If I were to show you a rock or a piece of wood and tell you, “This is 90 years old,” you’d understandably nod politely to feign interest, then change the subject because those things are visually dull. But our Pick of the Day is still a stunner after nearly a century. You can find this 1936 Auburn 852 Super-Charged Speedster listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
The Auburn Speedster model dates back to 1928, when it was introduced along with the Duesenberg Model J. Six years later, Auburn introduced an all-new line of cars with “All-Steel” construction. Given the lukewarm reception to its styling, Executive Vice-President Harold Ames brought in former Duesenberg stylist (and future Cord 810/812 designer) Gordon Buehrig to visually overhaul Auburn’s cars for 1935. Another major change took place in 1935: Speedsters were fitted with a supercharger, courtesy of Duesenberg co-founder August Duesenberg.
For 1936, Auburn offered six “super-charged” models, including a Two-door Brougham, Convertible Cabriolet and, perhaps the most iconic of them all, the Speedster. What exactly did Auburn super-charge? A 280ci Lycoming straight-eight that was good for 150 horsepower, which it channeled through a three-speed manual to the rear axle. A 1936 Auburn brochure stated, “On the Salt Desert of Utah a stock Super-Charged Auburn Speedster drove for five miles at over 104 miles an hour, and then raced on to record 69 other speed records.” A plaque on this Speedster’s dash indicates that it was clocked at 100.6 mph before it left Auburn’s Indiana factory, These days, you can hit 100 in a mild-mannered commuter car, but back in the 1930s the century mark was an accomplishment.
No matter which angle you choose, this Speedster looks as if it shouldn’t exist, that it’s a one-off concept car that somehow made it into production with its flamboyant curves, exposed polished stainless steel exhaust pipes, and dramatic “boattail” rear end.
According to the selling dealer, this car comes from a remarkable 62 years of one-family ownership. To keep this Art Deco beauty looking its best, the family had it restored in its original shade of red, which pairs well with the tan leather interior. There’s no word on when that restoration took place, but I think it’s safe to guess that it was before 2011 when this Speedster won the People’s Choice Award at the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance.
If this 1936 Auburn 852 Super-Charged Speedster could stun people at that prestigious event, imagine the reaction it would get at a smaller, local show. I’ll save you the trouble and tell you: It would draw more of a crowd than a new Lamborghini parked right next to it. To buy this award-winning showstopper, you should contact the selling dealer to find out how much money it’ll take.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
