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Details
PROPERTY FROM THE PATRICK S. RYAN COLLECTION
The ex-John Ehresman/Noel Thompson
1935 AUBURN MODEL 851 'BOATTAIL' SPEEDSTER
Chassis No. 32304 E
Cigarette cream with brown leather interior
Engine: straight eight Lycoming, side valve, Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger; 279.9ci.,150bhp at 3,600rpm; Gearbox: three-speed and reverse with two speed rear axle; Suspension: beam front axle, semi-elliptic rear springs; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drum. Left hand drive.
Frank and Morris Eckhart of Auburn, Indiana started the Auburn Motor Company in 1903. As their business grew, they acquired more dealerships to stay ahead of the competition, but by the mid-twenties size had caught up with them and they were in need of new leadership. In 1925 E.L. Cord became general manager and set out to save the company. Under Cord the new Auburn became a very different company, emphasizing style when others in the industry concentrated on engineering. Body styles were changed every few years to keep sales up.
By 1931 Auburn was able to sell a very appealing package for far less than the competition. Their fully equipped V12 cars could be purchased for well under $2,000 and the V8s were cheaper still. By 1934 the depression had caught up and sales were falling. As a remedy Auburn returned to the six cylinder model and curtailed production of the V12. In addition, the 1935 Model 851 'Boattail' Speedster with the straight eight motor was an effort to boost sales with a car that offered both style and performance with a younger, sportier image. It is considered by many auto enthusiasts to be among the most beautiful cars of the classic era. With a tapered Speedster tail designed by Gordon Miller Buehrig, the model was available with a new optional supercharger for the eight cylinder engine that boosted output to an unprecedented 150 brake horsepower and powered the car from 0-60mph in a remarkable 15 seconds. Each of the 146 supercharged Speedsters produced carried a dash plaque indicating the speed at which the car had been tested. To promote their speed A.P.B. Jenkins drove a stock Auburn on the Bonneville Salt Flats, breaking the American class speed record. Auburn won top prizes at the Concours d'Elegance held at the universal Exposition in Brussels thus promoting their elegant styling. While the Speedster created huge demand, it transpired that the company still lost considerable money on each one.
Of the first ten pre-production Speedsters built in 1935, bodies 1 to 4 were produced for the auto show circuit. The next six were produced for display at the dealerships. This car is number 9 and is identified as such by the stamped number found on the body in several locations. These first ten early examples were all hand built using leftover 30 and 31 Speedster bodies, and had full pontoon panel fenders underneath and a special supercharger.
It is believed that this car was first shown in the Chicago area and subsequently spent much of its life in the same neighborhood. Noted Auburn authority John Ehresman of A1 Restorations in Southwick, MA purchased the car in 1980 and fully restored it over the next four years including removing the body and starting from the chassis. At the same time he rebuilt the engine. In a recent interview, Ehresman stated that in his opinion the Auburn Speedster is the best example in the world. The next owner of this superb car was Ralph Marano who then sold it to the well known East Coast collector Noel Thompson. Noel had the famous Stone Barn Restorations freshen the prior work. Richard Fass, the owner of Stone Barn, remembers the car scoring 100 points several times while shown by him for Noel, and he also stated that this car is perhaps one of the finest Auburns in existence. The car then passed from Noel Thompson to Pat Ryan in 1995.
Upon inspection the chassis is as clean underneath as the rest of the car on top. The paintwork is unblemished and the panelwork is perfect, while the engine compartment is clean and detailed. The interior is superbly appointed with the finest brown leather upholstery, door panels and beading to the dash top with matching brown carpets. The dashboard plaque confirms that it was driven at 100.8 miles per hour when first tested in 1935! The Speedster has won both a Premier Senior Winner Award and a National First Prize Winner CCCA Award, both indicative of its fine condition.
This superb example is a highly individual car that will undoubtedly be suitable for Classic Car Club shows and tours. With exquisite style and thrilling performance, these cars are a favorite among discriminating collectors. This is undoubtedly the best Auburn Speedster Christie's has ever had the pleasure of offering.
