In the early
30s, Auburn Automobile Co., a division of Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg, was
struggling for existence and a classic sales-generated speedster was
needed to increase sales activity in their showrooms. The result was the
851 Speedster designed by master designer Gordon Miller Buehrig.
The 851 was a
massive, yet well-proportioned car that featured a striking grille, a
long low hood, rakish boat-tail and finely chromed pipes exiting from
the side of the engine compartment.
The 851 with
its supercharged Lycoming Straight Eight engine, produced a number of
American Class speed records and became the first American fully
equipped stock car to exceed 100 mph for a 12-hour period.
The model
featured here is from a Limited Edition of 5000 units by ERTL.
