Auburn 851 Boat-tail Speedster (1935) - Rebrick of FIAT 10271
The Auburn Speedster was an American car, manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company of Auburn, Indiana. The Auburn 851 Speedster of 1935 was styled by designer Gordon Buehrig, who also was responsible for the Cord Model 810.
This vehicle which would be the final production model of the manufacturer was introduced in 1931 with masterly bodywork by Gordon Buehrig that was ingeniously constructed and cost-effectively built. Its bespoke flat-head eight was powerful, reliable and of a strong and solid design. The sweeping body lines concealed some innovative and advanced technical features such as the Columbia dual-ratio rear axle that was achieved by interposing an epicyclic gear train between the axle and the crown wheel. When it was engaged, the final drive ratio became a "fast" 4.5:1. It was disengaged by moving a steering-wheel mounted lever and dipping the clutch, whereupon the ratio became a more leisurely 3:1. The three-speed synchromesh gearbox along with that dual ratio axle gave a six-speed transmission. The final year of production was 1937 as Auburn ceased car production altogether in 1937.
The Speedster's iconic "boattail" design would be replicated on cars from later decades, with the two most notable examples being the 1963–1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the 1971–1973 Buick Riviera.
I was asked to create this car by one of my loyal followers on Instagram. The request was originally for black bodywork and green contrasting trim. The pale-yellow here, however, is one of the commonly seen colour schemes on the 851 Speedster, and it looked like it might be possible to build one from the LEGO Creator FIAT 500 (set 10271). It took me a while to get my hands on one (or two) during Melbourne's COVID lockdown, and then a bit of time to put one together.
The model does not feature my usual engine and suspension systems, but is a solid build from the original parts. My favourite aspect, perhaps, has been the ability to execute a softtop from the original FIAT fabric roof.
Ultimately, I plan to provide instructions on Rebrickable for this model.
Being October, which had always been the LUGNuts anniversary month, this 1935 Auburn 851 Boat-tail Speedster has been built to the 11th challenge theme 'Colour me STrange'.
Auburn 851 Boat-tail Speedster (1935) - Rebrick of FIAT 10271
The Auburn Speedster was an American car, manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company of Auburn, Indiana. The Auburn 851 Speedster of 1935 was styled by designer Gordon Buehrig, who also was responsible for the Cord Model 810.
This vehicle which would be the final production model of the manufacturer was introduced in 1931 with masterly bodywork by Gordon Buehrig that was ingeniously constructed and cost-effectively built. Its bespoke flat-head eight was powerful, reliable and of a strong and solid design. The sweeping body lines concealed some innovative and advanced technical features such as the Columbia dual-ratio rear axle that was achieved by interposing an epicyclic gear train between the axle and the crown wheel. When it was engaged, the final drive ratio became a "fast" 4.5:1. It was disengaged by moving a steering-wheel mounted lever and dipping the clutch, whereupon the ratio became a more leisurely 3:1. The three-speed synchromesh gearbox along with that dual ratio axle gave a six-speed transmission. The final year of production was 1937 as Auburn ceased car production altogether in 1937.
The Speedster's iconic "boattail" design would be replicated on cars from later decades, with the two most notable examples being the 1963–1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the 1971–1973 Buick Riviera.
I was asked to create this car by one of my loyal followers on Instagram. The request was originally for black bodywork and green contrasting trim. The pale-yellow here, however, is one of the commonly seen colour schemes on the 851 Speedster, and it looked like it might be possible to build one from the LEGO Creator FIAT 500 (set 10271). It took me a while to get my hands on one (or two) during Melbourne's COVID lockdown, and then a bit of time to put one together.
The model does not feature my usual engine and suspension systems, but is a solid build from the original parts. My favourite aspect, perhaps, has been the ability to execute a softtop from the original FIAT fabric roof.
Ultimately, I plan to provide instructions on Rebrickable for this model.
Being October, which had always been the LUGNuts anniversary month, this 1935 Auburn 851 Boat-tail Speedster has been built to the 11th challenge theme 'Colour me STrange'.