1936 Auburn 6-54 - $44,900 - Orange Village, OH - Older restoration in good condition with freshly rebuilt engine. Needs some TLC, but all the hard, expensive work is done.
Yes, you’re reading the number right, this is a 654, which means it’s packing a 6-cylinder engine rather than the 854’s straight-8, but given the six’s many engineering improvements, it is an excellent machine in its own right. Restored in the 1970s and having spent much of the past three decades in a museum, it retains all of the flashy design cues that made Auburns famous in the 1930s. The color combination and materials may be a bit dated, but thanks to ideal storage conditions while in the museum, it exhibits few of the flaws that distinguish older paint jobs. There is no chipping, checking, or flaking and almost no micro-blistering, a remarkable feat that suggests that the restoration work was done to extremely high standards. Today it still looks quite good in two-tone red with black fenders and with a thorough buff and polish, it could be easily enjoyed as-is without the need for excusesChrome and brightwork are also in surprisingly good condition, needing little more than a good polishing to be ready for casual shows and tours, and those big Trippe lights up front are magnificent. Clean it up this winter and it’s ready to enjoy in the spring.
The upholstery is shiny brown vinyl which is obviously incorrect. However, they did work hard to get the patterns correct and it has weathered the passage of the years quite well and remains very presentable. If you’re OK with the material, you’ll find no reason to object to its condition and again, it could easily be used as-is without issues. The instruments are complete and in place, and all but the fuel level gauge appear to be functional. It also offers a clock in the glove compartment lid, which, as usual, is not functional. The steering wheel is excellent and all the door hardware is intact and in presentable condition. Needs include a pair of windshield wiper motors, a new ignition switch (the car starts via a pushbutton under the dash) and a new accelerator pedal, which should be relatively easy to source. The tan canvas top also dates to the ‘70s, and while it is a bit brittle, it does not have any rips or tears and the ultra-rare side posts are included.
The 210 cubic inch inline-six was rebuilt recently and runs superbly. Most Auburn enthusiasts will tell you that the six gives up little to the eight, particularly with its counter-balanced crankshaft which offers notably smoother operation and high-speed cruising comfort. The engine bay is nicely detailed with a green engine block and aluminum head, correct wiring, and a rare Startix system that automatically restarts the engine in the event of a stall (not currently hooked up due to owner’s preferences). The engine makes plenty of oil pressure and keeps its cool without complaint—temperatures during our photo shoot were over 85 degrees, but it never once got cranky. There’s an electric fuel pump underneath to help alleviate vapor lock issues, and the exhaust has a smooth and sporting grumble that suits the Auburn’s personality just fine.
Underneath, the chassis is solid and clean, although not detailed for show. A 3-speed manual transmission with synchromesh means effortless shifting and all Auburns used hydraulic brakes. The brakes need some TLC, as the pedal is somewhat softer than it should be, although we’re working on solving that problem as you read this. Suspension is conventional with rigid axles and leaf springs fore and aft, but ride quality is quite good and the car feels quite nimble around town. Standard steel artillery wheels are a handsome touch and they wear Goodyear whitewalls of unknown age, so replacements might be a good idea before next year’s touring season.
Check the price guides and you’ll quickly see that it’s impossible to come out upside-down on this car. It does need some TLC, but it would make for a fine project this winter and all the difficult, expensive items are already done. Clean it up and fix a few minor items and you will have one of the most handsome, dynamic open cars of the ‘30s, all at a fraction of the cost of its 8-cylinder siblings. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a car that will always be the center of attention and where some sweat equity will truly pay off in a big way.
For more details and photos, please visit www.VintageMotorCarsUSA.com.