Vehicle Description
Serial No. 33094E
Chassis No. 2094
Engine No. GH 43309
Supercharger No. 1159
Body No. U47-194
Errett Lobban Cord transformed Auburn from a struggling automaker
into a symbol of style and performance during the 1920s and 1930s.
Joining the brand in 1924, he revitalized their lineup with vibrant
paint and implemented an aggressive marketing campaign. Under his
leadership, sales doubled in both 1925 and 1926, leading to his
appointment as president. Auburn soon attracted Hollywood stars,
athletes, and executives, carving a niche within Cord's holdings by
delivering high-performance cars at more accessible prices than
Duesenberg. The first Auburn Speedster, launched in 1928, proved
competitive in racing.
In 1931, Auburn introduced new styling influenced by Alex Leamy's
Cord L-29-featuring a split radiator shell, angled windscreen, and
the iconic "boattail." The Speedster was offered with Eight- and
Twelve-cylinder engines across three trim levels in 1933 and 1934.
The following year saw the updated styling of Gordon Buehrig. This
updated the design saw a new raked radiator shell, straight hood,
external exhausts, and sweeping pontoon fenders. Powered by a
Lycoming eight-cylinder engine with a Schwitzer-Cummins
supercharger, it reached a top speed of 101.5 mph. Each 851
Speedster carried Ab Jenkins' signature on the dashboard,
certifying its 100 mph+ performance.
Ninety years after it first rolled off the assembly line, the
Auburn 851 Speedster remains one of the most significant and
beautiful American performance cars of the Classic Era. With only
around 150 produced between 1935 and 1936, the model is highly
prized by collectors-with original examples like this even more
so.
Out of 150 Boattails produced, chassis number 33094 has the unique
distinction of being one of less than 10 examples built for export
to England in right-hand-drive configuration. A badge that remains
affixed to the car today records it was delivered to Clifford
Taylor Automobiles Ltd. of London's Berkeley Square. Period photos
show the car at the square and during the 1935 Olympia Motor Show.
As the ideal show car for the British market, the car was complete
with the rarely seen heater and radio options.
The car remained in England until 1947, when it was brought back to
the United States by a serviceman returning from duty. It was then
purchased by a Mr. Formicelli of Trumbull, Connecticut, in 1949.
Under Formicelli's long-term ownership, the car was lightly
restyled with distinct drop-down doors, reshaped fenders with
Frenched headlights on the front, and the bumpers removed. After a
remarkable 45 years of ownership, Formicelli sold the Speedster to
expert Auburn restorer John Ehresman in Connecticut. The car was
later acquired by Bruce Earlin of Milford, Pennsylvania, who left
the car in Ehresman's care for a complete restoration.
Over the next three years, the Speedster received a comprehensive
restoration, bringing the car to show ready condition. Stripping
the car to a bare frame, such attention to detail was taken during
the restoration that no small detail was overlooked. Part of the
wood frame for the bodywork was replaced as part of the
restoration, but the detail work included restamping it with the
correct and original numbers, just like Auburn did. Once the wood
frame for the body was expertly repaired, the bodywork was
refinished in period-correct Cigarette Shade while the interior was
finished with Maroon leather. The steel disc wheels with chrome
beauty rings and hubcaps were finished to match Maroon. Additional
restoration details include the Stabilite headlamps, dash-mounted
Auburn-Crosley radio, clock, and the 120 mph speedometer.
Once complete, the car was shown at the 1997 Auburn Cord Duesenberg
(ACD) Spring meet, not only capturing a Best in Class award but
fought stiff competition to earn a highly prized Best in Show! The
Speedster was next shown at the Classic Car Club of America meet in
the summer, earning 100 points at the 1997 CCCA Grand Classic. In
search of more honors, the car was shown with the Antique
Automobile Club of America at the 1997 national meet in
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where it earned the Lycoming Award and
another fiercely contested Best in Show. In September 1998, the car
was shown again with the ACD, where it earned a Category 1
certified status.
The car was later sold by Earlin, with it later joining the noted
Clem and Mary Lange Collection. Still in show condition, the car
received another Best in Class award at the 2012 Louisville
Concours d'Elegance. Since then, the car has been maintained to a
high standard. In 2021, the Speedster entered the collection of
John and Jill Shibles as a true standout of the collection for its
restoration quality and the rarity of its original right-hand-drive
configuration. As presented today, this Speedster surely ranks
among the most compelling examples of these celebrated motorcars
currently available.
