1929 Auburn 8-90 “Small 8” Boat Tail Speedster

Description

Our newest arrival was restored by the Prey Family, the Auburn Specialists in Oklahoma. This is a restoration they completed in 2022 and was shown in several AACA events, earning a Grand National First Prize rating in 2023. It ended 2023 on a high note being recognized by the AACA as one of the top 40 cars out of several hundred “Grand National ” category winning cars during the year.

It is a “Small 8” speedster with a striking Light Grey and Dark Blue Paint scheme with light Grey leather interior. Chrome wires and rims contrasted by body color hubs carry the theme to the running gear too. The car runs a Lycoming straight eight-cylinder engine that measures 246.6-cid and puts out 93-hp through its driveline with a three-speed manual transmission.

The Auburn Speedster was an American car, manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company of Auburn, Indiana and manufactured in Union City, Indiana. Other companies had already produced ‘boat tail” autos (Peerless, Packard, Hudson) but Auburn wanted an image leader in an otherwise ordinary lineup of autos. The impressive open two-seater body styled by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky featured a boattail and a fixed V-shaped windscreen. The Speedster had no side windows, no interior door release, and optional roof, a cramped cockpit for only two—yes in a glamorous, aerodynamic looking body. The car was of a straightforward and stout design.

Suspension was by semi-elliptic springs all round and after experiments with hydraulic brakes, Auburn opted for mechanical brakes.

A total of 887 cars were manufactured between 1928 and 1936, across 3 series (1928-1930 with “eight” and “big eight” engines, the V12 series from 1931 to 1934, and the dramatic, iconic 1935-36 Supercharged 8).

We also have two similar original Speedsters currently under construction in our restoration shops and a Speedster body being built from scratch. We will be posting content under the “Projects” tab soon.