As one of the few prewar American sportcars, the Auburn Speedster was a powerful, affordable and stylish car. It featured a characteristic boat tail body and a supercharged engine that that set American trends: large proportions and straight line performance.

In 1932, a stock supercharged speedster driven by Ab Jenkins at the Bonneville Salt Flats and was clocked at 100 mph through the flying mile. Auburn were particularly pleased with these results and plaqued subsequent cars with a memo on the dashboard.

Produced from 1929 to 1937, the Speedster benefited from E.L. Cord’s empire which included many talented designers from Cord, Duesenbreg and Lycoming. As different engines became available, the Speester was manufactured in three distinct phases. The last of these was the 851/852 Speedster which benefited from styling upgrades and a reworked Inline-8 engine.

Up until 1935, many of Auburn’s models were powered by Lycoming’s V12 engine, which could be sold at a very affordable rate. Unfortunately, as this engine became unavailable, Auburn were left to rethink their straight-6, and Duesenberg helped them retool to include two more cylinders.

While changing engines, Harold Ames hired Gordon Buehrig of ex-Duesenberg fame to touch up the Speedster design. Buehrig reduced the ornamentation on the car, and added a more flowing touch, especially with his recessed radiator.

Of the four decades of Auburn production, the companies’ history can be highlighted by the 851 and 852 Speedsters. These were the last few cars made by Auburn before the factory shut down in October of 1937 along with the rest of the Cord Empire.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
price $	$ $2 245 USD
engine	Water Cooled, Inline-8
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Schweitzer-Cummins Supercharger
valvetrain	2 Valves per Cyl
displacement	4589 cc / 280.0 in³
bore	77.78 mm / 3.06 in
stroke	120.6 mm / 4.75 in
compression	6.5:1
power	111.9 kw / 150.1 bhp @ 4000 rpm
specific output	32.71 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	bhp per tonne
torque	311.8 nm / 230.0 ft lbs @ 2750 rpm
body / frame	Steel Body on Steel Cross-Braced Chassis
driven wheels	RWD
front tires	6.5×15
rear tires	6.5×15
front brakes	Lockheed Drums w/Hydraulic Assist
f brake size	mm / in
rear brakes	Lockheed Drums w/Hydraulic Assist
r brake size	mm / in
steering	Worm & Peg
f suspension	Non-Independant w/ Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Dampers
r suspension	Live Axle w/ Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Dampers
curb weight	1699 kg / 3746 lbs
wheelbase	3226 mm / 127.0 in
front track	1488 mm / 58.6 in
rear track	1575 mm / 62.0 in
length	4938 mm / 194.4 in
width	1816 mm / 71.5 in
height	1473 mm / 58.0 in
transmission	3-Speed Manual
gear ratios	2.86:1, 1.68:1, 1.00:1, :1
final drive	3.1:1
top speed	~167.4 kph / 104.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~15.0 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~19.5 seconds

Auction Sales History

1935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster 33222E – sold for $770,000 Owned by radio personality Charles “Chuck” Arlington. One of four Auburn Speedsters restored to identical specification for Arlington. Treated to a RM Auto Restoration in 2008.
Auction Source: RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015