For Sale: 1977 Auburn Phaeton in St. Louis, Missouri

When Glenn Pray set out to revive the Auburn name, he wasn't interested in simply reproducing an automobile from the past; his vision was to create modern interpretations of the legendary marque that combined evocative Auburn styling with contemporary American mechanicals and everyday drivability. The result was Pray's "Second Generation" Auburns, built by his Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Company in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, beginning with the 866 Speedster in the late 1960s. His hand-built cars incorporated fiberglass bodies inspired by the great Auburn designs while utilizing modern Ford chassis and drivetrains, along with conveniences such as power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, and automatic transmissions.

The ultimate expression of this philosophy was the Auburn 874 Dual Cowl Phaeton, a dramatic four-passenger automobile inspired by the 1937 Auburn 874 Phaeton. Pray retained the Speedster's imposing front-end treatment and sweeping pontoon fenders, then developed an entirely new, elongated dual-cowl body with individual windshields for the front and rear passengers. The result was a striking automobile that captured the spirit of the Classic Era while offering the comfort and performance of a modern American automobile. Contemporary accounts described the 874 not as a replica, but as a completely new automobile using the original Auburn's design language and trappings, with the new version shortened from the original's 140-inch wheelbase and powered by a 460-cubic-inch Ford V8.

The 874 was introduced in the mid-1970s and would ultimately become one of the rarest of Glenn Pray's Second Generation Auburns. Production records indicate that just 17 examples were constructed in total-one prototype followed by only 16 production cars-with the 874 representing the final Auburn model built by Pray. The first 874 was shown at the 1974 Auburn Reunion, where its dramatic styling and exceptional build quality immediately attracted attention.

Presented here is an exceptionally significant example: 1977 Auburn 874 VIN A874GP001, believed to have been built specifically for Glenn Pray himself and the first of the 16 production 874 Phaetons. As the earliest production example of an already exceedingly limited automobile, its significance is further enhanced by its connection to the man responsible for bringing the Auburn name back to life. For enthusiasts of Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles, the opportunity to acquire an example so closely associated with Pray himself is particularly compelling.

Power is supplied by a 460-cubic-inch Ford V8, paired with a Ford C6 automatic transmission and 9-inch Ford rear axle, providing the effortless torque and proven mechanical reliability that were central to Pray's philosophy of modernizing classic Auburn design. The drivetrain is complemented by a thoughtfully selected collection of period equipment and accessories that give this Phaeton both a luxurious and distinctly 1970s character.

Finished in an imposing Dark Red with matching Dark Red upholstery, this 874 presents the long, low proportions and dramatic dual-cowl configuration that distinguish the model. Its extensive equipment includes air conditioning, Stewart Warner instrumentation, Dietz 8-92 fog lamps, dual spotlight mirrors, front wind wings, tilt steering column, machined-turned dash face, and an AM/FM/8-track player. The exterior is further dressed with wide whitewall radial tires, full Auburn 8 wheel disc covers, a front grille guard, chrome rear fender stone guards, and chrome side entry plates.

Inside, the matching Dark Red upholstery complements the richly detailed dashboard, with the machined-turned instrument panel providing an especially appropriate nod to Auburn's prewar sporting character. The dual-cowl configuration gives rear passengers their own individual windshield, matching dash instrumentation, and seating area, creating the distinctive formal yet sporting character that makes the 874 so memorable.

Glenn Pray's Second Generation Auburns occupy a fascinating place in American automotive history. After acquiring the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Company in 1960, Pray became one of the foremost authorities on the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg marques while building an extensive inventory of original parts and developing a worldwide following among enthusiasts. His ambition eventually went beyond preservation: he wanted to put the Auburn name back into production with new automobiles that carried forward the character of the originals while incorporating modern technology. The 866 Speedster became the most numerous of his Auburn creations, while the 874 Phaeton represented his more exclusive and ambitious final Auburn design.

This 1977 Auburn 874 Dual Cowl Phaeton therefore represents a remarkable convergence of rarity, design, and provenance. With its status as the first production 874, believed to have been built for Glenn Pray personally, its striking Dark Red presentation, 460 Ford V8, C6 automatic transmission, extensive period equipment, and place among only 16 production examples, it stands apart even within the extraordinarily limited world of Glenn Pray-built Auburns.

For the collector who appreciates the legacy of Auburn and the vision of the man who resurrected its name, this is an especially noteworthy automobile. It is not merely a modern interpretation of an Auburn, it is a tangible part of Glenn Pray's own story and the opening chapter of the 874 Phaeton's production history.