The Great Gatsby

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Remington Steele

1935   851 SuperChrarged Auburn Speedster.

Only the center cockpit section of the 1933 Speedster was used in the construction of the 1935 model 851 Speedster.

Sea Biscuit

Dick Tracy with Madonna

1935 Auburn Speedster in the 1937 Movie "HEADLINE CRASHER'' Jimmy Tallant, the carefree son of Senator Tallant feels compelled to help people he thinks are in distress, and by doing so stays in trouble of some kind.

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Ames asked Buehrig if he could cobble up a handful of supercharged 851 speedsters for the up-coming auto show season using some of the unsold speedster bodies Auburn had in storage at the Union City Body Company in Union City, Indiana. Although beautiful, the 1934 speedsters were slow sellers and only 59 examples were produced ( 22 eight cyl.  & 37 twelve cyl, ) leaving an unsold surplus of approximately 41 of the initial 100-unit order placed with Union City.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Upon test-fitting one of the surplus speedster bodies on a new model 851 chassis it was discovered that it would require extensive modifications - in particular the two cars had a differently shaped rear axle kick-up and the width of the frames were different, requiring compensating pieces to mount the 1933 body on the 1935 frame. In addition the cowl of the 851 was significantly wider than its predecessor, requiring several revisions to the hood so that the cowl  of the existing speedster bodies would meet up with the model 851's all new front end. Buehrig decided to scrap the rear end from the rear axle centerline, back.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             By using a group on heavy overtime , the entire design job was done in two weeks, The body was cut in-half just to the rear of the top well cover and the rear portion was thrown-away. A wooden armature was built to hold clay on the tail section and sculptured the new area in full size. Also sculptured the front and rear fenders all on a 1935 chassis. A new hood to match up to the 1935 radiator shell. Cheap hardwood draw forms were constructed for forming the new boattail on a hydraulic press, as well as the rear fenders. The remaining Union City bodies were brought up 10-20 at a time for re-construction. Auburn would then start producing the 1935 851 speedsters at the idle L-29 plant in Auburn, Indiana, that had ceased production of Cord front wheel drive.

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Gordon Buehrig  designed : Model J Duesnebrg and the 851 Auburn Boattail Speedster

Taken at the Los Angeles Coliseum during the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Stills from the 1932 Movie THE DEVIL IS DRIVING. It is the improbable story of a good heart-ed criminal, a garage, a girl and a gang of car thieves.The union City Speedster is a 1931 model 8-98.

The first Daytona Beach race being led by the1935 Supercharged Auburn 851 Speedster.

Built only in the years 1935 and' 36, they were a last gasp attempt to save the terminally ill Auburn Automobile Company by putting a bit of eye candy into the showrooms. The initial plan of Harold Ames was to use the 1933 leftover Speedster bodies, originally designed by Alan Leamy, to make up four show cars. Engineering by legendary Augie Duesenberg and hastily designed by Gordon Buehrig of Duesenberg. The four show cars pulled in orders so the firm continued using up the old ' 33 shells for the first cars, using the mid-sections of the Union City Body Company Speedsters. Dealers were presided to pop a car into their showrooms to pull in the punters who would then buy one of the firm's more conventional offerings. The cars sold quickly enough and production was moved to Auburn's own facility. Early body #'s begin with the prefix 'U', later cars carry 'A'.

1935  851 Supercharged Auburn Boattail Speedster.

The man's name is Montell and he is the owner of the Chicago-based cab company advertised on the sign behind him. His cab company catered to the African-American community.

Blackie's Ride in the first season (1951) of the syndicated first run TV series version of BOSTON BLACKIE, it was produced by the same production company that later produced HIGHWAY PATROL starring Broderick Crawford

One example of only eight built right- hand drive, this Union City Body Co. 851 Speedster. Serial # 851.33094 E. Chassis # 2094 Engine # GH43309 Body # U47-194.

Union City built Auburn Speedster at  the Muroc dry lake run in the Mojave desert. This Speedster was powered by the new 160 h.p. V-12 Lycoming engine."Automotive Industries" reported in it's Jan.1932 issue that new speed records were set at distances from one mile to 500 miles. The mile run set a new 100.77 mph mark, and the 500 mile distance was covered at an average speed of 88.95 mph.

Designer Alan H. Leamy created some of the most memorable designs of the late 20's and early 30's. In addition to his work for the Cord L-29 and 31-34 Auburn Speedsters, he also is credited with some styling of the Duesenberg J.

Walter Hagen American professional golfer and major figure in golf in the first half of the 20th century standing beside his 1935  851 supercharged Auburn Speedster. His tally of 11 professional majors is third behind Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. June 1922 he became the first American to win the British open, giving him the title Sir Walter Hagen.

Extremely Rare! we only built three of these, two in January and one in April of 1933 this being the second one built in January.

Actress Jean Harlow with a 1932 Auburn Boattail Speedster. Photo taken at the July, 1933 National Air Races. The pioneer women aviators seated on the running board are from left to right Amelia Earhart first female pilot to fly solo across Atlantic ocean, Ruth Nichols the only woman yet to hold simultaneous world records for speed,altitude and distance for a female pilot, Nicknamed" The Flying Debutante, then we have Louise Thaden one of America's most captivating aeronautical record setters during the late 20's and 30's

Union City Body Company is credited with building all of the bodies for 8 different versions of the 1930-33 Auburn Boattail Speedster. The 100 standard, 100A Custom, 105 Salon, 12- Series, 12- 60 standard, 12-160A Custom, 161 Standard, 165 Salon. Union City also supplied Auburn with 41 bodies for the 1935- 851 Boattail Speedster, from the initial 100  contracted bodies for the 1934 model year. The 41 leftover bodies were cut in-half just behind the cockpit and a boattail was remanufactured in steel to match the earlier Gordon Buehrig designed Duesenberg speedster, new designed front from the windshield forward. The mid-section was kept, so they had to use the ID badge plate that is located on the passenger side floorboard. Approximately 41 1935 851 Auburn Speedsters will be identified as Union City Speedsters and a few 852's that were not sold in 1935 and were re-badged as 1936 852's.

This 1935  - 851  Union City Auburn Boattail Speedster  with 68,000 original miles, V-12 motor  320 + hp. Supercharger, and a speedometer that goes to 160 mph.

CLICK ON IMAGES

12-165 Salon Boattail Speedster

12-160 Series Boattail Speedster

 8-100 Boattail Speedster

12-161A Boattail Speedster

8-100A  Boattail Speedster

12-160A Boattail Speedster