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1936 Auburn 852 news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Supercharged Dual Ratio Speedster Designer: Gordon Buehrig |
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
 |  |  | Supercharged Dual Ratio Speedster Designer: Gordon Buehrig Chassis Num: 2914E |
| Sold for $310,000 at 2006 RM Auctions. | |||
Though these vehicles were the complete package, encompassing a daring style, durable engine, and superior performance, they failed to amass a profit. It is estimated that at the $2245 sticker price, the company lost $300.
This 1936 Auburn 852SC Boattail Speedster with chassis number 2914E was estimated to fetch between $350,000 - $450,000 at the 2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook. After some interest from buyers, the bid achieved $240,000. This was not enough to satisfy the reserve and the vehicle was not sold.
It is equipped with a 280 cubic-inch side valve eight-cylinder engine with Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger that produces 150 horsepower. It sits on a 127 inch wheelbase and is suspended in place by leaf spring and solid axle front suspension. In the rear are leaf springs and a live rear axle. Brakes are four-wheel hydraulic drums.
In 2003 it was entered in the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance where it received the coveted Peoples Choice Award. It has also been awarded an AACA National First Prize.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006
 |  |  | Supercharged Dual Ratio Speedster Designer: Gordon Buehrig Chassis Num: 852-34631E Engine Num: GH4742 |
| Sold for $423,500 at 2007 Christies. | |||
The Art Deco designed 852 was a flamboyantly designed vehicle that featured a racked windshield and tapered tail, accented with chrome trim throughout.
A.B. Jenkins drove a stock Auburn on the Bonneville Salt Flats to an American class speed record and proving the vehicles potential. Sadly, the company officially closed its doors in October of 1937.
This turquoise Speedster has been treated to restoration, though it was completed in the 1980s. The restoration still appears very fresh in modern times. At auction the car was offered without reserve and estimated to fetch between $250,000 - $450,000. That estimate proved to be accurate, as a willing buyer was found. Including the buyer's premium, the car found a new owner for the price of $423,500.
This year marked the end of the Auburn automobiles. The Auburn line for 1936 consisted of three six-cylinder models and four eight-cylinder models. This 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Dual Ratio speedster is an extraordinary example of the most significant pre-World War II automobiles built.
While little is known of its early history, the vehicle was part of the famous Blackhawk Collection in the late 1990s before being sold to a European collector. The vehicle remained in the European collection until August of 2007 when it was sold to its current owner.
Chassis number 34631E ahs been expertly and correctly restored from an excellent and original example. It is fitted with engine number GH4742 which retains its original Columbia two-speed, dual ratio rear end.
The original wire wheels have been fitted with appropriate polished wheel disc and whitewall tires.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008
 | Supercharged Dual Ratio Cabriolet Chassis Num: 35872F Engine Num: GH 5615 | |
| Sold for $67,100 at 2004 RM Auctions. Sold for $104,500 at 2008 RM Auctions. Sold for $137,500 at 2012 RM Auctions. | ||
In 2008, this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $125,000. Those estimates were proven accurate when bidding reached $104,500 including buyer's premium. The lot was sold.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008
 |  |  | Supercharged Dual Ratio Speedster Designer: Gordon Buehrig Chassis Num: 5266 |
The eye-catching styling and proven performance inspired more replicas and tributes than any other All-American automobile.
This example is a 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Dual Ratio Speedster. It has been in the care of its current owner for the past twenty-plus years, since the mid-Eighties. It has a Senior National First Prize badge dated from 1976. It is finished in bright red with beige leather upholstery. It rides on wide white wall tires on body colored steel wheels with hubcaps and trim rings. It is well equipped with a beige cloth soft top and matching side curtains packed appropriately in the tiny trunk next to the matching spare wheel and tire.
The car has been restored since new. Power is from a 279.9 cubic-inch eight-cylinder L-head inline engine with supercharged, rated at 150 horsepower, and riding on a 127-inch wheelbase. There is a three-speed gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic brakes.
