Auburn 851/852 Speedster
1935–1937
Lowest price
US$77,000
Since 2020
Median price
US$90,750
Since 2020 · n=8
Highest price
US$687,500
Since 2020
Sold cars
8
All time
Sell-through
100%
Of 8 lots
Based on 8 verified auction results
US$79,200
Market value · recent verified sales
-22.3%
12-month change
Wait or Sell
Prices declining. Sellers should consider acting; buyers should wait.
Median sold price down 22.3% over the last 12 months. Loss is likely to continue, especially for this segment.
MSRP
—
Collectibility
9/10
Holy Grail
3-Year Forecast
US$89,496
+13%
5-Year Forecast
US$93,099
+18%
Market scores
48
Desirability
Thin
30
Liquidity
Poor
10
Resale Outlook
Option premiums
What every option is worth.
Built ≤ 1935
+US$17,245+19%4 with · 3 without · low confidence
Manual gearbox
+US$13,234+15%4 with · 3 without · low confidence
Premiums compare the median price of sales with each option against comparable sales without it, mined from verified auction listings. Options interact in ways a one-at-a-time split can’t capture — treat each premium as directional rather than gospel.
Marque analyst note
The Auburn 851/852 Speedster market has retreated sharply over the past twelve months, with the median price falling to US$79,200—a 22.3% decline year-over-year that signals meaningful downward pressure despite the model's elite collectibility status.
Only five transactions have traded hands in the past year across a total tracked sample of eight sales, indicating genuinely thin liquidity where price discovery remains difficult and buyer-seller gaps can be substantial. The absence of active listings at present underscores how rarely these cars change hands in today's market.
The Auburn 851/852 represents Holy Grail territory in classic-car collecting, with a production run of just 600 units and strong historical recognition among serious enthusiasts. Desirability currently reads as moderate rather than explosive, suggesting that the current ownership base values these cars for their rarity and pedigree rather than as momentum-driven investments.
The twelve-month sell signal reflects both the sharp recent depreciation and the thin transactional base, though the confidence level remains medium given the small sample size. No meaningful mileage or condition data is available from recent sales, making it difficult to assess how maintenance or restoration state influences individual pricing.
Looking forward, the base projection calls for a recovery to US$89,496 over three years (13% gain) and US$93,099 over five years (17.5% gain), suggesting market stabilization rather than aggressive appreciation. These models appear positioned to recapture some lost ground as the ultra-rare classic segment regains footing, but prospective buyers should factor in the current depreciating trend and minimal liquidity before committing capital.
Depreciation Benchmark
- Current avg valueUS$79,200
- Annual appr. rate-22.3%/yr
- Segment average+3.0 to +9.5%/yr
Vehicle History Signals
- Auction lots tracked8
- Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
- No damage declared8 (100.0%)
Est. Annual Ownership Costs
- Insurance (agreed value)US$600
- MaintenanceUS$2,010
- StorageUS$3,220
- Depreciation— (appreciating)
- Total annual costUS$5,830
Market Liquidity
- Active Listings0
- Sales Last 12 Months5
- Sell-Through63%
Market Snapshot
- Active Listings0
- Avg Sale PriceUS$168,488
- Avg Mileage at Sale—
- Recent Price RangeUS$77,000 – US$687,500
- Total Sales Tracked8
Recent sales
Showing latest 8US$106,000
Bring a Trailer · 3 Jul 2026
Black
US$77,000
Bring a Trailer · 19 May 2026
cream · manual
US$79,200
mecum · 11 Apr 2026
Black/Silver · Automatic
US$82,500
mecum · 18 Jan 2026
Black · Manual
US$79,200
mecum · 21 Sept 2025
Burgundy · Automatic
US$99,000
mecum · 17 May 2025
Blue/Red · Manual
US$137,500
mecum · 19 Jan 2025
Blue · Automatic
US$687,500
mecum · 15 Jan 2023
Duck Egg Blue · Manual
Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.