Exploring the 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton: Timeless Style

The 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton represents one of the most elegant expressions of prewar American luxury motoring, blending graceful open-air design, advanced engineering, and refined craftsmanship. Produced during a time when automobiles were not merely transportation but symbols of prestige, freedom, and innovation, the Auburn 852 Phaeton stood out as a sophisticated touring car for discerning buyers who valued both performance and style.

While Auburn is often celebrated for its dramatic Boattail Speedsters, the 852 Phaeton deserves equal recognition for its classic proportions, four-passenger versatility, and timeless elegance. This article explores the history, design, engineering, cultural importance, and lasting legacy of the 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton.

Auburn Automobile Company: A Tradition of Style and Innovation

The Auburn Automobile Company, founded in 1900 in Auburn, Indiana, rose to prominence as part of the legendary Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg (ACD) automotive group. Under visionary leadership in the 1920s and 1930s, Auburn became known for producing vehicles that combined bold styling, strong performance, and attainable luxury.

By the mid-1930s, Auburn had perfected its design language—long hoods, sweeping fenders, and elegant proportions—while also incorporating advanced engineering, such as straight-eight engines and optional supercharging. The 852 series, introduced in 1935 and refined for 1936, embodied Auburn’s final and most refined offerings before the company ceased production.

Introduction to the 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton

The 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton was designed as a luxurious open touring car, offering space, comfort, and style for four passengers. Unlike the sporty Speedster variants, the Phaeton emphasized elegant travel and social motoring, making it ideal for long scenic drives, formal events, and high-society appearances.

Key highlights of the Auburn 852 Phaeton include:

Straight-eight engine delivering smooth, confident performance
Four-door open-top body style, ideal for touring
Flowing fenders and long hood, characteristic of Auburn design
High-quality interior materials and refined detailing
Balance of luxury, performance, and practicality

The 852 Phaeton was a car meant to be seen and experienced, offering both presence and comfort.

Phaeton Body Style: A Symbol of Prestige

In the 1930s, the phaeton body style was associated with wealth, leisure, and sophistication. Typically featuring four doors, no fixed roof, and a folding soft top, phaetons were favored by affluent buyers who enjoyed open-air motoring.

The Auburn 852 Phaeton followed this tradition, offering:

A fully retractable fabric roof
Side curtains instead of fixed windows
Spacious seating for four adults
Elegant proportions emphasizing length and balance

This configuration made the 852 Phaeton ideal for parades, resort towns, country drives, and social events, where visibility and style mattered as much as performance.

Exterior Design and Styling

The exterior of the 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton reflects the art deco influence of the era, blending graceful curves with confident, streamlined proportions.

Front Design

Tall, chrome-finished Auburn grille with vertical slats
Sweeping front fenders integrated with headlamps
Long hood with decorative louvers for ventilation and style
Graceful hood ornament emphasizing forward motion

The front end conveyed authority and elegance, instantly recognizable as an Auburn.

Side Profile

Flowing fenders extending smoothly along the body
Four full-size doors providing easy access for passengers
Running boards enhancing practicality and visual balance
Optional dual side-mounted spare tires

The side view showcased the length and refinement expected of a luxury touring car.

Rear Design

Rounded rear deck maintaining visual harmony
Integrated rear fenders and subtle chrome detailing
Clean, uncluttered lines emphasizing elegance over sportiness

The overall silhouette of the 852 Phaeton was dignified, balanced, and timeless.

Interior Craftsmanship and Comfort

Inside, the 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton offered a luxurious and inviting cabin, designed to provide comfort for extended journeys.

Interior features included:

High-quality leather upholstery
Plush seating with generous legroom
Wood-trimmed dashboard with polished accents
Art deco-inspired gauges and controls
Thick carpeting and refined interior trim

The interior reflected Auburn’s philosophy of combining style with usability, ensuring both driver and passengers enjoyed a refined experience.

Engineering and Performance

Under the hood, the Auburn 852 Phaeton featured Auburn’s well-regarded straight-eight engine, known for its smoothness and reliability.

Engine Specifications

Type: 4.6-liter Lycoming straight-eight
Power output: Approximately 120–150 horsepower, depending on configuration
Optional supercharged variants available in the 852 lineup
Smooth power delivery ideal for touring

Drivetrain and Chassis

Rear-wheel drive layout
Three-speed manual transmission
Sturdy ladder-frame chassis
Semi-elliptical leaf springs for ride comfort
Four-wheel mechanical brakes

While not intended as a high-performance sports car, the 852 Phaeton delivered confident cruising ability, easily handling highways and long-distance travel.

Driving Experience

Driving a 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton is a distinctly graceful and immersive experience:

Smooth acceleration from the straight-eight engine
Comfortable ride quality suited for touring
Open-air motoring enhances connection with surroundings
Commanding driving position with excellent road visibility

The car rewards relaxed driving, encouraging owners to enjoy the journey rather than rush the destination.

Role in 1930s American Society

The Auburn 852 Phaeton was more than a car—it was a status symbol. During the 1930s, phaetons were often owned by:

Business leaders and industrialists
High-society families
Hotel magnates and resort owners
Politicians and public figures

Its presence at events conveyed taste, refinement, and success, reinforcing Auburn’s reputation as a maker of aspirational automobiles.

Comparison with Contemporary Rivals

The Auburn 852 Phaeton competed with other luxury touring cars of the era, including:

Packard Eight Phaeton – Conservative luxury with exceptional refinement
Cadillac Series 60 and 70 Phaetons – Comfort-focused prestige vehicles
Buick Roadmaster Phaeton – Strong performance with traditional styling

The Auburn distinguished itself through bolder styling, sportier proportions, and strong visual presence, appealing to buyers who wanted something more expressive.

Collectibility and Market Value

Today, the 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton is considered a highly desirable prewar classic, though less common than sedans and more practical than Speedsters.

Surviving examples are rare but attainable compared to Boattail Speedsters
Well-restored cars command strong prices at auctions
Originality, documentation, and restoration quality significantly affect value

Collectors appreciate the Phaeton for its combination of rarity, elegance, and usability.

Restoration and Preservation

Restoring an Auburn 852 Phaeton requires specialized knowledge and craftsmanship:

Rebuilding straight-eight engines
Restoring leather upholstery and wood trim
Fabricating period-correct soft tops and side curtains
Chrome and paint restoration to original specifications

Well-restored examples are frequently showcased at concours d’elegance and classic car events.

Legacy of the Auburn 852 Phaeton

The legacy of the 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton lies in its role as:

A symbol of prewar American touring luxury
A showcase of Auburn’s refined design philosophy
A reminder of an era when automobiles emphasized beauty and presence
A lasting example of open-air elegance

Even after Auburn’s closure, the 852 Phaeton continues to represent the final flowering of the brand’s creativity.

Modern Appreciation

Today’s collectors and enthusiasts admire the Auburn 852 Phaeton for:

Its timeless design and proportions
The charm of open-top touring
Historical importance within the ACD legacy
Suitability for vintage rallies and shows

The car bridges the gap between luxury, nostalgia, and drivability, making it a favorite among prewar enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton stands as a refined and dignified expression of prewar American automotive excellence. With its elegant open-air body style, smooth straight-eight engine, luxurious interior, and commanding presence, it captured the spirit of an era defined by optimism, craftsmanship, and style.

While often overshadowed by Auburn’s dramatic Speedsters, the 852 Phaeton remains a true classic, offering comfort, beauty, and historical significance in equal measure. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, it represents the art of elegant motoring at its finest, ensuring its place among the most admired American automobiles of the 1930s.

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