To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVEEstimate:
$145,000 - $185,000
- An original factory-supercharged example
- Well-presented older restoration with excellent history
- Very rare Cord accessory dashboard compass
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic
Introduced in late 1935 at the New York Auto Show, "The New Cord"
created a sensation. Crowds around the sleek, front-wheel drive 810
were so deep that people were forced to stand on other display cars
just to get a glimpse. Deliveries began in 1936, but the Depression
finally caught up to E.L. Cord's empire and 1937 was to be the
final model year. During this time, the cars (now designated 812)
were available for the first and only time with an optional
supercharger, which boosted power to almost 200 horsepower. The
supercharged cars could also be fitted with magnificent outside
exhaust pipes, giving the car its most iconic look. At the height
of the Depression, sadly, few could afford this luxury.
The supercharged 812 Phaeton offered here is recorded in the Auburn
Cord Duesenberg Club's rosters as an authentic factory-supercharged
example, as signified by the "3" prefix of its serial number. It
was previously owned for many years by Dr. Richard Brinkley of
Texas, who in 1977 told the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Newsletter
that the original owner had been an Iowan who developed an early
fried chicken restaurant chain. Dr. Brinkley bought the car from
the second owner in 1966 and began restoring it two years later,
meticulously returning each component to its original condition. It
eventually achieved a Senior First Prize in Classic Car Club of
America competition, with a score of 99 points at the CCCA Grand
Classic at Indianapolis in 1977, receiving Senior badge no. 776.
"It's not just a car," he wrote. "As far as physical things go,
it's the only thing I ever really wanted."
Following Dr. Brinkley's ownership, the Cord remained in Texas,
passing in 1986 to Jimmy Martin, then in 1990 to David Taylor's
respected museum in Galveston. Finally, it resided in Sterling
McCall's collection in Round Rock, from which Mr. Mitosinka
purchased it in 2006. Since then it has been preserved within his
own collection and is still in impressive overall condition, given
the age of its restoration. While the driving miles are visible on
the engine and chassis, the paint is still in very good overall
condition, as is the interior; Mr. Mitosinka has had the windshield
frame rechromed.
Inspection of the car shows that the engine is a correct
factory-supercharged unit, but it is not original to this car; the
Cord does, however, retains its original serial number tag and the
original numbered front stub frame. Desirable accessories include
Cord-badged amber driving lights and the very, very rare Cord
accessory compass. An owner's manual also accompanies the car. At
the time of cataloging the car had recorded 66,806 miles, a figure
in line with the original mileage noted by Dr. Brinkley in 1977. A
thorough service would be recommended before regular road use.
Eligible for a happy return to CCCA or ACD Club activities
following detailing, this handsome Cord reflects the best that the
marque has to offer - factory-supercharged performance and
impressive modern style.To view this car and others currently
consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mt20.
