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.
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