Serial Number: 852 32657 E
Has good Illinois title.
See it run and drive!
Engine #: GH 5142
Production Era: 1935–1936
One of America's Most Beautiful and Exclusive Pre-War Masterpieces
A true legend of the Art Deco era, this 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Boattail Speedster represents one of the rarest, most visually arresting, and performance-minded American automobiles ever constructed. Conceived by the brilliant, 30-year-old designer Gordon Buehrig, the 852 Speedster was styled to evoke the sweeping lines of a luxury racing yacht while delivering record-shattering engineering. Built for only two model years (the identical 851 in 1935 and the 852 in 1936), it is estimated that fewer than 150 genuine Supercharged Speedsters were originally built, with only a fraction surviving today under the intense stewardship of elite collectors.
Highlights
● 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged "Boattail" Speedster
● One of only approximately 150 original supercharged examples built
● The ultimate performance and luxury flagship of the Auburn Automobile Company
● 280 cu. in. Lycoming L-Head Straight-8 engine
● Schweitzer-Cummins Centrifugal Supercharger producing a formidable 150 horsepower
● Three-speed manual transmission paired with a Columbia Dual-Ratio rear axle (providing 6 forward speeds)
● Guaranteed from the factory to exceed 100 MPH, complete with a dash-mounted plaque signed by racing driver David "Ab" Jenkins
● Finished in jaw-dropping, period-correct Cigarette Cream over a premium Morocco Red leather interior
● Signature external, chrome-plated side-exhaust pipes and sweeping pontoon fenders
Exceptional Provenance
This remarkable 852 Speedster boasts an exceptional, fully documented history, having spent decades shielded within a prominent East Coast private collection before transitioning to its current owner. Recognizing its extraordinary level of authenticity, the vehicle underwent a comprehensive, multi-year, no-expense-spared restoration completed by a marquee specialist. Every effort was made to preserve and restore original components, ensuring the powertrain, body panels, and supercharger assembly retain their factory-born numbers and stampings. The result is an authentic, striking, and investment-grade presentation of pre-war American opulence.
Historical Significance
The Boattail Speedster’s iconic, rakish rear styling remains an enduring triumph of industrial art, famously influencing decades of automotive design—from the Corvette Stingray to the Buick Riviera. Powered by the legendary Lycoming straight-eight, it was a technological tour de force featuring vacuum-controlled "Dual Ratio" gearing that allowed drivers to flip a steering-wheel lever for low-rpm highway cruising. Born during the depths of the Great Depression, the Speedster was never intended as a mass-market vehicle. It was built as a halo car to capture the imagination of the world, making it the definitive "Hollywood Car" of the 1930s and a Holy Grail for modern collectors.
Auction Opportunity
Genuine, certified Auburn Speedsters are rarely offered publicly, and examples with this caliber of pedigree and mechanical clarity are scarcer still. Combining a breathtaking Gordon Buehrig design, numbers-matching supercharged power, and supreme historical significance, serial number 32657E represents a blue-chip acquisition. Whether destined to anchor an elite private museum, compete at global concours d'elegance events, or partake in premier vintage rallies, this iconic Auburn stands as a pinnacle of American automotive history.
Aumann Auctions is proud to present an extraordinary collection of incredible vintage automobiles and motorcycles spanning more than 90 years of motoring history. Headlined by the Don Henley Collection featuring some extraordinary Fords that are second to none! From the pioneering days of the 1914 Ford Model T Touring to the elegance and innovation of the great Classic Era, the collection offers an impressive journey through automotive history. Among the early Ford offerings are a 1925 Ford Model TT Fire Truck Pumper, 1933 Ford V8 Roadster Pickup and elegant 1935 Ford Deluxe Phaeton. But the real standout Fords are the pristine 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman and the 1947 For Super Deluxe Woody Wagon! Be sure to study all the documentation, awards, recognitions and photographs that prove these Fords to be of the absolute highest quality.
Along with Don's collection, we are proud to offer another great selection of cars from a fellow collector including an impressive 1936 Auburn Boat Tail Speedster, 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged, 1939 Cadillac Fleetwood V16, 1957 Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado Biarritz Convertible and a 1932 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood! Some incredible 2-wheelers round out the offering with a 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, 1941 Indian Four with Sidecar, 1949 Powell P-81 Motorcycle, 1951 Whizzer Sportsman and a historic 1957 Forall Scooter! The collection brings together some of the most iconic names and designs of the American road. From early Fords and elegant pre-war classics to woodies, convertibles and legendary motorcycles, every corner of this collection reflects exceptional quality, craftsmanship and character. A remarkable collection. An exceptional opportunity.
