Designed by the famed Gordon Buehrig " who at age 25 was Chief Body Designer for Duesenberg " the 1935 Auburn 851 Salon Phaeton was built to help save E. L. Cord's automotive empire. Buehrig incorporated the best of Alan Leamy's designs while adding his own styling updates, and turned to Lycoming for the tried-and-true eight-cylinder engine. The Salon Phaeton was sold with the innovative 'Dual Ratio' two-speed rear axle supplied by Columbia, effectively providing six forward speeds. Benefiting from a quality older restoration, a Classic Car Club of America National First Prize badge number #9268 is affixed to the right cowl. The body is light beige accented by rich burgundy on the fenders, dual side-mounted spare tire covers, and convertible top. The front end features twin Trippe safety lights, sleek bullet-type chrome headlamps, twin front-fender lamps, an Auburn 'Flying Goddess' mascot, and a full-length hood with cooling louvers. The engine-turned dash holds optional twin electric windshield wipers, a locking glove box with inset clock, rear-passenger robe/grab bar, and a very rare Auburn-Crosley AM radio. Maintenance work in 2022 included servicing the top-end of the engine and resealing the Lycoming straight-eight, as well as attention to the Columbia two-speed rear axle " ready for CARavan tours and the annual ACD Reunion in Auburn, Indiana.
