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The devastating effects of the Great Depression resulted in the Auburn marque reducing its model lineup for 1931 to just the 8-98, which also gained a new design courtesy of in-house stylist Alan Leamy. A respected designer within the automotive marketplace, Leamy had been hired away from Marmon three years prior and immediately tasked with designing the new front-drive car then under development (the Cord L-29).
The sleek and sporty styling of the Auburn 8-98 complemented its improved mechanical sophistication, thanks in part to its 268 cubic-inch straight-eight Lycoming engine, three-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel drum brakes. Beneath the graceful coachwork was the first use of X-bracing on a rear-wheel drive car, along with Bijur lubrication, Lovejoy hydraulic shocks, semi-elliptical suspension all-around, and an optional L.G.S. Freewheeling unit. With prices that range from $945 to 1395, Fortune magazine described it as 'the biggest package in the world for the price.'
The Auburn 8-98 was offered in a variety of body styles across two trim lines - a standard model and a more luxurious 8-98A Custom, which added $200 to the price.
This 1931 Auburn 8-98A Custom Cabriolet is finished in a polychrome red livery beneath a black cloth convertible top. Purchased by its current owner in 1988, the car was subsequently submitted to a painstaking and notably accurate body-off restoration to concours-presentation standards, which was completed in late 1995. The work included several modern upgrades to make it more suitable for touring, including the addition of custom-ground 'hot' camshafts, an overdrive conversion, an electric fan, and twin Stromberg carburetors.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024
The sleek and sporty styling of the Auburn 8-98 complemented its improved mechanical sophistication, thanks in part to its 268 cubic-inch straight-eight Lycoming engine, three-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel drum brakes. Beneath the graceful coachwork was the first use of X-bracing on a rear-wheel drive car, along with Bijur lubrication, Lovejoy hydraulic shocks, semi-elliptical suspension all-around, and an optional L.G.S. Freewheeling unit. With prices that range from $945 to 1395, Fortune magazine described it as 'the biggest package in the world for the price.'
The Auburn 8-98 was offered in a variety of body styles across two trim lines - a standard model and a more luxurious 8-98A Custom, which added $200 to the price.
This 1931 Auburn 8-98A Custom Cabriolet is finished in a polychrome red livery beneath a black cloth convertible top. Purchased by its current owner in 1988, the car was subsequently submitted to a painstaking and notably accurate body-off restoration to concours-presentation standards, which was completed in late 1995. The work included several modern upgrades to make it more suitable for touring, including the addition of custom-ground 'hot' camshafts, an overdrive conversion, an electric fan, and twin Stromberg carburetors.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
Sale Price :
USD $154,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $90,000-USD $120,000
Sale Price :
USD $86,900
1931 Auburn Model 8-98A Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Auburn Model 8-98A
(Data based on Model Year 1931 sales)
1931 AUBURN 8-98A CABRIOLET Chassis#: 898A10173F Sold for USD$154,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Custom Cabriolet Chassis#: 8-98A 10173 F Sold for USD$86,900 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Boattail Speedster Sold for USD$271,600 2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | |
1931 Auburn Fooserati Custom Sold for USD$39,600 2022 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1931 AUBURN 8-98A CABRIOLET Chassis#: 898A13046F Sold for USD$112,000 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Sedan Chassis#: 8-98 35388-A Sold for USD$19,800 2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1931 Auburn Eight Custom Speedster Chassis#: 8-98A 16951 E Sold for USD$190,400 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1931 Auburn Eight Phaeton Sedan Chassis#: 898A 15822 H Sold for USD$117,000 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Convertible Sold for USD$85,000 2016 Mecum - Indianapolis | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Phaeton Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 10761 H Sold for USD$92,000 2013 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Cabriolet Sold for USD$108,000 2012 Branson Auction - Spring 2012 | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Cabriolet Sold for USD$75,000 2011 Leake Car Auctions - Tulsa - 39th Annual Leake Auto Auction | |
1931 Auburn Boattail Speedster Custom Chassis#: 2885349A Sold for USD$137,500 2004 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Boattail Speedster Sold for USD$72,600 2003 JEM Museum Collection | |
1931 Auburn 8-98A Cabriolet Sold for USD$60,000 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island |
Auburn Model 8-98As That Failed To Sell At Auction
1931 Auburn Model 8-98A's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1931 AUBURN 8-98A CABRIOLET | 898A11832F | 2011 Worldwide Auctions The Auburn Auction | $110,000 | $130,000 |
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1931 Auburn Model 8-98A
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