Serial No. 35263M

Engine No. GH 5009

In its final two years of production, renowned Indiana automaker Auburn offered its eight-cylinder model with an optional supercharger, inspired by that used on supercharged Duesenbergs, for an output of 150 horsepower. All supercharged Auburns were equipped with the Dual Ratio rear axle, which provided both low and high ratios, selectable from the steering wheel, for easy highway performance. Even today supercharged Auburns are wonderful road automobiles, with good power and long legs for comfortable touring and CARavan participation. Thanks to Gordon Buehrig's magnificent styling, an update of Alan Leamy's 1934 design, they were also very beautiful machines, and remain so to today's eyes.

The Auburn offered here was born a two-passenger Coupe, one of the rarest body styles on the 1935 851 chassis. While in previous ownership the car received a body-off restoration in Cigarette Cream with bold red moldings, a very eye-catching color scheme inspired by the then-current restoration of the famous Clark Gable Duesenberg Model JN, and perfectly in tradition of late Auburn production when one could get a car painted any color they wished for a small additional fee. Complementing the paintwork is a red leather interior with matching wool carpeting, as well as a black canvas convertible top bound in red leather. As part of this work the Auburn was converted to a Cabriolet, not an intrusive job as the Coupe body is identical to the Cabriolet with the exception of an easily removable fixed top structure and a trunk rather than a rumble seat. Further, the present engine appears to have been converted from a non-supercharged block, then restamped with the correct engine number, as well as what is believed to be a California Secretary of State assigned number. A single rear-mounted spare was fitted, as are Auburn script taillights, folding windshield, and a clock.

In July 2003 the Auburn was acquired for the Gateway Automobile Museum from a seller in Pennsylvania, and has remained on exhibition as part of the collection for twenty years. It remains in excellent overall condition throughout, with all of its finishes still in fine order and largely as-completed, and at the time of restoration had recorded 42,767 miles.

A lovely Auburn suitable for any number of Auburn Cord Duesenberg (ACD) Club, AACA, and CCCA events, this car offers a striking presentation and supercharged performance, and would be a treat for the new owner to enjoy.

Collection Guarantee Disclosure

Please note that as part of a larger collection to be offered at live and online auctions, the Consignor of the Gateway Collection has been guaranteed a minimum price for certain cars, including this Lot, by Broad Arrow. Depending on the final Hammer Price obtained for those Lots, Broad Arrow may benefit financially.