The Auburn Company was certainly one of America’s best. Although long gone, it is fondly remembered for its great cars and interesting history. Born from the roots of the Eckhart Carriage Company the first Auburn appeared in 1904. The company maintained its position in the early days of the motorcar, but by 1924 had fallen on hard times. It was then that the flamboyant Errett Loban Cord entered the picture and took Auburn to the very pinnacle of its Golden Years. Indeed the Cord Empire consisting of Auburn, Cord, and the mighty Duesenberg were some of the best to ever grace the road. Indeed, the cars of Errett Cord came to be recognized as the very best in American automotive design.
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Offered here is a car that shocked the world in 1935, for no other motorcar was faster or better and although Auburn was in its final years it was going out in a blaze of glory. The gorgeous Model 851 was sleek, it was fast, and it was beautiful. The striking Auburn 851 Supercharged Phaeton presented here wears a high quality older restoration that has been meticulously preserved and looks now just as it did when it left Auburn’s Indiana factory back in 1935. This Auburn also has a rare factory hardtop of which only a handful were built. Finished in tan with red accents its long and sweeping fenders are elegant and tasteful. The menacing exhaust pipes running from the hood let the world know that this Auburn is powered by a Lycoming straight-eight that was guaranteed by Auburn to reach 100 mph. This convertible sedan rides on a 127-inch wheelbase and carries an attractive set of wide white wall tires mounted on Auburn factory rims in body color keyed red. Its long and sweeping length is nicely accented by center hinged doors that open and close with factory precision. Although certainly an elegant car, the 851 Convertible Sedan sold new for just $1,750, not a bad deal considering Cadillac’s comparable car sold for $2,755.
Very few cars are able to exude the style, color, and beauty like an Auburn 851. Representing a time when bravura and elegance went hand-in-hand with brute power and speed, this Auburn is a car that can be enjoyed and driven. Its elegant styling and power to spare are a tribute to the great cars of Errett Loban Cord.
