The 1930 Auburn 8-95 Phaeton Sedan exemplified American luxury during the pre-Depression era. Its Lycoming straight-eight engine produced 100 horsepower, enabling speeds up to 100 mph.
The exterior featured elegant styling with sweeping fenders and chrome accents, while the interior showcased Spanish leather upholstery and polished wood trim. Billed as “America’s Smartest Car”, this blend of performance, luxury, and accessibility marked the beginning of Auburn’s most innovative chapter.
Only 554 Auburn 8-95 Phaeton Sedans were built in 1930. This is one of six still known to exist today, and the only one that is 100% original and unrestored.
This Auburn was originally found stored in an Illinois barn in 1979, where it had been sitting since 1952. It remained untouched until 2005, when it was purchased by the current owner, who restored it to the road.
This 90-year-old Auburn is powered by a 100 hp Lycoming Straight Eight 247 ci engine and a 3-speed manual transmission. It runs great today
Historical Significance of the Auburn 8-95
Innovation and determination defined the Auburn 8-95’s historical significance in American automotive development. Born from a carriage-making heritage, Auburn positioned itself at the forefront of luxury by 1930, with the 8-95 exemplifying this ambitious transformation.
Under E.L. Cord’s visionary leadership, the company evolved from modest beginnings into a prestigious manufacturer. The vehicle’s mechanical drum brakes represented the best available stopping technology of the era.
The 8-95 emerged during a pivotal period, bridging the extravagant Roaring Twenties and the sobering Great Depression. As part of the legendary Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg trio, it helped establish new standards for American luxury vehicles.
The model’s distinctive design language and engineering excellence influenced automotive aesthetics for generations, while its blend of performance and refinement created a template for grand touring vehicles.
Even today, the 8-95 stands as a symbol of Auburn’s golden age of innovation.
Design Elements and Exterior Styling
While many luxury cars of the 1930s embraced opulence, the Auburn 8-95 Phaeton Sedan‘s exterior design achieved a masterful balance of elegance and sporting character. Its long hood and sweeping fenders created a sense of motion, while the imposing chrome radiator grille served as a striking focal point.
The Phaeton body style featured an innovative convertible top that could be lowered even with doors closed.
Alan Leamy’s design influence merged Jazz Age glamour with practical refinements. The genuine Spanish leather upholstery complemented the exterior color schemes perfectly. The car’s distinctive color combinations, including rich greens and deep reds, were often paired with black fenders in sophisticated two-tone schemes.
Chrome-plated details adorned the door hinges and light rims, while stainless steel wire wheels and period-correct Michelin blackwall tires completed the refined aesthetic.
Engine Performance and Technical Specifications
Beneath the Auburn 8-95‘s elegant exterior lay an engineering marvel – the Lycoming-sourced straight-eight engine. This water-cooled powerplant delivered up to 100 horsepower from its 246-cubic-inch (4.0L) displacement, propelling the stately sedan to speeds of 100 mph. The engine featured a 2.9-inch bore and 4.8-inch stroke, breathing through a single-barrel carburetor.
The total Auburn production of 12,985 units in 1930 demonstrated strong market demand for these powerful machines. Technical sophistication extended throughout the chassis, where a Bijur centralized lubrication system enhanced durability and maintenance.
The 8-95’s substantial weight of 3,500 to 3,960 pounds was managed by a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Mounted on a 125-inch wheelbase, this powertrain package offered impressive performance for its price segment, demonstrating Auburn’s commitment to engineering excellence under the leadership of E.L. Cord.
Luxury Features and Interior Comfort
As drivers stepped into the Auburn 8-95 Phaeton Sedan, they encountered an interior that exemplified 1930s luxury craftsmanship. Genuine Spanish leather upholstery, carefully matched to exterior colors, wrapped the seats in supple comfort. Polished wood accents complemented the fine materials throughout the opulent cabin.
The Phaeton Sedan offered innovative features for its era, including adjustable windows that could remain raised even with the top down, providing protection from unfavorable weather. Automotive enthusiasts can view this classic model at the upcoming EyesOn Design exhibition.
