Marque
Search a car…
United States market

Auburn 851/852 Speedster

1935–1937

Add to Garage
  • 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

Auburn 851/852 Speedster

Based on 8 verified auction results

SELLDepreciatingmedium confidence

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%)
No damage or salvage declarations found in the titles and descriptions of the auction lots we track for this model. That's a good sign, not a guarantee — always commission a professional inspection and history check before buying.

Est. Annual Ownership Costs

  • Insurance (agreed value)US$600
  • MaintenanceUS$2,010
  • StorageUS$3,220
  • Depreciation— (appreciating)
  • Total annual costUS$5,830
This car has historically appreciated — carrying cost is offset by value growth, not eroded by depreciation.

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 8
  • US$106,000

    Bring a Trailer · 3 Jul 2026

  • US$77,000

    Bring a Trailer · 19 May 2026

  • US$79,200

    mecum · 11 Apr 2026

  • US$82,500

    mecum · 18 Jan 2026

  • US$79,200

    mecum · 21 Sept 2025

  • US$99,000

    mecum · 17 May 2025

  • US$137,500

    mecum · 19 Jan 2025

  • US$687,500

    mecum · 15 Jan 2023

Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.