While Auburn confidently entered the widening Great Depression years with a strong product line and balance sheet to match, sales dropped precipitously by 1932-33, in line with industry trends. Styling for 1934 was not well received, hampering sales. However, rather than back down, management, staff and workers doubled down on style, performance and solid engineering for 1935 in a valiant quest for profitability, exemplified by the unforgettable Gordon Buehrig-styled 851 and 852 Boattail Speedsters of 1935-36. Featuring sporting, yet graceful, styling that remains a design benchmark today, Auburn’s Speedsters for 1935-36 were styled by Buehrig and powered by the 280 CI “GG” straight-8 supplied by Lycoming, one of Auburn Owner E.L. Cord’s many associated companies. The stunning new Auburns were originally intended to include the supercharged “GH” engine specification developed by Augie Duesenberg and Pearl Watson, plus bold and beautifully chromed external exhaust pipes. However, given the time constraints imposed by the crash development program for the car and its supercharged powerplant, a single Auburn 851 Boattail Speedster—the example offered here—is known to have been produced without a supercharger, purportedly sent out early for display at the Boston Automobile Show before the supercharged engines were ready. Bearing Chassis No. 2988 E and powered by Engine No. 3777, this fascinating 1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster was built in Auburn, Indiana, rather than at the Cord production facility in Connersville, Indiana, where most Auburn Speedsters were produced. Since Speedster engine numbers began at 3735, the early 3777 engine serial number of this Speedster certainly supports its auto-show heritage. Retaining its original chassis and body, this fascinating 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster benefits handsomely from an extensive, body-off restoration completed by Wayne Davis in 2021, including a refinish in correct 1935 Duck Egg Blue paint, complemented by a red leather-trimmed cockpit. Ample power is delivered by the aforementioned Lycoming 280 CI straight-8 engine, paired with a 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission. A Columbia 2-speed rear axle, standard equipment for the Auburn Speedster, heightens performance. Amber fog lamps, gleaming chrome, the Goddess hood and side mascots, and a golf club door heighten the sporting character of this Speedster. Chrome wheels and hubcaps, plus 1930s-style blackwall tires provide road contact. Previously part of the noted Richard L Burdick Collection, this rare and compelling CCCA Full Classic automobile is an unqualified Art Deco-inspired design landmark that never fails to capture admiration.
