Vehicle Description
Gordon Buehrig's groundbreaking Cord 810/812 started life as a
proposal for a "baby Duesenberg" envisioned to support E.L. Cord's
flagship brand into the late 1930s. But as the faltering economy
led to Duesenberg's untimely demise, Buehrig recycled the concept
to revive the Cord marque, which had not produced a vehicle since
the L-29 of 1932. The Cord 810 and 812 pushed the boundaries of
automotive design, employing semi-monocoque construction,
front-wheel drive, an electro-magnetic pre-select gearbox, and
later, an optional supercharged engine. Yet, with all of that
technical wizardry, the styling made the most significant impact.
The unconventional yet striking form eschewed contemporary norms
such as external running boards and flashy upright chrome radiator
shells. Buehrig's advanced streamline design featured curvaceous
aerodynamic fenders with hideaway headlights, slab-sided bodywork,
full-length doors that concealed the running boards, and a distinct
coffin-shaped hood with wraparound air intake slats in place of the
traditional radiator grille. It is widely recognized as one of the
most innovative works in industrial design history, a piece of
automotive art treasured by car collectors and design aficionados
worldwide. Cord offered the 810/812 in various body styles to suit
the individual buyer's wishes. Four-door models consisted of the
Beverly and Westchester sedans, with more luxurious long-wheelbase
versions arriving in 1937. Glamorous open two-door models were also
offered - the four-seat Convertible Phaeton Sedan and the two-seat
Cabriolet, each with sophisticated disappearing top designs. The
Convertible Phaeton Sedan is one of the most popular models with
collectors, as it blends the sporty open-air experience with
four-passenger practicality and comfort. This 1937 812 SC
Convertible Phaeton Sedan has well-known long-term ownership
history dating back to the mid-1940s. It is one of few known
factory-supercharged examples retaining its original,
numbers-matching engine. Mr. Charles S. Merrow of Amesbury,
Massachusetts, and later Seattle, Washington, owned this Cord from
approximately the mid-1940s. A substantial stack of correspondence
between Mr. Merrow and the ACD factory documents his ownership. As
a tooling engineer, Merrow was a hands-on owner, and records show
he rebuilt the engine himself in the 1950s. ACD Club directories
and postmarked envelopes from the period show he owned it through
at least the late-1960s, if not into the late 1970s. By the 1990s,
the 812 was still in the Pacific Northwest, then in the care of the
enthusiastic collector, Mr. Bud Melby. Bud and his wife were avid
competitors in events like The Great American Race, and they ran
the grueling event no fewer thansixtimes in this Cord. They
prepared the car for the rigors of competitive rallying and
restored it in its current eye-catching yellow over burgundy
upholstery and accents. More recently, the cosmetics have been
refreshed, and the car now presents exceptionally well with
attractive paintwork, chrome, and period-correct detailing.
Exterior details include the optional crest hood ornament, driver's
searchlight, and the distinctive exposed exhaust flex pipes that
announce this as a supercharged model. Rolling stock consists of
proper Cord steel wheels with chrome covers and ribbed whitewall
tires. The cabin features appealing burgundy leather trim that is
very good overall, with some moderate creasing from regular
enjoyment. Matching door panels and carpets are in similarly fine
order. The dash features a full array of original instruments, and
all switches and controls are correct. Topping it all off (quite
literally) is a black canvas roof piped in burgundy trim. Beneath
the hood sits the original centrifugal-supercharged, 289 cubic-inch
L-Head Lycoming V8. The engine bay is honest and orderly, with some
minor accommodations for reliable rally use, including modern-type
hose clamps and a Delco alternator. As a supercharged Convertible
Phaeton with a numbers-matching engine, this 812 SC ticks all the
boxes for desirability. It is an honest, well-proven example that's
ideally fit for regular driving pleasure, and as a CCCA Full
Classic�, it is eligible for a wide range of events, including
CARavan Tours. This Cord 812 SC is a fine example of Buehrig's
masterpiece and represents an excellent opportunity to add this
iconic American car to your stable. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6731-1937-cord-812-sc-phaeton/
