The 1933-34 Salon models are very unique in as the body, headlights, interior trim, wheels, frame, brakes, and bumpers are different from standard models. Salon models represented Auburns attempt to provide the market with an upscale Auburn.

Presented to Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium.

1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Brougham

The silent film star Tom Mix with his 1935 Super Charged 851 Auburn Speedster built in Union City . Mix loaned his car for a 1935 human-powered land speed record attempt by Frank Bartell, one of the most successful bike racers of the late 1920's and early 1930's. Along a blocked off street on the edge of Los Angeles, two motorcycle policemen led Tom Mix's Phaeton with a streamlined windscreen fastened to the rear. Inches behind Bartell on his 1929 Appehans single speed racing bicycle was being pulled in the partial vacuum wake of the Supercharged Phaeton. He briefly hit 100 mph before slowing down. The motorcycle escort topped out at 85. The official certified human - powered land speed record set that day covered a mile at the average speed of 80.5 miles per hour.

1935 model 851 Salon Phaeton Sedan, manufactured by the Union City Body Company, then shipped to Connersville, Indiana, where final assembly was accomplished. In all, the Connersville plant assembled 6,316 Auburns, which included 627 Phaetons of all trim levels. Today, the eight cylinder Auburns are among the cars recognized by the Classic Car Club of America as Full Classics. According to the research done by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club, fewer than 25 -  851 and 852 Phaetons are known to exist today.

851 PHAETON

1933 - 34 Salon Phaeton Models

Salons were available as eight and twelve cylinder cars in 1933 and 1934. The most identifiable features separating Salons from Custom and Standard Auburns are the Salon's more sweeping front fenders and shorter grille shell, and of course the  "Mustache Bumper" on the early models.

Salon Cabriolet from the 1930's film "The Mayor of Hell" with James Cagney at the wheel.

In 1924, a group of investors enlisted E.L. Cord to salvage the faltering Auburn Automobile Company. He took over the general manager position at no salary with the provision to acquire a controlling interest in the Company if his efforts were successful. Cord had the large stock of unsold cars repainted in bright attractive colors. Sales moved forward, and by 1926, Cord was president of the company.

Auburn Salons were not production line Automobiles and were hand built like a Duesenberg

Tom Mix loved Duesenbergs as well, here he is shown with a Sweep Panel Dual Cowl Phaeton.

The First Diesel Automobile. Clessie Cummins and his coast-coast Cummins Diesel powered Auburn Phaeton . For awhile E.L.Cord considered making the Cummins engine availible in Auburns, but by that time he was going out og business.

In 1929 E.L. Cord assembled a holdings company called The Cord Corporation. The holdings would eventually total 150 Companies including Auburn, Duesenberg, Central Manufacturing, Lycoming Engine, limousine Body, Union City Body Company, Columbia Axle and Checker Cab. In the 1930's he added Stinson Aircraft Company, Century Airlines, American Airways which later became American Airlines and New York Shipbuilding Corp.

1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Cabriolet

Babe Ruth with his 1926 8-88 Auburn Roadster

E.L. Cord