Last of the Line: 1936 Auburn 654
The Auburn Co. started in business in 1877 producing wagons. Their focus shifted to automobiles 25 years later which would be their mainstay through the end of the line in 1937. The Great Depression had impacted Auburn just as much as the rest of the industry, so demand was way off during the decade. The 654 would be an all-new car introduced in 1934, but it wasn’t enough to keep the company afloat. This example from 1936 is mostly complete and needs a total restoration. It would be a rare show car when put back into circulation. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, this Auburn is available here on craigslist for $5,700. Another cool tip from Barn Finder T.J.!
Two notable saviors helped keep Auburn afloat during the period following the stock market crash of 1929. One was William Wrigley and the other was E.L Cord. But neither was able to keep production numbers at pre-Depression levels. From 20,000 vehicles at the close of the 1920s, production dwindled to under 5,000 in just five years. Cord bankrolled the development of the 654 along with the famous 851 Speedster, but the former never saw more than 6,300 copies made in any one year. By 1937, Auburn would join the rest of the automotive failures in the decade following the Crash.
This Auburn is a 4-door sedan with the “hump-back” trunk as part of its styling technique. It has the same front grille and hood ornament as the more expensive boat-tailed speedsters. Back in the day, the car was amply propelled by its aluminum-head six-cylinder engine and 3-speed manual transmission. Some new pieces will have to be sourced to complete a restoration, including the glove box door and seats. The seller advises that parts to rebuild the 654 can be secured from ACD Factory in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
The seller acquired the car without a title in St. Louis a few years ago. It’s spent the last 15 years in dry storage and its history before that is unknown. We’re guessing the project is more than the seller wishes to undertake and is offering it below the Old Price Guide value of the car of $6,380 (“not running but restorable and not a parts car”). Few of these were around in 1936 and the number of survivors today must represent a small number.
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Comments
This Auburn 654 sedan with the humpback trunk had to be something during its day. Sadly, many of the individuals in the generations who owned and loved these cars are either already deceased or are dying off. I cannot imagine the time, effort and expense it would take to restore this Auburn back to its former glory and would question if the restoration cost would surpass the overall value once completed. I hope someone is up to the challenge with deep enough pockets to see the restoration completed.
You are right that’s why it needs to go to a guy like me who would turn it into an elegant street rod that would be safe and easy to drive.
Looking at the photos, I thought this thing would look great as the basis for a roadster or coupe conversion. As it stands, it’s just an ugly old crate with an iconic front end.
The cost to put back to original would be way more that the car will ever be worth. Hate to say it but, best for the street rodders to have at it.
This is a car that Jay Leno or someone like him with interest and money could handle.
It will probably wind up as a donor for a speedster project. Now my own question – why do people invoke the name of Jay Leno with things like this? He’s not stupid, I cannot imagine him spending $100,000 to make a (maybe) $20,000 sedan.
For what it’s worth, if I had the kind of money and skilled craftsmen available like Leno does, preserving historical cars like this would be exactly what I’d do. And I’d like to think that Leno’s craftsmen would be interested in a new, as-yet-unrestored example of a rare automobile.
If you have “funnymoney,” as a friend of mine calls it, why not use it for some fun?
I guarantee you Jay Leno already has at least one Auburn in his collection, probably more. He is discerning and selective, and this car is simply too pedestrian and too far gone to be of interest to him. Money and labor spent on a full, Leno-style restoration of this mundane sedan would a very poor investment.