PERSONAL PROPERTY TERMSONLINE ONLY BIDDINGPLEASE READ AND REVIEW THE TERMS THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO BIDDINGIF YOU HAVE NOT READ AND UNDERSTOOD THESE TERMS, PLEASE DO NOT BIDBY BIDDING ON THIS AUCTION, BUYER AGREES TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH AND ENTERS INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE THE ITEM(S) UNDER THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS:1. CATALOG: Aumann Auctions has put forth every effort in preparing the catalog for this auction to provide accurate descriptions of all items. All lots are sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS, with all faults, imperfections and errors of description. Due diligence is the responsibility of the bidder/buyer. Printed statements or descriptions by staff are provided in good faith and are matters of opinion.2. PAYMENTS: There is a 15% Buyers Premium WITH A 5% CASH/CHECK/WIRE DISCOUNT added to your total purchase. All sales are final. No refunds All accounts must be settled at the conclusion of the auction. We accept Cash, Checks, Certified Funds, Visa & MasterCard ONLY. If paying by credit card, you will be charged for your purchases, plus Buyers Premium, and any applicable taxes. NOTHING will be charged to your card until a purchase is made. Only Pickup bidders may pay by check or cash.Note: Checks may be processed the day of the auction; be sure to have adequate funds in your account. Each transaction necessary to collect insufficient funds will have a $25 fee imposed plus the liability of Default of Buyer below.*Cash payments of more than $10,000 will require Form 8300 to be filled out by the buyer (or person paying cash on behalf of the buyer) and filed with the IRS, including social security number, driver's license, and occupation.3. DEFAULT OF BUYER: Successful bidder not paying for items within 3 days of the date of the auction will be considered in default. Such default by the Successful Bidder will result in that Bidder's liability to both the Seller and Aumann Auctions, Inc. Seller shall have the right to (a) declare this contractual agreement cancelled and recover full damage for its breach, (b) elect to affirm this contractual agreement and enforce its specific performance or (c) resell the items either publicly or privately with Aumann Auctions, Inc. and in such an event, the Buyer shall be liable for payment of any deficiency realized from the second sale plus all costs including, but not limited to, the holding/transporting/storage costs of the items, the expenses of both sales, legal and incidental damages of both the Seller and Aumann Auctions, Inc.In addition, Aumann Auctions, Inc. also reserves the right to recover any damages separately from the breach of the Buyer. The purchaser agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred by Aumann Auctions, Inc. in the collection of funds. The purchaser also agrees that a storage/handling fee of 2% per month be added to the balance of any unpaid balance due Aumann Auctions, Inc. and any other costs or losses incurred by the Buyer's failure to adhere to these terms. Any debt collection or dispute proceedings will be litigated or arbitrated in Montgomery County, Illinois at the option of both the Seller and Aumann Auctions, Inc.Both the Successful Bidder and Seller shall indemnify Aumann Auction, Inc. for and hold harmless Aumann Auctions, Inc. from any costs, losses, liabilities, or expenses, including attorney fees resulting from Aumann Auctions, Inc. being named as a party to any legal action resulting from either Bidder's or Seller's failure to fulfill any obligations and undertakings as set forth in this contractual agreement.4. SHIPPING: The auction company can arrange packing and shipping. Packing and shipping costs are the responsibility of the Buyer and may be quoted before shipping. Fragile or large items will be shipped by a professional shipping company and will result in higher shipping costs. All items will be insured for the purchase price. Our first priority is to deliver your new purchase in excellent condition. We will not ship any chemical or hazardous materials.5. MISSING ITEMS: We document the contents of each package. Please do not discard the original shipping box and packaging if you think something is missing.6. PICK UP ITEMS: All pickups are scheduled in advance. Please refer to the auction description for pickup time and location details. Buyers are responsible for verifying that all items are accounted for before removing any boxes from the premises. All purchases must be picked up within 30 days of the auction closing. Items not picked up within 30 days will be considered forfeited and may be resold at the auction company’s discretion. Purchases not picked up within 14 days will be subject to a storage fee of $5 per lot, per day.ONLINE BIDDERSBIDDING AND REGISTRATION INFORMATIONBIDDER VERIFICATION: Bidding rights are provisional, and if identity verification is questionable, Aumann Auctions, Inc. has the right to reject the registration, and bidding activity will be terminated. The Seller and Aumann Auctions, Inc. reserve the right to preclude any person from bidding if there is any question as to the person's credentials, mental fitness, etc. Bidders agree to keep their username and password confidential as they are responsible for ANY and ALL activity involving their account. If the registered bidder's username is offensive to Aumann Auctions, Inc. or in their sole opinion detrimental to Bidding Activity, then Aumann Auctions, Inc. reserves the right to delete the bidder from bidding or unilaterally change the username with notification to the Bidder. When using the website, you must obey any and all local state and federal laws. Violations will result in termination of website use privileges.MAXIMUM BID: When you bid your maximum bid, the current bid price does not automatically advance to your maximum bid. Another bidder has to bid to increase the current price, and the computer will automatically bid up to your maximum in the increments specified.AUCTION END TIMES: Aumann Auctions, Inc. online only auctions are timed events, and all bidding will close at specified time. However, our auctions also have what is called an ‘Auto Extend’ feature. Any bid placed within the final 5 minutes of an auction results in the auction automatically extending 5 additional minutes. The bidding will extend in 5-minute increments from the time the last bid is placed until there are no more bids, and the lot sits idle for 5 minutes. Therefore, the auction will not close until all bidding parties are satisfied and no one can be outbid at the last seconds without having another opportunity to bid again.TECHNICAL ISSUES: In the event there are technical difficulties related to the server, software, internet or any other online auction-related technologies, Aumann Auctions, Inc. reserves the right to extend bidding, continue the bidding, or close the bidding. Neither the company providing the software, nor Aumann Auctions, Inc. shall be held responsible for a missed bid or the failure of the software to function properly for any reason.CONDUCT OF THE AUCTION: Conduct of the auction and increments of bidding are at the direction and discretion of Aumann Auctions, Inc. Aumann Auctions, Inc. reserves the right to reject any and all bids for any reason and also reserves the right to cancel this auction or remove any item or lot from this auction prior to the close of bidding. All decisions of Aumann Auctions are final.YOUR BID ON THIS AUCTION INDICATES BOTH AN UNDERSTANDING AND AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS OF THIS CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOURSELF AND BOTH AUMANN AUCTIONS, INC. AND THE SELLER AND THAT YOU, AS THE BIDDER, ARE PREPARED TO PURCHASE ITEMS UNDER THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
Monday-Friday 9am-4pm.
20114 IL RT 16, Nokomis, IL 62075
