1936 Auburn 654 Sedan

The Auburn Automobile Company was founded in 1900 by the Eckhart brothers and quickly rose to prominence, with Errett Lobban Cord taking a controlling interest in 1924, installing himself as general manager and presiding over a golden age for the company. With more power and vastly improved styling, the Auburn range was competing with much higher priced makes and the legendary Speedster went on to become one of the most sought after classics of the period. In addition to the straight eights and V12s, Auburn marketed a range of six-cylinder cars from 1934 until the company failed in 1936. The first six, designated the 652, employed a 210-cid version of the alloy head Lycoming engine and streamlined styling, with a controversial shovel nose. Poor sales resulted in noted stylist Gordon Buehrig being engaged to improve the appearance of the various Auburn models for 1935 with the 653/654 range, built on a 120-inch wheelbase with a two-speed differential effectively acting as an over-drive. Auburn listed a number of factory body styles, including a Brougham, Sedan, Coupe, Cabriolet and Phaeton Sedan. An unusual find here in Australia, this lovely American classic boasts numerous period touches and, as it did in the 1930s, the Auburn offers a lot of car for the money.