1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Phaeton Nicely Restored Excellent Driving Example

The Auburn Automobile Company grew out of the Eckhart Carriage Company, founded in Auburn, Indiana, in 1875 by Charles Eckhart (1841–1915). Eckhart's sons, Frank and Morris, began making automobiles on an experimental basis before entering the business in earnest, absorbing two other local carmakers and moving into a larger plant in 1909. The enterprise was modestly successful until materials shortages during World War I forced the plant to close. In 1919, the Eckhart brothers sold out to a group of Chicago investors headed by Ralph Austin Bard, who later served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and as Under Secretary of the Navy for President Roosevelt and for President Harry S. Truman. The new owners revived the business but failed to realize the profits that they hoped for.

In 1924, they approached Errett Lobban Cord (1894–1974), a highly successful automobile salesman, with an offer to run the company. Cord countered with an offer to take over completely in what amounted to a leveraged buyout. The Chicago group accepted. Cord aggressively marketed the company's unsold inventory and completed his buyout before the end of 1925. In 1926, he partnered with Duesenberg Corporation, famous for its racing cars, and used it as the launching platform for a line of high-priced luxury vehicles. He also put his own name on a front-wheel-drive car, the Cord, later referred to as "L-29".. Employing imaginative designers such as Alan Leamy and Gordon Buehrig, Cord built cars that became famous for their advanced engineering as well as their striking appearance, such as the 1928 Auburn Boattail Speedster, the Model J Duesenbergs, the 1935–1936 Auburn Speedsters and the 810/812 Cords.

We are very pleased to offer this nicely restored car. Finished in a striking color combination with sidemounted spare, and integrated trunk.

Of course the real special thing here is the supercharged motor with the sporting outside exhaust- think about it- only the most exciting cars from the classic era had outside exhausts- the Mercedes-the Bentley-and of course the Duesenberg. The 35-6 Supercharged Auburns are definitely the "Baby Duesenberg".

This car was purchased by the seller a couple of years ago out of the estate of a large collection on the West Coast. Always a West Coast car, it was restored under previous ownership. At one point the Supercharger malfunctioned and it was removed and a normal Intake and Carburator were installed. Unfortunately, the Supercharger was misplaced, and I'm guessing that after this length of time it is not going to be found. Luckily the Pipes are stilt there, and from my experience owning both supercharged and non supercharged Auburns, there isn't much difference in the performance between the 2- the SC car being faster off the line more so than faster overall. So the point I'm making is its the pipes that really make the car, and the important thing is the car is an actual Supercharged car so reinstalling one once you source one isn't a daunting task.

With few made new and only 20 listed in the ACD Directory, The Supercharged Phaeton is a rare and exciting tour car that really has few peers. Featuring 150 HP, light steering, a fully synchronized and rather sweet gearbox, and a dual ratio rear end, these cars will travel comfortably at highway speeds all day long. The Gordon Buehrig designed 35-6 Auburn is one of the most beautiful cars of the Classic Era, a car that made history, a car that rewards the driver in so many ways, a car you can and drive and enjoy.

This car runs and drives very well and really needs nothing but a happy new owner.