1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster
- Engine
- Supercharged straight-eight, 150 bhp (115 bhp normally aspirated), Schwitzer-Cummins blower
- Colour
- Cigarette Cream with maroon leather interior
The Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster (serial 851 33216 E) is a celebrated example of Gordon Buehrig's landmark 1935–1936 boattail design, powered by a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharged straight-eight producing 150 horsepower with a Columbia dual-ratio rear axle. Documented from 1945, the car passed through several notable ACD enthusiast hands before receiving a meticulous concours-quality restoration in its believed-original Cigarette Cream and maroon livery. Certified Category 1 by the ACD Club, it subsequently won the Roy Faulkner Trophy for Best Auburn twice and placed second in class at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,270,000
- 1966 → 1990Private saleWalter Seeleypartial documentation
Recognized restorer and marque enthusiast who spent roughly two decades accumulating components and expertise in preparation for a full restoration.
- 1990 → 2012Private saleRobert Howiepartial documentation
Illinois owner who retained the car for approximately 22 years before selling it onward.
- 2012 →Private saleWilliam Knightpartial documentation
Based in Brodhead, Wisconsin; completed a thorough, concours-grade restoration at his private facility, finishing in Cigarette Cream with maroon leather, believed to reflect the original factory livery. Car received ACD Club Category 1 Certification following completion.
- 2015 →Private saleCollector in the American Westpartial documentation
Added the speedster to a noted collection; entered the car in top-tier concours events where it earned multiple significant honors.
- Date unknownH.L. Klingensmithpartial documentation
Pennsylvania resident; earliest known custodian, documented via ACD Club Certification from 1945 licensing records.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEllsworth W. Huberpartial documentation
East Coast ACD Club member, active in the early club community; acquired after the Klingensmith period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWilliam Shearmanpartial documentation
New York State owner; a contemporary of Huber in the ACD enthusiast community.
Competition
- 20182018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
Finished behind a unique Cadillac V-16 bodied by Hartmann, the only car ranked ahead of it in the class.
- —ACD Club National ReunionACD Club National Reunion — Roy Faulkner TrophyBest Auburn (Roy Faulkner Trophy) — awarded on two separate occasions
The car received this top Auburn recognition twice during its time in the current collection, though specific years are not stated.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationWilliam Knight's personal shop
A thorough, concours-standard restoration was completed at William Knight's private workshop, finished in what is believed to be the car's factory-original Cigarette Cream paint with maroon leather upholstery; the original chassis frame and engine were retained throughout.
Work built upon decades of parts-gathering that began under Walter Seeley's ownership from 1966 onward.
- —Inspection
Following the restoration's completion, the car was formally evaluated and awarded Category 1 Certification by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club.
Certification occurred after the restoration and prior to the 2015 sale to the current owner.
Are you the owner of this car?
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