoining auto and truck museum has 1950s, 1960s and 1970s cars and trucks, along with a good deal of Indiana vehicle history and older autos.
Tickets for both museums can be bought together, and guests find the combined cost surprisingly low.
One guest felt the space was not air conditioned and some cars had little information on them, so it helps to know what to expect on a hot day. Another noted that the Futurliner display is set up like a traveling stage.
Others loved it and said it is worth checking out. Different tastes lead to different takeaways, which is typical for a museum with this much variety.
Dress for the weather, and treat it as a second chapter rather than a copy of the first.
Cars With Context and Captions
Reading is half the fun here.
Every car is accompanied by a written explanation of its details and history, according to guests who found the information thorough.
Those details turn a walk through the building into a lesson in craftsmanship and design from the past.
Volunteers and staff also earn praise for being knowledgeable and friendly. Their presence adds a personal layer for anyone with questions.
Guests say it pays to read the history alongside viewing the cars, since the stories behind the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg company are part of the appeal.
A few hours is the common suggestion for a thorough visit, and some say they could spend all day. Bring comfortable shoes and a curious mind.
A Family Outing That Fits All Ages
One family brought a ten-year-old and a three-week-old baby, and both found their groove.
The museum was quiet enough for the infant and big enough for the older child to wander and find activities.
That flexibility makes it a smart pick for a day trip with different ages in the car.
Guests also call it a wonderful place for cold weather, since the exhibits are indoors across three levels.
Even those who do not call themselves car lovers say the mix of design, history and vintage style keeps them engaged.
Couples, friends and solo browsers fit in just as easily, so the guest list is wide open. Bring the group and let everyone chase their own favorite car.
The Gift Shop and Where the Money Goes
Souvenir hunters have a good option waiting by the exit.
The museum has a gift shop, and guests call it cool and excellent.
One guest notes that proceeds go to maintenance and upkeep, as the museum operates as a nonprofit institution.
That means a small purchase helps keep the showroom floor polished for the next group of car fans.
It is a pleasant way to bring the day home, whether as a keepsake or a gift for another car enthusiast. Inventory can change, so check what is available when you arrive.
Save a little time at the end of your tour, since browsing the shop can stretch longer than planned.
Why Locals Keep Coming Back
Repeat trips are common, and the reason is simple.
The museum rotates cars and displays in and out, so a regular can see something fresh every time.
One longtime fan says they go several times a year, and the building alone is worth admiring.
That kind of loyalty fits a place that mixes pride in local history with an easygoing, no-frills welcome.
Guests mention friendly staff, a welcoming host, and a facility that teaches about a legendary Indiana automaker.
For Hoosiers, it feels like a hometown treasure that more neighbors should know about. Bring a friend who has never been and watch their face at the showroom door.
Hours, Admission and Getting There
Planning is straightforward. The museum is listed as open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, though hours may vary, so check before you go.
The address is 1600 Wayne St in Auburn, Indiana, and the museum website is automobilemuseum.org.
Guests call admission fair and affordable, and one mentions that people with EBT assistance can bring their card for free entry. Confirm current prices and policies directly with the museum.
Plan on a few hours for the main museum, and more if you add the adjoining auto and truck museum.
Because the building is indoors, it works year-round. A winter day trip is just as workable as a summer one.
Bring a camera and comfortable shoes, and allow a little extra time for the gift shop.
A Verdict Worth Driving For
A 4.9 star score across thousands of reviews says a lot, and the details back it up.
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum offers handmade classics, an Art Deco showroom, a rare-car gallery, and a friendly welcome.
The collection leans heavily on the 1930s, so those who love that era will get the most from it. Casual fans still find the building and history worth the time.
It is a fine reason to point the car toward Auburn for a weekend day trip.
Pair it with the neighboring auto and truck museum, and the afternoon fills itself. The cars did their part back in the day, and they still do it now.
