Vehicle Description
Auburn is one of those storied American brands that make car show judges stand up and take notice. In fact, this 1928 Auburn 8-88 Sedan is your instant ticket to premium cars shows, where they'll park you next to its corporate brothers from Cord and Duesenberg. So this sedan already seems like a tantalizing proposition, even before you read how exceptional the condition is.
The two tone coordinating colors of tan and brown give this one an instant regal appearance. The Auburn is unique, standing out with its horseshoe-shaped grille and stand-alone headlights, along with the split, crank out windshield, that gives it a distinctive look. Finish quality is exemplary, with doors that close with the most wonderfully solid sound, and the folding hood opens with ease and latches without a fight. Paint quality was most certainly not this good in 1928, but for a car designed to be noticeably premium, this one fits the bill perfectly. Chrome was used sparingly to show that the confidence of good design only needs small highlights on the grille, headlight shells, and door handles.
The brown cloth interior has a great pattern that seems to represent the Roaring Twenties perfectly on the pleated seats. The whole interior is beautifully finished with clean stitching, and correct windlace around the doors. The handles and knobs look like jewelry, and the panels have gorgeous wood garnish moldings. Lovers of real wood should pay special attention to the dash, as it is a work of art. Overall, it's hard to find a piece that has been replaced (or needs replacing) in the nearly 90 years since this luxury car first left the factory. Luxury is often measured in rear seat space, and there's about enough legroom back there to make modern limousines jealous. It's handsomely finished, with delicate ashtray covers, ornate assist straps, and a robe rail behind the front seat.
The Lycoming-built, 247 cubic-inch straight-8 engine makes a rather robust 88 horsepower. But the real key to this motor was the torque, which is why it was also the basis for the legendary Auburn Boat Tail Speedster that were some of the fastest cars of the day. It's the original motor with the car, and this powerplant is still connected to its original three-speed manual transmission. It will require a little double clutching (if you like 1920s cars, you're likely already a pro). This total package of high torque, and wide ratio gearbox, is happy to pull the big sedan around at barely more than a walking speed in high gear. Four-wheel mechanical brakes by Lockheed are quite effective for the period, and the single exhaust has a powerful-sounding eight-cylinder hum. The chassis is nicely detailed, and those glossy wooden spoke wheels are fitted with flashy Firestone tall white tires.
This Auburn is just about ready to leave our showroom and head straight to concours events. The shockingly affordable price for this rare luxury just made this even more of an exquisite find. Call now!!!
