1935 Auburn 851 Custom Speedster (un-supercharged, naturally aspirated)
- Engine
- Naturally aspirated straight-eight, no supercharger, with dual-ratio rear axle
- Colour
- 'Duck Egg Blue'
A rare factory-built un-supercharged Auburn 851/852 Boattail Speedster, this car was assembled in the original Auburn, Indiana plant rather than the Connersville facility, apparently for exhibition purposes prior to the availability of supercharger equipment. Its Custom trim specification, original serial and engine number tags, and unmodified block stamping make it uniquely documented. The car passed through several notable American collections before receiving a body-on-frame restoration finished in Duck Egg Blue with red leather interior.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$700,000 – US$900,000
- —Auction saleEstimate US$700,000 – US$750,000
- —Auction saleSold US$544,000
- —Auction saleEstimate US$750,000 – US$950,000
- → 2019Acquisition unknownRichard Burdickpartial documentation
Displayed the car for roughly ten years at his Dick's Classic Garage Museum in San Marcos, Texas.
- 2019 →Private saleTexas-based prominent enthusiastpartial documentation
Commissioned a full body-on-frame restoration shortly after purchase; car was refinished in Duck Egg Blue with red leather interior.
- Date unknownMark Vantatenbowpartial documentation
Michigan-based owner during whose tenure the car was listed in the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Newsletter roster of surviving 851/852 speedsters, published in 1996.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRobert M. Passpartial documentation
Acquired the car following Vantatenbow's ownership and subsequently sold it onward.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJohn M. O'Quinnpartial documentation
Described as a prolific and now-deceased collector; the car formed part of his substantial collection.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Full body-on-frame restoration carried out to a high standard; bodywork finished in Duck Egg Blue, an authentic but uncommon 1935 Auburn colour, with a red leather interior.
Work was commissioned by the most recent owner after acquisition in 2019; described as immaculate and fresh at the time of cataloguing.
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