1935 Auburn Model 851 Supercharged Dual Ratio Phaeton

In 1934, designer Gordon Buehrig was given $50,000 to move from Duesenberg's Indianapolis facility to Auburn, Indiana, to fix the Auburn Automobile Company's styling problems. It was a partly sum for an experienced and respected designer to be paid, so Buehrig worked with the existing body, adding a bold grille and long hood. The cars were rushed into production in late-June of 1934. Engineering of the entire Auburn line was trusted to Augie Duesenberg and all models rode on a one-inch-longer wheelbase. The V-12 engine was dropped from the Auburn lineup, and the base 280 cubic-inch eight was up 15 horsepower to 115; 150 in newly supercharged guise.

All eight-cylinder cars were badged 851, while the SC denoted the optional supercharger. Despite a 20-percent rise in sales to 6,136 units, it was not enough for the company to stave off the rising tide of red ink. The Auburn lineup remained virtually unchanged for 1936, the company's final year.

This vehicle was owned by a Rhode Island Judge for a long period of time. The current owner had it restored in late 2012. In the depths of the Great Depression, Auburn offered more automobile for the money than any other American manufacturer. Gordon Buehrig redesigned the Auburn's exterior. It featured a long hood and a body-color radiator surround that emphasized the body's length and the 127-inch wheelbase of this 8-cylinder 851 model. Cord Corporation controlled Lycoming and it from there that Auburn sourced the Lycoming GG-series 281, 280 cubic-inch, supercharged, straight eight with 150 horsepower. Auburn offered six standard bodies. Of them, this convertible sedan with removable center posts, was the top of the line, costing $1,368 at the factory without options.