Vehicle Description
1974 Auburn 852 Speedster
Between 1928 and 1936, 887 Auburns were produced in Indiana. The
851 model of 1935 was designed by Gordon Buehrig who also designed
the Stutz Black Hawk, the Cord 810, and the Lincoln Mark II. Real
Auburns rarely come up for sale and when they do, buyers should be
prepared to spend six or seven figures.
For consignment, a 1974 Auburn 852 Boattail Speedster built to the
specs of a 1936 model, produced by Elegant Motors, a notable
creator of second generation Auburns. Auburns, Cords, and
Duesenbergs are what every neoclassic hopes to be, think Clenet and
Excalibur, so why not replicate one of the most elegant designs to
ever grace America's roads. This car is titled as a 1974 Ford.
Exterior
Get your attention Red covers the car just in case the extravagant
design doesn't stop you in your tracks. The nose leans back in a
posture that reminds us of the Keep on Truckin' cartoon of the
60's, while wide fenders spread like wings over the front wheels
and the contoured front bumper mirrors the overall shape. Drama
endures with the corrugated faux exhaust pipes twisting their way
from the engine cover, for show in the case of the replica and
functional on the real car and in both cases, an iconic design. The
profile reveals the scope of the car with its massive hood,
sweeping fenders, short cab, and long tail. And that tail is the
stuff of legends, an epic design that looks every bit of its name,
the boattail. Tail lights are placed to the side of the hull and a
long, flat bumper stretches the expanse of its width. The metalwork
from the grille to the bumpers, the gravel guards, headlight
housing and other brightwork is in fine condition and that includes
the reproduction hood ornament and emblems. The paint looks great
as well, with some imperfections noted as scratches, cracking, and
some flex cracking on the fiberglass body. 15-inch chrome wire
wheels wear white wall tires look great and the tires are stamped
with an early 2021 date code.
Interior
Open the suicide style doors and discover saddle colored vinyl door
panels with art deco style stitched patterns and a map pocket along
with a simple door actuator handle. The saddle bench seat is
stitched pattern and smooth borders delineated with piping and
accompanied by a pair of lap belts. More deco design on the
steering wheel, rimmed in dark wood and leading to a machine turned
dash panel housing Classic Instruments brass rimmed gauges. On the
passenger side, a more modern AM/FM radio, a 100 mph plaque, and an
analog clock. The floor mounted polished shifter is situated next
to the polished hand brake lever, each surrounded by brown loop
carpet in good condition. Vents are routed to a metal faced airbox
mounted below the dash and the footwell walls are brown fiberglass.
A bolt on trunk comes with the car for extra storage.
Drivetrain
Under the hood we find a clean engine, topped by a polished dual
plenum over a 4-barrel Holley carburetor and Holley intake. All of
this over the 351ci Windsor V8 that's tied to a C4 3-speed
automatic transmission sending power back to the Ford 9" rear.
Power brakes are on the car with discs up front and drums out
back.
Undercarriage
Very clean and dry underneath with minimal surface rust and the
only liquid evident is a small amount on a crossmember above the
rear U-joint. The dual exhaust hit a pair of stock style mufflers
before leaving the car in traditional fashion, out the back and
through square tips. An independent coil sprung front end defines
the suspension there while a 3-link, coil springs and panhard bar
occupy the back.
Drive-Ability
So tempted to drive through McDonald's with this car, but for now,
we'll just spin it around the loop as the 351 provides plenty of
power under the fiberglass bodied classic. The brakes work well and
we note the gauges, radio, lights, turn signals are all
functional.
Want to feel like a movie star in your town? Like to watch jaws
drop as you enter the car show? Would you like to join an exclusive
group of enthusiasts who fancy the Auburn brand, real or recreated?
Then this amazing speedster is for you! It's a special vehicle that
in many ways is faithful to the original and has a striking
presence. Have your people call our people and we'll get you set up
in this high end look alike.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