In 2009, this 852 SC Dual Ratio Boattail Speedster was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Texas, presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. The lot was estimated to sell for $360,000 - $390,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had failed to sell after achieving a high bid of $300,000.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009
 |  | Supercharged Dual Ratio Phaeton Sedan |
The Auburn 852 was the company's last hurrah for the Auburn Automobile Company. As was the case with many of the independent manufacturers, their final products were often among their best. The styling, introduced in 1935, was the last Gordon Buehrig designed Auburn line to see production. Sales of the Alan Leamy designed Auburns were sluggish, and production of the 1934 line was ended mid-year. Gordon Buehrig was given the task of designing and implementing the new 1935 line with a budget of just $50,000. Using the basic design of 1934, Buehrig changed the front end and the hood removing the Auburn design hallmark of the hood molding. The result was the elegant, graceful, and smooth design that was carried through to the 1936 Auburn line.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
 |  |  | Supercharged Dual Ratio Cabriolet |
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
 |  |  | Supercharged Dual Ratio Cabriolet Chassis Num: 35757F |
| Sold for $126,500 at 2007 RM Auctions. Sold for $93,500 at 2010 RM Auctions. | |||
In 2010, this Auburn 852SC Cabriolet was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $80,000 - $120,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $93,500 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010
The success of the vehicles and the survival of the company up to this point were due mostly to Erret Lobban Cord. The Auburn Company had come into existence in 1877 producing wagons. In 1903 the direction of the company switched to creating automobiles, their first being a one-cylinder chain-driven runabout. The styling and diversity of the vehicles evolved over the years, as did the mechanical capabilities and technological innovations. The Great Depression had taken its toll on the Auburn Company and was headed to receivership when it was rescued by William Wrigley. Cord was recruited to assume the duties of general manager. This fast-talking, energetic, sales man, though less than thirty years old, was the right man for the job. By applying new paint to a parking lot of excess vehicles, Cord was able to sell over 750 cars in just a few months. This earned him the title of vice president and in 1926 he became president and primary stockholder of the Auburn Company.
Throughout the next few years, the Auburn/Cord Company would experience highs and lows. The L-29 featured front-wheel drive, a first in the industry.
Designer Gordon Buehrig and engine designer Augie Duesenberg were tasked with creating a new design for 1935. A V-12 Speedster was used as a starting point. The front-end, cowl, and bonnet were completely reworked. It was given a convertible body-style that was low and complimented its small side windows. The masculine look of the Auburn 851 was due in part to its teardrop headlamps, chrome exhaust pipes, pontoon fenders, and newly styled grille and hood.
Under the hood lurked a 279 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine. An existing six-cylinder engine had been outfitted with two additional cylinders while keeping the bore and stroke the same. The result was a 115 horsepower in natural aspiration form and 150 when outfitted with the Schwitzer-Cummings supercharger.
The vehicle was put through its paces at a 24-hour endurance run in the Bonneville Salt Flats with driver, Ab Jenkins proving the vehicle was capable of exceeding 100 miles per hour.
The car was introduced in 1935 and expectations were high but sales were low. Just over 5,000 examples were sold during its initial production year. For 1936 the name was switched to 852 and this did nothing to help sales, with just 1850 vehicles sold.
Unfortunately, in 1936 the Auburn Company went out of business. The Auburn 851's exclusivity is guaranteed by it limited production. It is a wonderful creation and hinted at what might have been if the company would have stayed in business. It was unique and distinctive.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2006
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThroughout the next few years, the Auburn/Cord Company would experience highs and lows. The L-29 featured front-wheel drive, a first in the industry.
Designer Gordon Buehrig and engine designer Augie Duesenberg were tasked with creating a new design for 1935. A V-12 Speedster was used as a starting point. The front-end, cowl, and bonnet were completely reworked. It was given a convertible body-style that was low and complimented its small side windows. The masculine look of the Auburn 851 was due in part to its teardrop headlamps, chrome exhaust pipes, pontoon fenders, and newly styled grille and hood.
