Auburn 851 Speedster Supercharged

Auburn 851 Speedster Supercharged

The 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster Supercharged is the car most closely associated with the Auburn name and represents the model year when the Speedster design was first introduced. This entry covers the same fundamental vehicle as the 851/852 entry, focusing specifically on the first-year 851 model.

The 1935 model year was particularly significant because it represented the debut of Buehrig's revolutionary Speedster body and the Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger system. The 851 designation was Auburn's model year coding system, with the first digit representing the number of cylinders (8) and the last two digits indicating the model year (1935). The Lycoming straight-eight engine with supercharger produced 150 horsepower, which was impressive for a production car in 1935.

The 851 Speedster was offered at an extraordinarily attractive price of $2,245 -- a remarkable bargain considering the car's performance, beauty, and the guaranteed 100+ mph speed certification. E.L. Cord's strategy was to use the glamorous Speedster to drive traffic into Auburn showrooms, where buyers might also consider the more profitable sedan and phaeton models. The strategy was brilliant from a marketing perspective but ultimately insufficient to save the company from the Depression's economic devastation.

The 851 Speedster's boattail body was constructed with a steel body over a wooden frame, a traditional coachbuilding technique that produced beautiful results but was susceptible to the ravages of time. The external exhaust pipes, emerging from the hood sides and running along the fenders, were both functional and decorative, creating a visual drama that complemented the car's performance capabilities.

The 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster holds a privileged position in the collector car world. As the first year of production for the Speedster body, the 851 is considered by many to be the most authentic and desirable model year. The car's combination of breathtaking design, genuine performance, accessible pricing (when new), and the romantic narrative of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg saga creates a collectible that engages both the heart and the intellect.

Today, the 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster Supercharged is among the most sought-after pre-war American cars. Well-authenticated, properly restored examples command prices that reflect the car's significance as one of the most beautiful automobiles ever designed. The Auburn's influence on automotive design is evident to this day -- its flowing lines and dramatic proportions continue to inspire designers and captivate enthusiasts.