America’s Most Beautiful Car? The Auburn 851 Boattail Speedster

There can be little doubt that the Auburn 851 Supercharged Boattail Speedster is one of the most beautiful cars of its age, if not of all ages, and it stands as a high point of American automobile design from the pre-WWII era.

Designed by the legendary Gordon Buehrig, the Auburn Speedster is a car that’s every bit as fast as it looks thanks to its inline-eight cylinder, 4.6 liter flathead engine mated to a Schweitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger – total power output is 150 bhp.

Fast Facts – The Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster

• Released in 1934 as a successor to the Speedster 125, the Speedster 851 featured stunningly beautiful bodywork styled by designer Gordon Buehrig.
• Unusually for the time, the supercharged Speedster 851 was capable of exceeding 100 mph, and each car came with a plaque on the dashboard to guarantee to this ability.
• The 1930s were an exceedingly difficult time for American automakers, particularly those who made high-end luxury cars. The Great Depression has caused widespread financial ruin, and many car companies didn’t survive.
• Born into this tumultuous time, the Auburn Speedster 851 managed to mark up approximately 150 sales over its four year production run, though Auburn did succumb to bankruptcy in 1937.

The Boattail Speedster 851

The Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster, more commonly known simply as the Speedster 851 or simply as the Auburn Boattail, was released in 1934 to universal acclaim. Heralded as a masterpiece of automotive design, the sweeping lines and boattail rear of the car hinted at its high-speed ability.

The boattail rear of the car has been winning the 851 fans for the better part of a century.

A classic Gordon Buehrig design, the 851 and the subsequent 852 were among the fastest production cars of their age. By this time Buehrig was already a celebrated designer, having penned the Stutz Black Hawks that competed at Le Mans and the beautiful Duesenberg Model J.

After the Speedster 851 Buehrig would style the Cord 812 (and 810) which were similarly lauded for their good-looks and high-speed performance.

Like many cars of the era the Supercharged Speedster used body on chassis design with non-independent suspension front and rear on leaf springs. Power was provided by an unusual flathead straight-eight engine that was built in unit with the transmission.

The swept capacity of the engine is 280 cubic inches or 4.6 liters (4,585cc), it was fitted with a Strombreg downdraft carburettor feeding through a Schweitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger.

Thanks to the fitment of the blower the engine was able to turn out 150 bhp at 4,000 rpm, a marked increase over the 115 bhp of the naturally aspirated version. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission and a two-speed rear end, effectively giving the car six forward speeds.

With all that power on tap the car needed the best brakes that were available, so Auburn fitted each Speedster with hydraulic Lockheed drum brakes front and rear.

In a stroke of marketing genius, each Auburn Speedster came with this plaque on the dashboard attesting to its high speed capabilities. 100 mph was an impressive figure for a production vehicle in the 1930s.

Each 851 came with a plaque on the dashboard that said:

“This certifies that this AUBURN AUTOMOBILE has been driven 100.1 miles per hour before shipment.”

It was signed by land speed record holder David “Ab” Jenkins, though of course he didn’t personally drive each car to over 100 mph it was a successful marketing tool and modern Speedster owners love to show the plaque off.

The reason for the addition of the plaque was that the 851 Speedster was the first American production car in history to average a speed of 100 mph over a 12 hour period in an endurance test.

Remington Steele And The Faux Speedster

Decades after the Speedster 851 left production and the Auburn Automobile Company went bankrupt the car suddenly shot back into the public conciousness thanks to the American television series Remington Steele starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan.

Brosnan played a smooth talking conman in the series who played the part of Steele, the role would later help catapult him into the most famous role of his career, that of James Bond.

In season two of Remington Steele the detective agency acquires what appears to be a 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster which was used in a number of episodes. The truth of the matter is that the car was actually a replica, however it looked real enough to fool all but the most experienced eye.

A very early version of the Batmobile is said to have been drawn based on inspiration from the Speedster, seeing one in black from the side like this makes it clear why it was chosen.

The 1935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster Shown Here

The can you see here has had its history traced back to the early 1950s at which time it belonged to Dr Fred Zaidan of Pennsylvania.

The doctor and his family kept the car in their possession for 46 years in total, not selling it until 1998 when second-generation Auburn and Cord aficionado Hal Bjorklund acquired it. Bjorklund then hired Auburn specialist Mark Clayton to fully restore the car back to original condition.

