Vehicle Description
-Cigarette Cream with Oxblood Red leather interior, Oxblood
carpeting, Black convertible top, Restored, 4.7 liter V8 engine, 4
manual Bendix electric vacuum servo preselector transmission.
This Convertible Phaeton was restored in the 1990s by Harry Van
Iderstine (a highly respected authority in the
Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg community) for William A.C. Pettit III, of
Natural Bridge, Virginia. This car was part of Mr. Pettit's
collection in the Museum of Motoring memories. The restoration was
well-researched and detailed, with the car being finished
"Cigarette Cream" over Oxblood Red leather. The color itself is the
correct Light Cream shade as used by the factory in the 1930s, and
not the brighter Yellow that is often represented as Cigarette
Cream on other restorations.
The restoration was very clearly high-level and the car still shows
nicely. The paint shows well with good luster and consistent with
the restoration history, but with only the most minor chips on
close inspection; the chrome is excellent condition all around and
still show quality. The leather upholstery is properly trimmed on
the seats and door panels, and the seats display minimal signs of
use. The instruments and controls are in excellent order, including
the door handles, window winders, and miniature H-pattern gear
selector. Hardware and fittings, such as the generator, are
period-correct and Cord-correct, consistent with this car's
well-researched restoration and care since.
The car has the highly desirable "Richardson" upgraded CV joints
and axels as well as an updated shift interlock, consistent with
when the car was restored and further evidence that it was done
right. The body-color dash and steering column are finished to
original specification.
During its most recent ownership, the muffler has been replaced, it
has received new forward wiring harnesses, my ownership, I have
replaced the muffler, new solid state 6V relays for the lights have
been installed and the 812's shifter solenoids have been rebuilt.
It has been fitted with and electric fuel pump and upon a recent
road test, starts, runs and drives extremely well.
The car has been verified by the ACD Club and factory records
indicate it's being a Phaeton, also noted in Josh Malks's
reference, The Cord Complete.
This 812 comes with factory manuals, literature, and extensive
records.
In its previous collection, the 812 has been used and enjoyed for
various local events, and on display at the previous owner's museum
collection. It has garnered attention wherever and whenever it has
been seen by the general public and seasoned enthusiasts alike.