Custom touches allowed buyers to select their preferred color schemes and interior finishes while maintaining the vehicle’s inherent sporting character. The harmonious blend of luxury materials and thoughtful design elements created an environment that satisfied both comfort-seeking passengers and enthusiast drivers, setting new standards for grand touring automobiles of the period.
Driving Experience and Road Handling
When engineers designed the Auburn 8-95 Phaeton Sedan, they created a driving experience that balanced power with poise. The 246 cubic-inch Lycoming straight-eight engine delivered up to 125 horsepower, providing brisk acceleration and confident cruising ability.
Through corners, the car’s semi-elliptical leaf springs and long wheelbase worked together to maintain stability while absorbing road imperfections. The art deco influence was evident in the sweeping lines of the exterior, which complemented its dynamic character.
The mechanical steering offered direct road feel, although it demanded more effort in tight turns. Drivers appreciated the large steering wheel, which provided necessary leverage for low-speed maneuvers.
On various surfaces, from paved roads to gravel paths, the Auburn demonstrated composed handling characteristics. The hydraulic Lockheed brakes, advanced for their time, guaranteed reliable stopping power when needed, while the chassis tuning struck an effective compromise between comfort and control.
Market Impact During the Great Depression
The economic turmoil of the Great Depression struck Auburn’s luxury car market with devastating force. The company responded by aggressively adjusting prices, reflecting this delicate balance between affordability and luxury.
To weather the financial storm, Auburn also made strategic compromises. They streamlined their engine offerings, replaced costly hydraulic brakes with mechanical alternatives, and minimized changes from successful 1929 designs.
Their marketing emphasized “America’s Smartest Car,” promoting intelligent value alongside sophistication. Despite these efforts to adapt, Auburn’s sales declined sharply as consumers gravitated toward more modest transportation options.
The Depression’s prolonged impact eventually proved insurmountable, contributing to Auburn’s closure in 1937.
Engineering Innovations and Mechanical Details
Behind Auburn’s elegant exterior lay impressive mechanical innovations. The front-mounted inline 8-cylinder engine produced up to 100 horsepower, while its 4.0-liter displacement delivered smooth, reliable power through a 3-speed manual transmission.
Engineers equipped the chassis with an X-braced heavy frame, providing exceptional rigidity for its era. The vehicle’s mechanical sophistication extended to its cooling system and ignition components. A water-cooled design maintained peak engine temperatures, while the distributor and coil ignition system guaranteed dependable spark delivery.
Advanced features like the dual-ratio rear axle and free-wheeling capability on custom models enhanced both performance and drivability. The entire package rested on a stable 125-inch wheelbase, with mechanical drum brakes at all corners providing necessary stopping power for the 3,500-pound luxury automobile.
Legacy in American Automotive History
The Auburn 8-95 Phaeton Sedan stands as a pivotal milestone in American automotive history, bridging the gap between custom-built luxury and accessible elegance.
Auburn challenged the notion that true luxury required astronomical prices, offering sophisticated engineering and premium features at a more attainable cost.
The model’s influence extended well beyond its production years. Its blend of performance and refinement established a template that American manufacturers would follow for decades.
The 8-95’s innovative features, including hydraulic brakes and its unique convertible top design, demonstrated Auburn’s commitment to practical advancement. As the last model before Auburn’s shift toward front-wheel-drive vehicles, the 8-95 marked the end of an era while pointing toward the future of automotive design and engineering.
Concluding Thoughts
The 1930 Auburn 8-95 Phaeton Sedan stands as a tribute to American automotive excellence during the Art Deco era.
With its powerful straight-eight engine, luxurious appointments, and striking design elements, this vehicle represented the pinnacle of pre-Depression craftsmanship.
Though rare today, surviving examples continue to command respect among collectors and historians, serving as rolling proof of Auburn’s commitment to engineering innovation and sophisticated styling during the golden age of motoring.
