1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Dual Ratio Speedster

Auburn's last series of Speedsters were the famous 851/852 models, sold in 1935 and 1936, respectively. Approximately 600 of both were produced with an original price of $2,245. Designer Gordon Buehrig had taken over from Alan Leamy and made provocative styling changes such as the curvaceous bodywork and straight hood-line leading back to the sharply vee'd windshield. The graceful tapering rear end gave the Speedster its nickname, the 'boattail.'

The supercharged Speedsters are instantly recognizable due to the shiny, flexible external exhaust pipes they shared with the supercharged version of the Duesenberg Model J, which indicate the presence of a Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger. This boosts the horsepower of the Auburn straight-eight to 150 from the normally aspirated 115.

Each new Speedster was delivered with a plaque affixed to the dashboard certifying that the car had been driven at over 100 miles per hour. The plaques were signed by David Abbott 'Ab' Jenkins, Auburn's test driver and a record-setting race driver.

This example boasts its original frame and body, complete down to the firewall tag applied by the factory in 1936. It was owned for years by enthusiast David Tunick. Its next owner had it expertly restored - but unfortunately finished in different colors. It has since been repainted in its original black, and has received many awards and honors.