WITHOUT RESERVE
The ex-John Ehresman/Noel Thompson
1935 AUBURN MODEL 851 'BOATTAIL' SPEEDSTER
Chassis No. 32304 E
Cigarette cream with brown leather interior
Engine: straight eight Lycoming, side valve, Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger; 279.9ci.,150bhp at 3,600rpm; Gearbox: three-speed and reverse with two speed rear axle; Suspension: beam front axle, semi-elliptic rear springs; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drum. Left hand drive.
Frank and Morris Eckhart of Auburn, Indiana started the Auburn Motor Company in 1903. As their business grew, they acquired more dealerships to stay ahead of the competition, but by the mid-twenties size had caught up with them and they were in need of new leadership. In 1925 E.L. Cord became general manager and set out to save the company. Under Cord the new Auburn became a very different company, emphasizing style when others in the industry concentrated on engineering. Body styles were changed every few years to keep sales up.
By 1931 Auburn was able to sell a very appealing package for far less than the competition. Their fully equipped V12 cars could be purchased for well under $2,000 and the V8s were cheaper still. By 1934 the depression had caught up and sales were falling. As a remedy Auburn returned to the six cylinder model and curtailed production of the V12. In addition, the 1935 Model 851 'Boattail' Speedster with the straight eight motor was an effort to boost sales with a car that offered both style and performance with a younger, sportier image. It is considered by many auto enthusiasts to be among the most beautiful cars of the classic era. With a tapered Speedster tail designed by Gordon Miller Buehrig, the model was available with a new optional supercharger for the eight cylinder engine that boosted output to an unprecedented 150 brake horsepower and powered the car from 0-60mph in a remarkable 15 seconds. Each of the 146 supercharged Speedsters produced carried a dash plaque indicating the speed at which the car had been tested. To promote their speed A.P.B. Jenkins drove a stock Auburn on the Bonneville Salt Flats, breaking the American class speed record. Auburn won top prizes at the Concours d'Elegance held at the universal Exposition in Brussels thus promoting their elegant styling. While the Speedster created huge demand, it transpired that the company still lost considerable money on each one.
Of the first ten pre-production Speedsters built in 1935, bodies 1 to 4 were produced for the auto show circuit. The next six were produced for display at the dealerships. This car is number 9 and is identified as such by the stamped number found on the body in several locations. These first ten early examples were all hand built using leftover 30 and 31 Speedster bodies, and had full pontoon panel fenders underneath and a special supercharger.
It is believed that this car was first shown in the Chicago area and subsequently spent much of its life in the same neighborhood. Noted Auburn authority John Ehresman of A1 Restorations in Southwick, MA purchased the car in 1980 and fully restored it over the next four years including removing the body and starting from the chassis. At the same time he rebuilt the engine. In a recent interview, Ehresman stated that in his opinion the Auburn Speedster is the best example in the world. The next owner of this superb car was Ralph Marano who then sold it to the well known East Coast collector Noel Thompson. Noel had the famous Stone Barn Restorations freshen the prior work. Richard Fass, the owner of Stone Barn, remembers the car scoring 100 points several times while shown by him for Noel, and he also stated that this car is perhaps one of the finest Auburns in existence. The car then passed from Noel Thompson to Pat Ryan in 1995.
Upon inspection the chassis is as clean underneath as the rest of the car on top. The paintwork is unblemished and the panelwork is perfect, while the engine compartment is clean and detailed. The interior is superbly appointed with the finest brown leather upholstery, door panels and beading to the dash top with matching brown carpets. The dashboard plaque confirms that it was driven at 100.8 miles per hour when first tested in 1935! The Speedster has won both a Premier Senior Winner Award and a National First Prize Winner CCCA Award, both indicative of its fine condition.
This superb example is a highly individual car that will undoubtedly be suitable for Classic Car Club shows and tours. With exquisite style and thrilling performance, these cars are a favorite among discriminating collectors. This is undoubtedly the best Auburn Speedster Christie's has ever had the pleasure of offering.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Special notice
This lot has no reserve.