1935 Auburn 851 Salon Phaeton
4-Door Convertible
- Same Owner for Past 30 Years
- Palm Beach Tan with Tan Soft Top
- Carmel Beige Interior
- 280ci Inline 8 Cylinder
- 3 Speed Manual, 2 Speed Rear (6 Forward Gear Ratios)
- Recent Service: New Spark Plugs and Fuel Filter
- One of 627 Phaetons Produced in 1935
- According to ACD Club, fewer than 25 851 Phaetons exist today
- Museum/Collector Grade Example
- 62k Miles Shown
The 1935 Auburn 851 Salon Phaeton is a striking example of pre-war American automotive design, combining Auburn s distinctive styling with impressive engineering and open-air touring capability. This four-door convertible has been cherished by the same owner for the past 30 years and presents as a museum- and collector-grade automobile. Finished in elegant Palm Beach Tan with a matching Tan soft top, this Auburn has the presence and proportions that have made the marque a favorite among serious collectors of classic American automobiles.
Power comes from Auburn s 280ci inline-eight-cylinder engine, delivering smooth and substantial performance for its era. The engine is paired with a three-speed manual transmission and Auburn s two-speed rear axle, providing six forward gear ratios and allowing the 851 to be comfortably driven in a variety of conditions. Recent service includes new spark plugs and a new fuel filter, helping ensure that this important Auburn remains ready for touring and display.
The Salon Phaeton body style is particularly desirable, offering four doors and generous seating while retaining the appeal of a full convertible. The Palm Beach Tan exterior complements the Carmel Beige interior beautifully, creating a period-appropriate color combination that emphasizes the car s sophisticated character. With its long hood, flowing fenders, sweeping bodywork, and upright grille, the Auburn possesses the unmistakable visual character of a premium American automobile from the mid-1930s.
Production numbers further distinguish this example. Just 627 Auburn 851 Phaetons were produced for 1935, making the model a relatively scarce automobile even when new. According to the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club, fewer than 25 examples are believed to exist today, placing surviving cars firmly within the realm of significant collector automobiles. This level of rarity, combined with the model s attractive open-body configuration, makes the 851 Phaeton an especially compelling piece of Auburn history.
Adding to its appeal is the ownership history, with this example remaining under the care of the same owner for approximately three decades. The car shows 62,404 miles and has been maintained with an appreciation for its originality, historical importance, and presentation. The combination of long-term stewardship, documented production rarity, and recent mechanical service makes this Auburn particularly well suited to a discerning collector seeking an important pre-war automobile.
The 1935 Auburn 851 Salon Phaeton represents an era when American manufacturers were producing some of the most dramatic and technically interesting automobiles of the pre-war period. With its rare Phaeton body, eight-cylinder power, unusual two-speed rear axle, handsome Palm Beach Tan and Carmel Beige presentation, and exceptionally limited surviving population, this Auburn offers both visual distinction and genuine historical significance. For the collector interested in important American classics, this 851 Phaeton stands out as a rare and beautifully preserved example of Auburn s final years of production.
