1936 Auburn 852 SC Cabriolet

This 1936 Auburn 852 was purchased from a 2011 Federal Marshall’s Office auction by a previous owner who disassembled it before selling it as a project via BaT in 2014. It remained in an unfinished state until being purchased seven years ago by the seller, who completed the refurbishment with work including a repaint in blue, a re-trim of the interior in gray leather, and overhauls of the 280ci Lycoming straight-eight and its Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger. Additional features include a three-speed manual transmission, a Columbia dual-ratio rear end, a Startix automatic starting system, hydraulic drum brakes, blue-painted wire wheels, a beige convertible top, a rumble seat, and a radio. This 852 cabriolet is now offered with Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club certification, trophies from current ownership, and a clean Illinois title in the seller’s name.

Introduced in mid-1934 for the 1935 model year, the 851 series carried over much of Al Leamy’s design from the previous year, but with front-end styling heavily revised by Gordon Buehrig. The model was updated with 852 nomenclature for 1936 and was available in both open and closed configurations with either a naturally aspirated or supercharged eight-cylinder engine. Steel bodywork was produced by the Central Manufacturing Company and features rear-hinged doors, a raked grille embedded in a body-color shell, a centrally hinged louvered hood, and a flying-lady hood ornament.

Partially finished in primer when purchased by the seller, this example’s cabriolet body is said to have been stripped by Redi-Strip in Roselle, Illinois, during the seller’s refurbishment. Subsequent work by the seller included body repairs and a repaint in the current shade of blue with pale blue pinstriping, and the brightwork was re-chromed during the project. Features include front and rear bumpers with guards, external corrugated exhaust pipes, “Super-Charged” hood badging, and a beige convertible top.

Blue-painted wire wheels wear bright hubcaps and are wrapped in 7.00R16 Auburn Deluxe Radial wide-whitewall tires, while a spare is housed under a body-color cover at the rear of the car. Stopping is handled by hydraulic drum brakes at each corner.

The cabin is trimmed in gray leather over the bench seat and door panels, and matching upholstery covers the rumble seat. Additional features include black rubber floor mats, roll-up windows, a locking glovebox with a door-mounted clock, and a Crosley rotary-dial radio.

The three-spoke steering wheel carries a switch for rear-end ratio selection and sits ahead of a black-painted dash accented by diamond-patterned panels. Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and a combination gauge monitoring coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and amperage. The five-digit odometer shows 6k miles, approximately 150 of which have been added under current ownership.

The 280ci Lycoming straight-eight features an aluminum cylinder head and a single Stromberg downdraft carburetor. The Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger was optional on eight-cylinder Auburns starting in 1935 and helped the engine produce a factory rated 150 horsepower. The engine and supercharger are said to have undergone machine work during the refurbishment. A Bendix starting system provides automatic restarting in the event of an engine stall. Images of the carburetor and floor mat prior to their installation during the refurbishment are included in the photo gallery below.

The three-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels via a Columbia dual-ratio rear axle, which allows the driver to select from two differential ratios. Solid-axle suspension incorporates semi-elliptical leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers all around.

The ACD Verification of Origins certificate lists the original component numbers as well as club identification number A-625. It denotes the car as an 851, which the seller states is a clerical error.