Few American automobiles evoke the glamour and thrill of 1930s motoring quite like the Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster. Designed by the legendary Gordon Buehrig, the 851 combined breathtaking Art Deco styling with impressive mechanical performance, resulting in one of the most visually dramatic and technologically advanced cars of its time.

Nicknamed the “Boattail” Speedster for its distinctive tapered rear deck, the 851 was powered by a supercharged straight-eight engine producing 150 horsepower—a significant jump from its naturally aspirated sibling. The boost came courtesy of a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger, proudly announced by chrome side exhausts emerging from the engine bay. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox and a Columbia dual-ratio rear axle, offering the driver a total of six effective gear combinations. A switch in the steering wheel allowed seamless ratio changes, making the 851 remarkably flexible for both city and highway driving.

Each Speedster left the factory with a dashboard plaque reading, “This certifies that this AUBURN AUTOMOBILE has been driven 100.8 miles per hour before shipment,” signed by famed record-setter Ab Jenkins. While symbolic, the plaque spoke to the performance pedigree baked into every Auburn Speedster—something few American cars of the time could claim with confidence.

The example presented here, serial no. 851 33734 E, has a distinguished provenance. Owned by Dr. Fred Zaidan of Pennsylvania from the early 1950s, the car remained in the Zaidan family for 46 years. During that time, it was loaned to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum from 1985 to 1988, allowing the public a rare glimpse of its elegance. In 1998, it was acquired by enthusiast Hal Bjorklund, who commissioned a full restoration by Auburn specialist Mark Clayton.

The restoration earned the car top honors: Primary First Place at the ACD Club National Reunion, Senior First Place and Best of Show at the ACD West Coast Meet, and coveted ACD Category 1 Certification. Afterward, it passed through the hands of esteemed collectors James Covert and Robert Thayer, earning a 100-point score at the 2010 CCCA Grand National in Georgia and taking Best in Class at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. It was also shown at Pebble Beach in 2009, further solidifying its status as one of the finest Auburn Speedsters in existence.

In 2021, the car was acquired by Tom Maoli at the Hershey Auction, joining his collection of prewar American greats. With its concours-level restoration beautifully preserved, this Auburn remains ready for both exhibition and spirited road use.

A perfect blend of style and speed, the 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster is more than a design icon—it’s a true driver's car with racing soul and coachbuilt beauty. Few automobiles of the era encapsulate the optimism, craftsmanship, and ingenuity of prewar American motoring as completely as this one.