Auburn Boattail Speedster 1935: Whats It Like to Drive? Check it out!

by Tan161130.

Okay, so, a while back, I got this wild hair to really dive into something I’ve always been fascinated by – classic cars. Not just any classic, but the Auburn Boattail Speedster 1935. I mean, this thing is a legend, right? So, I decided I was gonna learn everything I could about it, maybe even find one to restore. That was the dream, anyway.

I started by hitting up every online forum, dusty old book, and vintage car magazine I could find. I learned that this beauty was actually called the Model 851, and it came out right smack in the middle of the Great Depression. Can you believe that? They were selling a luxury car when folks were struggling to put food on the table. It had this Lycoming 8-cylinder engine, and get this, a mechanical supercharger. The company even guaranteed it could hit 100mph, which was insane for back then. They put a little plaque on the dash to prove it – how cool is that?

Then I started digging into the history of the Auburn company. Apparently, the Speedster was kind of like their last big hurrah. They’d been making them since 1928, but this 1935 model, with its boat tail design, was the one that really stood out. It was like something out of a movie, all sleek lines and curves. And speaking of movies, I found out these cars were all over Hollywood. I guess if you were a big shot in the ’30s, this was the car to be seen in.

My quest then took me to trying to actually see one of these beauties in person. I tracked down a few classic car shows and museums that supposedly had them. I remember the first time I laid eyes on one. It was like stepping back in time. The way the light hit the curves of that boattail, the roar of the engine, it was like nothing else. I spent hours just looking at it, talking to the owner, and taking a ridiculous number of photos.

  • Research: Hit the books, the web, and everything in between.
  • History Dive: Learned about Auburn’s ups and downs.
  • Real-Life Encounter: Finally saw one in the flesh, and it was glorious.

The more I learned, the more obsessed I became. I started sketching out plans, figuring out what it would take to restore one if I ever got my hands on it. What parts were even available anymore? Did anyone still know how to work on these things? These questions kept me up at night. I even started dreaming about driving one down the Pacific Coast Highway, wind in my hair, living that classic movie star life.

I found a few for sale online, but most of them were way out of my price range or in terrible condition. The thought of taking on a full restoration project started to feel a bit overwhelming. I mean, I’m no mechanic. But the dream is still there, simmering in the back of my mind. One day, maybe, I’ll have my own 1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster. Until then, I’ll keep learning, keep dreaming, and keep sharing my passion for this incredible piece of automotive history.

Man, this whole journey has been a wild ride. It just goes to show you, sometimes the best adventures are the ones that take you down unexpected roads. It’s not always about the destination, right? It’s about the journey, the things you learn, and the people you meet along the way. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be cruising down the highway in my very own Boattail Speedster. A guy can dream, can’t he?

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