To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 8 - 9
March 2019.
Estimate:
$180,000 - $250,000
- Factory-supercharged example with its original engine
- Former long-term California enthusiast ownership
- Award-winning older restoration in beautiful factory-correct
colors
- ACD Club Certified Category One (C-219)
The Duesenberg Model J had become available with a supercharger in
1932. Three years later, the eight-cylinder Auburn could also be
had with a blower. All that was left was to fit the engine to the
new Cord of 1936. A year later, as the 810 evolved into the 812
with production fully underway, the Auburn Automobile Company's
most flamboyant line received supercharged power as a popular $415
option on all models.
Lycoming began with the 810's stock V-8 engine, revising the design
with a modified firing order, lowered compression ratio, more
extreme camshaft grind, and a unique, larger Stromberg AA-25
carburetor. The engine exhaled through a functional chrome side
exhaust, an identifying mark of all supercharged Auburn products
that was believed to have been added to the Cord by stylist Alex
Tremulis, later of Tucker fame, and was engineered into being by
none other than August Duesenberg.
The supercharged Cord had a factory-quoted power output of 170 hp,
although Lycoming employees later recounted numbers as high as 195.
The factory sent two properly equipped Beverly Sedans to the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where, driven by Ab Jenkins and Billy
Winn, they recorded the highest average speed over a 24-hour period
ever achieved at the Brickyard�over 80 mph�and captured the famous
Stevens Trophy. That record would stand until 1954. Make no
mistake, these were fast cars, with power and flexibility that was
as much ahead of its time as the Cord's famous Gordon Buehrig
styling.
The four-passenger phaeton shown here is one of 688
factory-supercharged Cords built, and it retains its original "FC"
engine, as verified by both the 810/812 chassis listing in Josh B.
Malks' seminal work Cord Complete and its ACD Club Category One
certification. It was acquired in 1967 by the late Gary Dubnoff, an
enthusiast in northern California who had joined the Auburn Cord
Duesenberg Club and inquired as to purchasing a car in the Club's
newsletter. Soon after, he purchased this 812, and it remained a
favored possession for the remaining 46 years of his life.
The Cord was beautifully restored some years ago, with great
attention to authenticity and correctness throughout, including
proper fittings, finishes, and wiring under the hood. The body is
finished in Geneva Blue, a correct factory color, with the interior
a wonderful contrast in bright red leather in the proper pattern
and a tan canvas top overhead. Following the completion of the
restoration, the car was an award winner at the ACD Club's West
Coast Meet in 1987. It was regularly maintained for decades and has
continued to be well looked after in its present owner's
collection.
This car is being offered to a new, good home, where it is certain
to continue to be a special point of pride, whether it is parked as
a trophy in the garage or motoring down the road in true Art Deco
fashion.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.