Under the hood lurked a 279 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine. An existing six-cylinder engine had been outfitted with two additional cylinders while keeping the bore and stroke the same. The result was a 115 horsepower in natural aspiration form and 150 when outfitted with the Schwitzer-Cummings supercharger.
The vehicle was put through its paces at a 24-hour endurance run in the Bonneville Salt Flats with driver, Ab Jenkins proving the vehicle was capable of exceeding 100 miles per hour.
The car was introduced in 1935 and expectations were high but sales were low. Just over 5,000 examples were sold during its initial production year. For 1936 the name was switched to 852 and this did nothing to help sales, with just 1850 vehicles sold.
Unfortunately, in 1936 the Auburn Company went out of business. The Auburn 851's exclusivity is guaranteed by it limited production. It is a wonderful creation and hinted at what might have been if the company would have stayed in business. It was unique and distinctive.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2006
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 | • 2014 Sierra gains fuel economy, quietness from time in wind tunnel DETROIT – The all-new 2014 Sierra full-size pickup truck spent more development time in a wind tunnel than any GMC pickup before it, resulting in design changes that benefit both fuel efficiency and interior quietness. To achieve improved airflow, aerodynamic engineers like Diane Bloch examined every millimeter of the truck to find areas of improvement, debunking some popular myths along the way. To study...[Read more...] |
| Magnificent Series of Coachbuilt Classics To Grace RM's Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance Sale | |
 | • RM Auctions returns as the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, March 9, 2013 • Single-day sale features breathtaking roster of more than 80 investment-quality collector cars • Notable highlights include an outstanding series of coachbuilt classics headlined by a multi-million-dollar 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Walker-LaGrande Convertible Coupe and a trio of Cords from the personal collection of Jim Fasnacht • Frequently updated list of entries available online at r...[Read more...] |
| JAGUAR LAND ROVER REPORTS U.S. SALES FOR SEPTEMBER 2012 | |
| •Jaguar Land Rover North America U.S. sales increase 20 percent for September; best September since 2007 •Land Rover sales increase 33 percent for September driven by sales of Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Evoque •Jaguar begins dealership delivery of XJ 3.0 Liter V6 in October and XJ All Wheel Drive in December. (MAHWAH, NJ) - October 2, 2012 – Jaguar Land Rover North America today reported September 2012 U.S. sales: Land Rover sales for the month were 3,636 up 33 percent from ...[Read more...] | |
| Lost Mercedes - Surfaces At Bonhams | |
 | One owner, unrestored, supercharged 'S' Type Mercedes to be sold by Bonhams at Goodwood Revival this autumn One of the greatest and most important motor car finds of the last decade, the 'Lost Mercedes' is to be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale on Saturday 15th September 2012. Bonhams announced today that it has been commissioned to sell a recently discovered 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 'S' Type Sports Tourer which almost without precedent for motor cars of this type and d...[Read more...] |
| Worldwide's fifth annual The Auburn Auction to be held at the National Auto and Truck Museum | |
 | In recent years, Worldwide Auctioneers has established its annual catalogue event, The Auburn Auction, as an integral part of the Labor Day festivities at the long standing Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival Weekend. This year the fifth annual event will be at the heart of the action, with today's announcement that The Auburn Auction will take place in the historic setting of the National Auto and Truck Museum (NATMUS), housed in the former factory L29 Cord building of the legendary Auburn Automobi...[Read more...] |
 1936
Auburn
models |
| Auburn 654 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Daimler | Delage |
| Delahaye | Duesenberg |
| Hispano Suiza | Hudson |
| Isotta | Packard |
| Peerless | Pierce Arrow |
| Talbot-Lago | Voisin |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1936 |
| Graham-Paige Supercharged |
| Horch 853 Phaeton |
| Mercedes-Benz 500K |
| Oldsmobile Series L |
| Pontiac Deluxe |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1936 |
| Ford Model 68 ($505-$755) |
| Graham-Paige Supercharged ($865-$1,170) |
Average Auction Sale: $151,402 |
| Auburn: 1931-1940 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Auburn |
| 12 | 6-39 | 6-51 | 654 | 850 Series | Beauty-SIX | Model 8 | Model G |
