1935 Auburn 851 Phaeton 5 Speed, Concours Veteran Great Running and Driving Car

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 and Proven Tour veteran car. Finished in a striking color combination with side mounted spares, Buell Accessory Air Horns, Radio, Heater, and integrated trunk.

The car was purchased by the seller a about 19 years ago out of ACD Club Ownership. It had been restored in the 80s and set up for touring with a TRW 5 Speed Gearbox and Ford Rear End Gears hidden in the original Columbia Rear End Casing. Since acquired the car has been improved with a rebuilt Engine in 2018, New Full Leather Interior and Carpets, Rebuilt Water Pump, and more. Selective repainting was performed as well and the striking belt molding. The top is older and is about the only thing that one may want to replace, but it doesn't leak and its usually down. It does have a very nice top boot. The current owner was the Chairman of the Cincinnati Concours, and this car was a regular participant in Concours events around the Midwest-always being driven there and back. its been a regular at the ACD Annual Meet of course. Accompanied by Books Tools Manuals and Records as well as lots of interesting spare bits.

The car is a great performer. This was my first time driving an Auburn with this gearbox added and I really liked it. It was much better off the line and didn't have that whine the original gearbox has. It ran very very well, I would not hesitate to drive this car cross country. 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.