After its restoration the car took Primary First Place at the ACD Club National Reunion in Auburn, Indiana. It would later be awarded Senior First Place and Best of Show at the Club’s West Coast Meet, and it was Certified Category 1 by the ACD Club.

It’s now due to roll across the auction block with RM Sotheby’s on the 8th of October with a price guide of $700,000 – $900,000 USD, and it’s being offered with no reserve. If you’d like to read more or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing.

Alex Stewart ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

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The Rare Land Rover Winter Water Wolf: A Defender For The Royal Marines

This is an original Land Rover Winter Water Wolf, it’s one of just 50 that are thought to have been built for Britain’s Royal Marines to be used in amphibious landing operations and extreme cold weather climates.

The unusual name of this Land Rover is an indicator of its unusual abilities, it’s a heavily modified Land Rover Defender 90 that is now capable of handling temperatures down to -46ºC or -51ºF, and it’s capable of wading through water up to 1.5 meters or 5 feet deep.

Fast Facts – The Land Rover Winter Water Wolf

• Fewer than 50 examples of the Land Rover Winter Water Wolf were built, they were designed to handle deep water crossings and extreme cold.
• The Land Rover Wolf was a series of Defender-based 4x4s used by the British Armed Forces starting in 1998, 97 variants were made and all had special roles to fill.
• The Wolf was considerably upgraded over the standard Defender, with a strengthened chassis, a lightweight fiberglass roof, stronger axles, side mounted spare wheels, and a special version of the older (simpler) Land Rover 300Tdi engine was used.
• Thousands of examples of the Land Rover Wolf have been made, many remain in service though a few thousand have now been sold off into civilian hands.

The Land Rover Wolf

Though it outwardly looks a lot like the Defender, the Wolf is a considerably upgraded vehicle that was developed with very little attention paid to comfort and a lot of attention paid to toughness and reliability.

The Wolf is one of the toughest versions of the Defender ever made, they’re now highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.

The chassis and axles were reengineered, heavy duty suspension was fitted, and an even more rugged version of the Land Rover 300Tdi diesel engine was fitted. This engine was chosen over the more modern Land Rover Td5 diesel engine due to its simpler electronics, and for the fact it was already very familiar to British military mechanics.

The British MOD (Ministry of Defense) officially designated the Wolf with a number of names depending on the specification, for example there is the Truck Utility Light (TUL) HS and the Wolf 110 Truck Utility Medium (TUM) HS (HS stands for High Specification). Land Rover calls the vehicle the eXtra Duty (XD).

A vast array of specialist versions of the Wolf were built, each with their own unique roles to fill. Among them are the Field Ambulance, Helicopter Support Platform, a lightweight version that can be air dropped, armored versions, and a number of winterized, waterproofed vehicles such as the one you see here.

The Land Rover Wolf has become a common sight in international locations where British troops are stationed including throughout the Middle East. Due to the smaller size of the Land Rover when compared to the American Humvee a small number of specially built Defenders were acquired by the US Department of Defense for use by special forces operatives.

The passenger compartment is relatively luxurious by military standards, this example even has under seat heating.

In Land Rover circles the Wolf is now considered highly collectible and they’re always a popular fixture at club meets and off-road trips. Given the skyrocketing popularity of the original Defender it’s likely only a matter of time before the wider four-wheel drive community discovers the Wolf, so it’ll be interesting to watch their values in the coming years.

The Land Rover Winter Water Wolf

The Land Rover Winter Water Wolf was developed for user in extreme climates and conditions, as mentioned above the vehicle can handle temperatures down to -46ºC or -51ºF, and it can be driven off of military landing craft into the water and then driven up onto the beach.

As fewer than 50 of this specific type of Wolf are thought to have been made it’s one of the rarer variants, and when it left MOD ownership in 2017 it had just 700 miles on the odometer. It was then given a thorough refresh by the specialists at Archimedes Engineering and it now has 3,400 miles on the clock.

Ex-military vehicles can be found in all manner of states, from rough and heavily abused to almost new. This example definitely falls into that latter category, in fact it’s one of the nicest looking examples of the Wolf we’ve seen come up for sale in recent memory.

This vehicle is currently being offered by Car & Classic in the UK, bidding is live and you can click here if you’d like to read more about it or register to bid.

Images courtesy of Car & Classic

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1965 Ford Anglia Sportsman: The “Mini Ford Thunderbird”

The Ford Anglia is one of few 1960s-era classic cars that’s immediately recognizable to many millennial thanks to the model’s inclusion in the Harry Potter series of books, and its on-screen appearance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

This version of the Anglia, the 105E, is by far the most famous of the Anglia models which were first introduced by Ford UK in 1939. The car you see here is part of the fourth generation of Anglias, and in 1967 it would be succeeded by one of Ford UK’s most famous creations: the Ford Escort.

