Serial No. 33094E

Chassis No. 2094

Engine No. GH 43309

Supercharger No. 1159

Body No. U47-194

Errett Lobban Cord transformed Auburn from a struggling automaker into a symbol of style and performance during the 1920s and 1930s. Joining the brand in 1924, he revitalized their lineup with vibrant paint and implemented an aggressive marketing campaign. Under his leadership, sales doubled in both 1925 and 1926, leading to his appointment as president. Auburn soon attracted Hollywood stars, athletes, and executives, carving a niche within Cord's holdings by delivering high-performance cars at more accessible prices than Duesenberg. The first Auburn Speedster, launched in 1928, proved competitive in racing.

In 1931, Auburn introduced new styling influenced by Alex Leamy's Cord L-29-featuring a split radiator shell, angled windscreen, and the iconic "boattail." The Speedster was offered with Eight- and Twelve-cylinder engines across three trim levels in 1933 and 1934. The following year saw the updated styling of Gordon Buehrig. This updated the design saw a new raked radiator shell, straight hood, external exhausts, and sweeping pontoon fenders. Powered by a Lycoming eight-cylinder engine with a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger, it reached a top speed of 101.5 mph. Each 851 Speedster carried Ab Jenkins' signature on the dashboard, certifying its 100 mph+ performance.

Ninety years after it first rolled off the assembly line, the Auburn 851 Speedster remains one of the most significant and beautiful American performance cars of the Classic Era. With only around 150 produced between 1935 and 1936, the model is highly prized by collectors-with original examples like this even more so.

Out of 150 Boattails produced, chassis number 33094 has the unique distinction of being one of less than 10 examples built for export to England in right-hand-drive configuration. A badge that remains affixed to the car today records it was delivered to Clifford Taylor Automobiles Ltd. of London's Berkeley Square. Period photos show the car at the square and during the 1935 Olympia Motor Show. As the ideal show car for the British market, the car was complete with the rarely seen heater and radio options.

The car remained in England until 1947, when it was brought back to the United States by a serviceman returning from duty. It was then purchased by a Mr. Formicelli of Trumbull, Connecticut, in 1949. Under Formicelli's long-term ownership, the car was lightly restyled with distinct drop-down doors, reshaped fenders with Frenched headlights on the front, and the bumpers removed. After a remarkable 45 years of ownership, Formicelli sold the Speedster to expert Auburn restorer John Ehresman in Connecticut. The car was later acquired by Bruce Earlin of Milford, Pennsylvania, who left the car in Ehresman's care for a complete restoration.

Over the next three years, the Speedster received a comprehensive restoration, bringing the car to show ready condition. Stripping the car to a bare frame, such attention to detail was taken during the restoration that no small detail was overlooked. Part of the wood frame for the bodywork was replaced as part of the restoration, but the detail work included restamping it with the correct and original numbers, just like Auburn did. Once the wood frame for the body was expertly repaired, the bodywork was refinished in period-correct Cigarette Shade while the interior was finished with Maroon leather. The steel disc wheels with chrome beauty rings and hubcaps were finished to match Maroon. Additional restoration details include the Stabilite headlamps, dash-mounted Auburn-Crosley radio, clock, and the 120 mph speedometer.

Once complete, the car was shown at the 1997 Auburn Cord Duesenberg (ACD) Spring meet, not only capturing a Best in Class award but fought stiff competition to earn a highly prized Best in Show! The Speedster was next shown at the Classic Car Club of America meet in the summer, earning 100 points at the 1997 CCCA Grand Classic. In search of more honors, the car was shown with the Antique Automobile Club of America at the 1997 national meet in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where it earned the Lycoming Award and another fiercely contested Best in Show. In September 1998, the car was shown again with the ACD, where it earned a Category 1 certified status.

The car was later sold by Earlin, with it later joining the noted Clem and Mary Lange Collection. Still in show condition, the car received another Best in Class award at the 2012 Louisville Concours d'Elegance. Since then, the car has been maintained to a high standard. In 2021, the Speedster entered the collection of John and Jill Shibles as a true standout of the collection for its restoration quality and the rarity of its original right-hand-drive configuration. As presented today, this Speedster surely ranks among the most compelling examples of these celebrated motorcars currently available.