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Cruising in a 1935 Auburn Series 851 supercharged Speedster Cabriolet

3/30/2016

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By Brett Hickman

​Auburn Automobile manufactured cars from 1900-36 in Auburn, Ind. At its peak in 1931 it was the 13th largest automobile company in the United States. 

Its 1935 Auburn 8 supercharged Cabriolet is one of the most desired cars of the classic era. It originally cost $1,675, which was expensive. Today, a fully restored original one can go for as much as $220,000. 

And while the engineering and styling of the cars were second-to-none, their pricey cost during the Depression proved too much. Sales slipped steadily in the mid-1930s, falling to 6,316 vehicles in 1935 and only 1,263 in 1936, the final year of production. 

Tom Metzler, whose hobby store was a fixture in Southport for more than 35 years, is a proud owner of a 1935 Auburn Series 851 Speedster Cabriolet. His is as immaculate today (perhaps more so) as when it rolled off the assembly line. 

Tom bought his from a man in Hershey, Pa., about 15 years ago. That man had bought it in bad condition, and he spent a number of years having it restored by a body shop in Cincinnati. He eventually became overwhelmed and burned out on the car as it neared completion. 

Tom finished the restoration with such things as a new convertible top, rear spare tire cover, upholstery and pinstriping. The car has been restored to its factory condition, with work going so far as the original wood frame. 

The car has a rebuilt Lycoming L-head straight-eight engine, which displaces 298 cubic inches and produces 150 horsepower, six times the power of the Ford Model A of the day. The car has a manual transmission but – unlike most cars of the day – it had a Columbia dual-ratio rear axle. 

When the clutch pedal was depressed and a button on the steering wheel engaged, the car went from a three-speed to a six-speed. While most cars could only achieve speeds of 30 to 40 mph, the Auburn 851 could easily reach 65 to 70 mph and sustain it over long distances.

While you might see Tom and his car at The Suds in Greenwood or at The Southsider Voice’s cruise-ins, he rarely displays it at classic car shows. 
​
Tom said he prefers to drive his car as it was originally meant, so it’s probable that you’ll see him cruising down the road in it during the summer.
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​Cruising in a 1972 Pantera

3/23/2016

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PictureProud owner: Jack Rans
​By Bill Thorpe

The 1971-74 De Tomaso Panteras combined exotic Italian sports car styling with American muscle, namely, the famous Ford 351, four-barrel Cleveland engine, which produced 335 horsepower and was capable of 150 mph off the showroom floor. 

Power came from the tail end production engines of the highly successful Boss Mustang era. Engines and drive trains were shipped to Modena, Italy, for final assembly, and this completed the joint business venture that brought a low-cost mid-engine 3,100-pound sports car to the American consumer. They were sold through the Lincoln-Mercury dealerships from the Ford family.

Jack Rans fell in love with the Pantera as an 18-year-old and eventually got to ride in one. However, income, marriage, career and family came first for many years until he was finally able to pursue his dream car, a 1972 Pantera, which needed many repairs and upgrades. 

A priority was adding a Samsung 134-R air conditioner and more efficient valve trains in the engine. He also added thinner head gaskets to help bring back compression ratios to stock settings. A specialized Barry Grant carburetor and his Speed Demon fuel system was added. Aftermarket headers and a custom fabricated exhaust system was needed for this Italian Pininfarina-designed car. Jack performed all the restoration and fabrication work. 

He waited one year for the custom wheels to be manufactured and delivered, bringing finality to his long labor of love. 

Jack and his wife, Pamela, can be found with one of their classic cars at shows and cruise-ins in central Indiana on summer weekends.
​
Until next time, happy cruising!

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