Vehicle Description
When the Auburn Automobile Company folded in the mid-1930s, Mr.
Dallas Winslow stepped up to rescue what was left of the
once-illustrious firm. He acquired the rights to the company, along
with tooling, property, spare parts, and even a handful of original
employees, keeping the legendary Auburn name alive to serve its
legions of dedicated fans. In 1960, the Auburn Automobile Company
got its third lease on life when Winslow passed the torch to fellow
marque champion, Mr. Glenn Pray. Pray moved the operation to Broken
Arrow, Oklahoma, where he earned a well-deserved reputation as the
go-to Guru of all things Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg, and owners flocked
to his warehouse in search of parts and knowledge. But Glenn Pray
had dreams for the Auburn Automobile Company beyond just being a
restorer and parts supplier. He envisioned a full-scale revival of
the marque, complete with coachbuilt motorcars that continued the
Auburn tradition, blending classic styling with modern American V8
drivetrains and chassis components. That dream became a reality in
1967 with the introduction of the "Second Generation" Auburn 866.
The 866 featured a high-quality fiberglass body created from molds
taken from a genuine boattail speedster and detailed with trim
directly from Auburn's stash of original parts. The chassis and
drivetrain were sourced from Ford, and the V8 engine capacity
varied depending on availability and customer wishes. The 866 was
meticulously crafted to a high standard, and the price reflected
it. In the late 70s, Pray added a second model to the line, the 874
Phaeton. The 874 utilized the front end of the 866 Speedster but
was stretched from the cowl back to accommodate four doors and a
dramatically low-slung dual-cowl phaeton body of Pray's design.
Just 18 of these glamorous models were produced, costing upwards of
$60,000 -nearly the same as a new Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. Like
the second-generation 866 Speedster, the 874 Phaeton is a
full-fledged collector car in its own right today, enjoying the
recognition of marque enthusiasts, including the
Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club. The tenth of eighteen examples
produced, our featured 1979 Auburn 874 Phaeton is well preserved in
original, unrestored condition. It makes a dramatic statement with
its low-slung stance, beautiful dark red livery over tan
upholstery, wide-whitewall tires, and polished disc wheel covers.
As with all top-line 874s, this example is well-equipped with air
conditioning, automatic gearbox, power steering, and a 460
cubic-inch big-block Ford V8. For their substantial cost of entry,
buyers got a car tailored to their exact specification and
handcrafted to a high standard of quality. That this car has
survived more than 40 years so well preserved is as much a
testament to Glenn Pray's build quality as it is the care it has
received through the years. Overall, the paintwork is in good
condition, displaying a slight patina and a few minor imperfections
consistent with its age. The polished and chromed exterior trim is
in similarly good condition all around, and the body is nicely
accessorized with a single side-mount spare, dual search lamps, fog
lights, goddess mascot, and chrome headlights. It is a true
dual-cowl phaeton, with steeply-raked windscreens front and rear
and a full-folding, disappearing canvas top, which is in good
working order. Front and rear passengers enjoy tan upholstery with
matching carpets, all in preserved original condition. Some slight
fading is noted, which does little to detract from the otherwise
tidy presentation. Switches and controls are in good order, and a
later-style aftermarket radio is fitted to the passenger side of
the dash. The driver faces a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel and
an array of Stewart-Warner instruments set into an engine-turned
alloy panel. Rear passengers get redundant tach and speedometer to
keep a watchful eye should the driver get too generous with their
right foot. Pray utilized a variety of Ford engines throughout
production of the second-generation Auburns. In this case, the
robust 7.5-liter/460 cubic-inch big block. Used across the Ford
lineup in Thunderbirds, Lincolns, light trucks, and more, the 460
is a versatile engine known for its bulletproof reliability. The
abundant low-end torque makes it the ideal choice for effortless
high-speed cruising in a big, comfortable luxury car like this
Auburn. Under-hood presentation is orderly and reflective of a
well-maintained, unrestored car, showing signs of use and age while
remaining respectably tidy. This rare and fascinating
second-generation Auburn combines the striking styling of the 1930s
with reliable, easily serviced underpinnings. It is a remarkably
well-preserved example, ready for enthusiastic enjoyment in ACD
club events or out on the open road. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6871-1979-auburn-874-dual-cowl-phaeton-speedster/
