Vehicle Description
Gordon Buehrig originally conceived the brilliant Cord 810/812 as a
"baby Duesenberg" that would support E.L. Cord's respected flagship
brand into the late 1930s and beyond. But as the faltering economy
led to Duesenberg's demise, E.L. Cord regrouped and recycled the
concept as a revival of his eponymous car company. The technically
sophisticated Cord 810 and 812 featured semi-monocoque
construction, front-wheel drive, an electro-magnetic pre-select
gearbox, and an optional supercharged engine. Yet, with all of that
technical wizardry, it was the styling that set it apart. The
fascinating, unconventional shape eschewed contemporary norms such
as running boards and upright chrome radiator shells. Buehrig's
creation featured curvaceous, aerodynamic fenders with hideaway
headlights, slab-sided bodywork with hidden running boards, and a
distinct coffin-shaped hood with wraparound air intake slats. It is
widely recognized as one of the most significant works in
industrial design history, treasured by car collectors and design
aficionados the world over. This 1937 Cord 812 is a desirable
factory supercharged four-seat Convertible Phaeton. In the care of
one owner for the past 22 years, it is a lovely example with a
pleasingly mellowed older restoration, presented in cream over a
beautiful red interior. This 812 is certified as a Category 1
Original car by the ACD Club, and it features its original
matching-numbers engine, per the production records compiled by
author Josh Malks. The cream paintwork is quite attractive, with
just a few minor imperfections found on close inspection. Red
painted steel wheels feature the correct chrome wheel covers, and
fittings include factory fog lights, dual integrated taillights,
and the iconic exposed exhaust flex-pipes. Red leather upholstery
offers a striking contrast against the paintwork. The seats and
door panels are restored with the correct patterns and details, and
they are in excellent condition, with just a slight bit of creasing
from age and use. The matching red carpeting is similarly good,
though a few minor blemishes are noted on inspection. The black
canvas top shows a bit of fading, but is otherwise in good order,
stowing neatly beneath a body-color panel behind the seats. A
highlight of any Cord 812 is the elaborate dash. The fascia is
correctly painted to match the upholstery, with an engine-turned
instrument panel and an array of aircraft-inspired dials. This car
features an original 150 mph speedometer - which is admittedly
optimistic for 1937 but reflects the 812's intended purpose as a
high-performance grand tourer. Power comes from the original L-head
Lycoming V8, topped with a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger as it
left the factory. For reasons unknown, very few 812s retain their
original engines, making this one of the rare exceptions. Lifting
the coffin-shaped hood reveals an honest patina on the engine, with
some cooking-off of the porcelain exhaust manifolds and some other
superficial imperfections. However, it runs well, showing good oil
pressure on the gauge. Gordon Buehrig's Cord 812 is a particularly
intriguing and impressively advanced pre-war American car. This
attractive example is an excellent choice to enjoy in driving
events with the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club or Classic Car Club of
America, and it is sure to be a welcome addition to any collection
of iconic automobiles. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6887-1937-cord-812-sc-phaeton/