This generation of the Anglia is separated into two main versions, the 105E and the 123E fitted with 1.0 liter and 1.2 liter Kent engines respectively. Some have called this car the “Mini Ford Thunderbird” due to its styling, and today it remains one of the most affordable British classics of the era.

Fast Facts – The Ford Anglia 105E

• When the 105E version of the Anglia was introduced in 1959 it represented a design shift from the more staid Ford UK designs to a new look that was heavily influenced by Fords in the USA – particularly the Ford Thunderbird and the Lincoln Continental.
• The 1950s were a time when American cars celebrated the Jet Age with fins, chrome adornments, and flashy styling. The Anglia is a good example of the British take on Jet Age design.
• The 105E Anglia was powered by a new engine, the Ford Kent with a displacement of 997cc, and the more powerful 123E version was fitted with a more powerful 1,198cc version of the same inline-four.
• With unibody construction, seating for four (five in a pinch), the reliable Kent engine, and flashy styling (by the standards of the era), the Ford Anglia sold in significant numbers, over 1,000,000 were made.

Ford Anglia Sportsman – History

When Ford’s design team began work on the Anglia, the key idea was to produce a small, light car – weighing less than 800 kg – for the British market with features derived from American luxury models.

In stark contrast to the rounded lines of its 1953 namesake, the 100E, the Anglia 105E/106E appeared in 1959 with a very wide grille incorporating indicators (deLuxe version), prominent round headlamps, prominent rear wings – albeit less imposing than on the larger Atlantic saloons – and an inverted rear window.

The Ford Anglia has been called the “Mini Thunderbird” due to its classic 1950s-era Ford styling cues.

The latter was reminiscent of the design of the Balboa X prototype unveiled by Packard in 1953. Ford used this design for the Mercury D528 (1955) and the Lincoln Continental (1958). Later, the Ford Consul and also, among others, the Citroën Ami 6 with its legendary Z-shape, were based on this concept. The Anglia is equipped with a 997cc super-square, inline four-cylinder engine with 37.5 bhp at 5,000 rpm, which was used as the basis for some sports and competition cars.

The made-in-the-USA styling of the time is even more evident on the Sportsman deLuxe version of the Anglia, which was built in Ford’s Antwerp factory for Belgian customers. The spare wheel was mounted on the outside of the rear bumper in a style not dissimilar to the 1956 Ford Thunderbird, allowing al of the trunk space to be used for luggage.

The proposed example is in this version. It was seen in the TV show “Des Racines et des Ailes” on France 3 and took part in the Route Nationale 7 Historique Rally in Brittany in 2016. It was also awarded first prize at the Concours d’Elegance in Charleroi in 2019. Put on the road in 1965, this Anglia is located in Belgium, where the collector’s registration certificate is issued in the name of the seller.

The seller acquired the car in November 2013 and is the third owner. The odometer shows 53,000 km, which the seller says is reliable and has been driven about 10,000 km. A full record of work carried out since 2013 and the manufacturer’s manuals are provided. The vehicle has been parked in a closed garage, has not undergone a technical inspection and is neither pledged nor covered by a warranty.

If you’d like to read more about this unusual Ford Anglia Sportsman you can click here to visit the listing on leBolide, bidding is underway now.

The rear fins and inwardly angled rear window are all classic design touches from the era – the rear window was apparently designed like this to keep it clear of rain.

Exterior

The red and white colours are original but some paintwork has been carried out. Since the purchase of the car in 2013, the bodywork has not been serviced. The seller reports no corrosion or damage, apart from a small scratch on the edge of the right front wing. A square fog lamp has been installed at the left rear to bring the car into compliance with Belgian legislation. The 13-inch wheels are original, as are the wheel covers.

The chromed fake spokes visible in some pictures are currently not fitted but are supplied. The tyres are Vredestein 155/60 R13 with white thermoformed sidewalls, the remaining profile of which is about 80%. An identical spare wheel with a new tyre is fitted in the boot (the original model did not have one) and is in addition to the one on the outside, which has a different tyre, but also new and original.

The interior is 100% analogue, with a large steering wheel, a floor mounted gear lever, and of course, three pedals.

