From the moment E. L. Cord arrived at Auburn, the company's fortunes improved markedly. In 1925 Cord arranged for Lycoming straight-eight engines to be installed in the existing six-cylinder chassis and instigated a re-styling program that saw the new-for-'25 Auburns featuring two-tone colour schemes and a novel belt-line that swept up over the bonnet. Sales doubled for three consecutive years and in 1926 Cord became president of the Auburn Automobile Company. The eight-cylinder Auburn line reached its zenith in 1935 with the introduction of the 851. One of the truly great American automobiles of the 1930's, the 851 owed its sensational appearance to designer Gordon Buehrig, who – though he was only 30 – had already worked for Dietrich, Packard and General Motors in Detroit, and Stutz and Duesenberg in Indianapolis before joining Auburn in 1934. Buehrig transformed the appearance of the range (always a style setter since the Cord takeover) adopting a new radiator grille that gave the car real presence and visual strength. Performance from the straight-eight 279.9 cubic inch Lycoming engine ranged from 115bhp in standard form to 150bhp with supercharger, and acceleration was aided by its dual ratio rear axle. The Phaeton was one of five body styles offered on the 851 Standard chassis in 1935. Selling for $1,368, it offered the styling hallmarks of the flamboyant Speedster version in a good-looking body capable of carrying five or six adults in comfort.
This Auburn is indeed a rare sight of American pre-war classic machinery in Europe. Equipped with its powerful 8 cylinder Lycoming engine that has been rebuilt only 3 years ago, it comes to us from an expert collector and is described to be in good to excellent condition throughout.
During the current ownership he has successfully participated in many long-distance rallies in Central Europe, e.g. 1,000 miles of Czechoslovakia (2019 overall winner).
This car comes for sale together with other two Auburn 851 body types completing the trio of a Phaeton, Cabriolet and Speedster!
Production date | 28.02.1935 |
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Body Type | Phaeton |
Engine | 4.588 ccm, 117 PS, I8 |
transmission | Manual |
Steering | Left Hand Drive |
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Layout | Rear Wheel Drive |
Color - exterior | Cream |
Color - interior | Light Brown |
Miles/Kilometers shown | 23.842 mls |
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Chassis / VIN | 325542 |
Location - Country | Czech Rep. |
Location - City | Hradec Kralove |
4-door Phaeton body type; RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 3-speed gearbox; gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 4588 cm3, advertised power: 87 kW / 115 hp / 117 PS (brake); characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4938 mm, width: 1816 mm, wheelbase: 3226 mm; reference weights: estimated curb weight: 1723 kg; top speed: 165 km/h (103 mph)
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