Auburn Speedster

The first Auburn eight model was introduced in 1925, as the "Auburn Eight-In-Line". In the following year, it received an ungraded 4.8-liter side-valve 68 bhp Lycoming engine and was renamed "8-88".

That powertrain remained in use until 1930, when it developed 115 bhp, hence the "Speedster 115" model name. The car was of a straightforward and stout design. Suspension was by semi-elliptic springs all round,[1] and after experiments with hydraulic brakes, Auburn opted for mechanical brakes. The three-speed gearbox was in unit with the engine. The impressive open two-seater body styled by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky featured a boat-tail and a vee windscreen.

In 1930, the Auburn Speedster was upgraded and it was renamed "Speedster 125". The Speedster 125 was advertised as a "racing car with comfort of a closed car" with a 125 bhp version of the Lycoming eight giving it a top speed of over 100 mph. It came with models such as "cabin speedster" and others.

A V12 range, using a 6.4-liter engine designed by George Kublin and built by Lycoming was rather short-lived and eventually did not prove successful, 1934 marked its demise.[1]

Auburn Speedster 851 Supercharged

The "Speedster 851" would be the final production model of the manufacturer was introduced in 1931 with bodywork by Gordon Buehrig that was ingeniously constructed and cost-effectively built. Its bespoke flat-head eight was powerful, reliable and of a strong and solid design.

The sweeping body lines concealed some innovative and advanced technical features such as the Columbia dual-ratio rear axle[1] that was achieved by interposing an epicyclic gear train between the axle and the crown wheel. When it was engaged, the final drive ratio became a "fast" 4.5:1. It was disengaged by moving a steering-wheel mounted lever and dipping the clutch, whereupon the ratio became a more leisurely 3:1. The three-speed synchromesh gearbox along with that dual ratio axle gave a six-speed transmission. In 1936 came the 852, identical to the earlier models with the exception of the "852" on its radiator grille. The final year of production was 1937 as Auburn ceased car production altogether in 1937.

• Location: Front, longitudinal.
• Type: Water-cooled in-line flathead side-valve eight cylinder with aluminum alloy cylinder head.
• Cubic capacity: 4585 cc/280 cu in.
• Bore x stroke: 77.78 mm × 120.6 mm/3.06 in × 4.75 in.
• Valve gear: Two in-line valves per cylinder operated by block mounted camshaft.
• Fuel supply: Single Strombreg downdraft carburettor with Schweitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger.
• Ignition: Coil and distributor, mechanical.
• Maximum power: 150 bhp @ 4000 rpm[1]

• Layout: Clutch and gearbox in unit with engine.
• Clutch: Single dry plate
• Gearbox: Three speed manual with synchromesh on second and third ratios in 'high'

1st 2.86:1

2nd 1.68:1

3rd 1.0:1

• Final drive: Spiral bevel with epicyclic gear dual ratio axle.[1]
• Ratio: 3:1 and 4.5:1

• Front: Non-independent with semi-elliptic leaf springs and hydraulic dampers.
• Rear: Non-independent with live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs and hydraulic dampers.[1]

• Type: Worm and peg.[1]

• Type: Lockheed drums front and rear; hydraulically operated.[1]

• Type: Steel welded spoke wheels with 6.50″ × 15″[1]

• Type: Steel box section X-braced chassis with steel Speedster body, two doors, two seats.[1]

• Length: 4,930 mm (194 in)
• Width: 1,800 mm (71 in)
• Weight: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb)

• Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h)