Auburn Speedster
American automobile model (1925–1937) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American automobile model (1925–1937) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Auburn Speedster is an American car, manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company of Auburn, Indiana and manufactured in Union City, Indiana. A total of 887 cars were manufactured between 1928 and 1936, across 3 series (1928-1930 with "eight" and "big eight" engines, the V12 series from 1931 to 1934, and the dramatic, iconic 1935-36 Supercharged 8 ). The first two series were designed by stylist Alan Leamy. The Auburn 851 Speedster of 1935 was styled by designer Gordon Buehrig, who also was responsible for the Cord Model 810. Al Jenkins broke 70 American speed records in the 1935 car.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2012) |
| Auburn Speedster | |
|---|---|
1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster 851 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Auburn Automobile Company |
| Production | 1925–1937 |
| Assembly | Auburn, Indiana Union City, Indiana |
| Designer | Gordon Buehrig |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door speedster |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.8L side-valve Lycoming engine 6.4L V12 Lycoming |
| Transmission | Three speed manual with synchromesh on second and third ratios in 'high' |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 4,930 mm (194 in) |
| Width | 1,800 mm (71 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) |
In 1924 Auburn output was down to six cars a day, Errett Lobban Cord—a successful automobile salesman—took over the distressed company, and brought in James Crawford to design and develop a new range of vehicles. Other companies had already produced cars with 'boat tail" styling (Peerless, Packard, Hudson) but Auburn wanted to have an image leader in the segment. The Speedster had a fixed windshield, but no side windows, no interior door release, an optional roof, a cockpit for only two in an aerodynamic body.
The first Auburn eight model was introduced in 1925, as the "Auburn Eight-In-Line". In the following year, it received an ungraded 4.8-liter side-valve 68 bhp Lycoming engine and was renamed "8-88".
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That powertrain remained in use until 1930, when it developed 115 bhp, hence the "Speedster 115" model name. The car was of a straightforward and stout design. Suspension was by semi-elliptic springs all round,[1] and after experiments with hydraulic brakes, Auburn opted for mechanical brakes. The three-speed gearbox was in unit with the engine. The open two-seater body styled by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky featured a boat-tail and a vee windscreen.
The "Auburn Speedster 120" with the so-called "big eight" 268 cubic inch, 120 hp engine were built in 1928 and 1929. On a longer chassis and with a longer hood than the 8-88, 100 were built and today only maybe 8 are known to survive.
In 1930, the Auburn Speedster was upgraded and it was renamed "Speedster 125". The Speedster 125 was advertised as a "racing car with comfort of a closed car" with a 125 bhp version of the Lycoming eight giving it a top speed of over 100 mph. It came with models such as "cabin speedster" and others.
In 1931, a V12 range, using a 6.4-liter engine designed by George Kublin and built by Lycoming. As the depression was taking hold, the V12 was expensive and only about 25 of the "Auburn Speedster 160" were built. The V12 engine design was successful, and was used as the basis of the LaFrance engine, used for decades especially in fire trucks.[1]
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The "Speedster 851", which would be the final production model of the manufacturer, was introduced in 1934 with bodywork by Gordon Buehrig that was ingeniously constructed and cost-effectively built. With sandwiched front and rear fenders, backswept radiator, and external side-threaded exhaust pipes, the 851 Speedster is the iconic Auburn "Hollywood car." Its bespoke flat-head eight was powerful, reliable and of a strong and solid design.
The sweeping body lines concealed some innovative and advanced technical features such as the Columbia dual-ratio rear axle[1] that was achieved by interposing an epicyclic gear train between the axle and the crown wheel. When it was engaged, the final drive ratio became a "fast" 4.5:1. It was disengaged by moving a steering-wheel mounted lever and dipping the clutch, whereupon the ratio became a more leisurely 3:1. The three-speed synchromesh gearbox along with that dual ratio axle gave a six-speed transmission. In 1936 came the 852, identical to the earlier models with the exception of the "852" on its radiator grille. The final year of production was 1937 as Auburn ceased car production altogether in 1937. Only 143 of the 851SC boat tail speedsters were made.
The Speedster's iconic "boattail" design would be replicated on cars from later decades, with the two most notable examples being the 1963–1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the 1971–1973 Buick Riviera.[citation needed]
In select early Detective Comics' Batman comics, the Batmobile appears to be modelled after an Auburn 851 Speedster.[2][additional citation(s) needed]
The car is featured in the 1936 British film Lonely Road. Clive Brook refers to it as an "Auburn Supercharger".
Also a replica prop Auburn Boattail Speedster is seen in the opening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
A 1935 Auburn 851 Phaeton Sedan used during the New Amsterdam Inn number in Swing Time (film)[3]
An Auburn 851 Speedster is driven by Loretta Young in the 1937 movie Love Is News.
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