Fewer than 10 RHD Speedsters built; concours-winning Auburn 851 to cross the block at Broad Arrow’s Jet Center sale.
One of the rarest and most celebrated American performance cars of the Classic Era is set to cross the auction block this August, as Broad Arrow Auctions offers a concours-winning 1935 Auburn 851 Super-Charged “Boattail” Speedster at its Monterey Jet Center sale.
Chassis No. 2094, believed to be one of fewer than 10 right-hand-drive examples ever built, carries a rich history of export, restoration, and show-winning prestige. Originally delivered new to Clifford Taylor Automobiles Ltd. of London, the car was showcased at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show, complete with uncommon heater and radio options—features rarely seen on early export models.
Beneath its flowing Cigarette Shade bodywork, the 851 Speedster is powered by a Lycoming eight-cylinder engine with a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger, producing 150 horsepower. Each model left the factory with Ab Jenkins' signature on the dash, certifying its ability to exceed 100 mph—a claim Jenkins famously backed at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
After its return to the U.S. in 1947, the Speedster remained under long-term ownership before undergoing a comprehensive restoration by Auburn expert John Ehresman. The meticulous effort included restoring or recreating every original detail, from the wood frame’s stamped numbers to the dash-mounted Auburn-Crosley radio. The result earned multiple Best in Show awards from prestigious events including the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Spring Meet and the Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic.
Certified ACD Club Category 1 and recognized as a CCCA Full Classic, the car remains in exceptional condition, having most recently been a standout in the John and Jill Shibles Collection. With fewer than 150 Speedsters produced between 1935 and 1936, this factory-supercharged, right-hand-drive example stands among the finest ever offered.
Broad Arrow has placed a pre-sale estimate of $650,000 to $750,000 on the car, with interest expected to be strong among collectors seeking rarity, provenance, and concours-level presentation. See it here.
