Vehicle Description
A-C-D Certified Category 1. Serial number 1222H, Engine FB250, Unit
1267, Body C91 563. High-quality restoration in beautiful colors.
Richardson axles and CV joints. Runs and shifts properly. A
stunning Cord phaeton ready to show or tour.Gordon Buehrig's
stunning Cord 810/812 is easily the most ground-breaking car of the
1930s. Cords were always mechanically innovative, featuring
front-wheel-drive and hydraulic brakes from their inception, but
when wrapped in the most dramatic bodywork of the era they because
something else entirely. Imagine seeing this car on the road in
1936 when everyone else was still driving what amounted to boxes on
wheels. It must have been like a spaceship landing! And among the
multiple Cord body styles, one of the most desirable and dramatic
was the phaeton-a 4-seat convertible that embodies the sporting,
advanced thinking that E.L. Cord believed would save his empire. It
didn't, of course, but there's no denying that this 1937 Cord 812
phaeton is absolutely stunning from every angle. Thanks to a
relatively recent restoration, this lovely 812 presents extremely
well. The bright yellow finish is just right for a high-performance
convertible and the contrasting black canvas convertible top is the
right choice. All the familiar Cord styling cues are there,
including the folding headlights and wrap-around grille, but it's
the little things that always catch my eye. Look at the pointed
rear tips of the fenders, the unique front cover that hides the
transmission-it's shaped to follow the contours of the machinery
underneath-and the bumpers with three simple bars in the center to
add some interest. The car is a master class from a brilliant
stylist on how to get things exactly right. Panel fit on Cords is
always iffy, but this one is better than most, with doors that
swing closed easily and the gaps are quite good all around. There
isn't much chrome, but whatever is on the car was restored to a
high standard, adding small touches of jewelry to a car that
doesn't need ornamentation to stand out. The dark green leather
interior is a wonderful choice with the yellow bodywork and the
interior appointments are no less ground-breaking than the
exterior. Bucket seats are firm and comfortable for front seat
passengers and car individually adjustable so everyone can get
comfortable. The driving position is quite modern thanks to the low
floor, and that might just be the most beautiful instrument panel
of the 1930s. Inspired by aircraft, the engine-turned panel houses
a full array of gauges, including a tachometer, as well as levers
for the choke, throttle, and lights. This car includes a factory AM
radio over on the far right of the panel, although it is sadly not
operational. And, of course, the car's most significant feature is
that pre-selector transmission control stalk on the right of the
steering column. It's easy to master once you understand its
operation and this one shifts into all four gears plus reverse
without any hesitation. Small cranks at the outer edges of the
instrument panel open the headlight doors, and the wide
suicide-style doors allow easy entry and exit. The back seat is big
enough for grown adults and the top remains in excellent condition
(we did not put the top down for photos as it is a bit of a
challenging process and we did not want to risk any damage). The
trunk is modestly-sized but includes a matching spare tire and
enough room for a few weekend bags.Cord's 288 cubic inch V8 was
rated at a rather stout 125 horsepower in naturally aspirated form,
and it provides sparkling performance out on the road. It always
feels nimble and energetic, and thanks to the innovative
transmission (more on that in a moment) it will cruise easily at
modern highway speeds. This one takes a little time to start when
it's cold (the addition of an electric fuel pump would surely cure
this issue) but it idles nicely even when cold and pulls the
gorgeous phaeton around with enthusiasm. It is correctly detailed
under the hood, offering proper finishes, correct wiring, and
factory-style hardware throughout. There are a few very minor signs
of use, but it remains very crisp and the driving manners suggest
that the time was invested in getting it to run properly. The
innovative pre-selector 4-speed transmission is what made this Cord
possible, and once properly set-up, they provide effortless
motoring that's unlike anything else. Depress the clutch to fire
the engine, and then move the selector into first gear. Release the
clutch as you accelerate like with any other manual transmission
car. Then move the selector to 2 gear-it will not shift until you
depress the clutch again. Repeat for the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts and for
any downshifts. The mechanical symphony of relays, vacuum
actuators, synchros, and solenoids is really rather remarkable for
the period and this one is properly sorted so it works as it
should. It's also worth noting that this car carries upgraded
Richardson drive axles and CV joints for improved reliability. The
chassis shows a few signs of use, but nothing that couldn't be
wiped away with a weekend of detailing, and there is no evidence of
previous damage or rot. The original floors are excellent, the
rockers are solid, and all the structural members are in great
shape (this was among the first unit-bodied cars, so all that stuff
really matters). The three-prong apparatus near the exhaust is the
radio antenna, and the car uses an Optima battery to reliably fire
the engine. The exhaust has just the right V8 burble to suggest
power and performance and the brakes are surprisingly powerful for
manual drums. Chrome wheels feature holes that were added to help
cool the brakes but had the side-effect of also looking great, and
they carry correct 6.50-16 Firestone wide whitewall
tires.Documentation includes Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club
Certification documents that verify this as a correct 812 phaeton
with its original engine and body. It also includes manuals, wiring
diagrams, technical articles, receipts, and extensive notes from
previous owners on repairs and restoration work done in the past.
Cords are a special breed and do require a special owner to keep
them in peak condition. In exchange, the driver is rewarded with
one of the best driving experiences of the pre-war era and a car
that feels quite modern in every way. Dramatic styling, a top that
goes down, and enough room for passengers and gear makes this
phaeton an outstanding candidate for tours and the quality of the
restoration holds up under scrutiny. A fantastic Cord that's ready
to drive and enjoy right away. Call now!Harwood Motors always
recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any
vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
