Auburn Model 852 Speedster

The name 'Speedster' was first used by Auburn in 1928 for a sporty car with a so called 'boat tail' (a then fashionable, boat shaped rear end) and an inline eight cylinder engine.

In 1934 this model is succeeded by the imposing yet elegant 851 Speedster, designed by Gordon Buehrig and equipped with a mechanically driven Schweitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger. At maximum output it runs at 24,000 rpm, with the tips of the rotor blades even reaching supersonic speeds. A standard Auburn 851 Speedster is the first American car that, during an endurance test, drives for twelve hours at an average speed of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). After this achievement all Speedsters receive a commemorative plaque on the dashboard. In 1936 the slightly revised model 852 appears. Although the car does not sell well and the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg empire has to close its doors in 1937, the Auburn 851/852 Speedster is still regarded by many enthusiasts as the most beautiful car the company ever produced.