Interior

The interior is also original with red leatherette upholstery and trim, the dominant colour in the cabin. The seats, which have a patina consistent with the age of the vehicle, had minor imperfections which have been remedied. The Spartan dashboard includes all the instruments and controls of the time in working order. A fire extinguisher is located under the dashboard.

Mechanical

The engine – matching number – and the four-speed manual gearbox are original and did not require any intervention other than regular maintenance (fluids, filters, platinum screws, capacitor, etc).

However, in anticipation of long journeys, some parts have been replaced: the dynamo (including brushes and bearings), the front and rear shock absorbers, the complete exhaust (in stainless steel), the radiator, the tank, the hoses, the water pump, the brake and clutch master cylinder, the Delco head and the spark plug cables.

In addition, the brake drums have been rectified. The most recent service was in 2021 and involved the annual oil change, lubrication and ignition.

If you’d like to read more about this unusual Ford Anglia Sportsman you can click here to visit the listing on leBolide, bidding is underway now.

Images and some text provided by leBolide – Images copyright ©2021 Daniel Denis

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The Honda T500: A Mid-Engined Truck With A 9,000 RPM Redline

When Honda debuted the T360 mini-truck in June of 1963 it became the company’s first ever production automobile, beating the Honda S500 Sports by four months. The T360 was powered by a mid-mounted, double overhead cam engine with a 9,000 rpm redline – an unusual specification for a work vehicle.

The Honda T500 was the more powerful version of the T360 that was intended for export markets, it was powered by the larger 531cc inline-four cylinder engine and was capable of 38 hp with a top speed of 65 mph.

Fast Facts – The Honda T500

• The Honda T360 mini-truck had been developed specifically to take advantage of Japan’s Kei class regulations, allowing smaller and less powerful vehicles significant tax breaks.
• The Honda T500 was developed for export markets and as such, it didn’t need to abide by Kei class rules. As a result, it’s fitted with a slightly detuned version of the engine used in the Honda S500 sports car.
• Honda had been building production motorcycles since 1949 and the engine in the T500 reflected this, it’s an advanced DOHC inline-four with a 9,000 rpm redline.
• The Honda T500 offers seating for two in its small cab, it has a 400 kg (882 lb) load capacity, and the engine is accessed by lifting up a bench inside the passenger compartment.

Humble Beginnings: The Honda T360 + T500

When Honda debuted the T360 in 1963 the world outside of Japan took very little notice. It was a small, lightweight truck designed to meet Japanese Kei car regulations, which limited engine power and offered appealing tax breaks.

The diminutively-sized truck was ideal for use in Japan, and it offered excellent fuel economy.

Between 1963 and 1967 Honda would sell over 108,000 examples of the T360, all painted in the same shade of blue, and thanks to its engine that was shared with the Honda S360 sports car it became known as a “sports truck.”

Honda’s main source of income was small-capacity motorcycle sales to export markets, and so it makes sense that they would create a version of their new truck for export markets. Without needing to meet Kei car regulations they were free to use a more powerful engine, an important addition as many overseas markets would require higher speeds.

As with its smaller-engined forebear, the Honda T500 is fitted with a DOHC inline-four cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission with power transmitted to the rear wheels. The mid-mounted engine is installed at an almost 90º angle and it’s accessed by lifting the bench seat in the cab.

When ordering your new Honda T500 you could choose between a conventional pickup body or the folding side flatbed for easy loading and unloading. Interestingly there was also a snow crawler version of the T360 offered, with tracks on the rear axle rather than wheels, however very few are thought to have been sold.

Honda entered Formula 1 in 1964 with the Honda RA271, they had first entered the world of international motorcycle racing at the Isle of Man TT in 1959, and by 1961 Mike Hailwood was claiming Grand Prix victories in the 125cc and 250cc classes.

As a result of this, motorsport fans around the world were already very familiar with the Honda name by the time the Honda T500 began appearing in limited numbers in showrooms.

The engine and gearbox are mounted low in the mid-position for the best possible weight distribution.Over the course of the 1964 to 1967 production run of the Honda T500 just over 10,000 would be built, far fewer than the T360, making the T500 highly desirable to modern collectors.

The Restored Honda T500 Shown Here

The Honda T500 you see here is a restored example currently residing in Europe. This is an original European-delivered truck, imported by Honda Benelux in the 1960s.

It now benefits from a restoration back to original condition that was completed a few years ago, with a small amount of patina beginning to show now.

This Honda T500 is now for sale through the Bonhams Marketplace, if you’d like to read more about it or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing.

Images courtesy of TVP Classics

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