1935 Auburn Model 653

The Auburn Motor Company was started in 1903 by Frank and Morris Eckhart of Auburn, Indiana. It was prosperous in the pre-War era, but after World War I, sales began to dwindle. Errett Lobban Cord was brought in to resurrect the company, which he was able to do and kept it from entering bankruptcy during the 1920s. E.L. Cord had the unsold inventory of 1924 re-painted in stylish paint schemes and extra nickel plating. The following year he focused on styling while much of the market had its attention on engineering. This bet paid off for Cord, as sales increased 15% over 1924.

The 1934 Auburn line-up was restyled by Al Leamy, and it was not well received, prompting the assembly lines to be halted by mid-1934 so the face-lifted 1935 model could be rushed into production. Designer Gordon Buehrig was allotted a $50,000 budget to improve the styling, and the changes he implemented were a new grille, an enlarged hood, and semi-pontoon front fenders. Period Auburn sales literature described the new designs as being 'Exclusive-Distinctive-Individual.'

The new feature for the top-of-the-line Auburns in 1935 was a supercharger. The 1935 Auburn models were renowned for their improved ride and handling, thanks to a reduction of unsprung weight, lower seat placement, and a lowered center of gravity.

The Model 653 was a stylish, durable, and reasonably affordable vehicle. It was offered in three trim levels including a Standard, Custom, and a Dual Ratio Salon. Power was from a six-cylinder engine that was capable of producing 85 horsepower and sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. The elegant and attractive bodies rested on a wheelbase that measured 120 inches. The suspension was comprised of a solid front axle and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Braking was handled by four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. These cars are excellent examples of a brilliant marque that was one of the prominent builders of cars during the pre-WWII era.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010