For Sale at Auction: 1936 Cord 810 in Auburn, Indiana

Chassis No: 2041H One of the few automobiles deemed worthy of inclusion in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and arguably the most easily recognized American car of all time, the Cord 810 debuted in November 1935, receiving a rapturous reception at U.S. automobile shows. The work of a team headed by Duesenberg Designer Gordon Buehrig, the 810 body style with a louvred 'coffin' nose, streamlined, spat-shaped wings and absence of running boards would prove immensely influential; its distinctive features were borrowed by most mainstream manufacturers by the decade's end. The 810's arrival marked the end of a hiatus in Cord production, with its predecessor, the L-29, having disappeared in 1931. Errett Lobban Cord had introduced the latter in 1929 as a gap-filling model priced between his Cord Corporation's Auburn and Duesenberg lines. Powered by a Lycoming straight eight, the Cord L-29 featured front-wheel drive, a chassis layout then in vogue at Indianapolis. Its front-drive layout made for a low-slung frame, and the freedom this gave coachbuilders meant that the Cord was soon attracting the attention of master craftsmen on both sides of the Atlantic. A front-wheel-drive car like the L-29, the 810 differed from its predecessor by virtue of its more compact Lycoming V-8 engine and four-speed, pre-selector gearbox. Set further back in the chassis, the former endowed the 810 with better balance and came with 125bhp in standard trim or 170bhp when supercharged. Custom sedans on a longer wheelbase joined the four-model 812 range for 1937. Priced competitively in the $2,000-3,000 range, the 810/812 should have been a huge success, though, sadly, this was not to be. The Cord Corporation was in deep financial trouble, and when its proprietor sold up in August 1937, it spelled the end not just for Cord, but for Auburn and Duesenberg as well. At the close, a little fewer than 3,000 810/812s had been made. This stunning 1936 Cord 810 Phaeton is believed to be a very early production Cord 810, with a windshield frame cast in bronze. Cord experts believe only the first ten cars produced were fitted with a bronze windshield frame before switching to a cast metal frame. Recognizing the importance of this historically significant Cord, the current owner commissioned a comprehensive restoration. The authentic and quality restoration was performed by renowned Cord specialist Jim O'Brien of Redding, Pennsylvania, and done to the highest standard. The black paint was polished to a mirror gloss over an arrow-straight body. The interior, trim, chrome, glass and more have been restored to concours quality. Mechanical components have been fully sorted, making this classic a pleasure to drive. The fresh restoration was completed in January of 2026. A certification from the ACD Club authenticating the car was issued in 2025 and accompanies the car. This rare Cord has yet to be shown, presenting an opportunity for the next owner to exhibit it at Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg meets, Classic Car Club of America events and Concours d'Elegance shows both in America and overseas. Unquestionably one of the most distinctive designs ever to grace an automobile, this rare, early-production Cord 810 Phaeton is ready to be enjoyed and treasured by its next owner. * ACD Club Certified C-493
* Believed to be one of the first ten Cord 810s produced as equipped with its bronze windshield frame
* Comprehensive restoration by marque specialist Jim O'Brien completed in January 2026
* Art Deco styling with impressive eight-cylinder power
* Eligible for CCCA, ACD Club, and various other collector car events

Chassis No: 2041H

One of the few automobiles deemed worthy of inclusion in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and arguably the most easily recognized American car of all time, the Cord 810 debuted in November 1935, receiving a rapturous reception at U.S. automobile shows. The work of a team headed by Duesenberg Designer Gordon Buehrig, the 810 body style with a louvred 'coffin' nose, streamlined, spat-shaped wings and absence of running boards would prove immensely influential; its distinctive features were borrowed by most mainstream manufacturers by the decade's end.
The 810's arrival marked the end of a hiatus in Cord production, with its predecessor, the L-29, having disappeared in 1931. Errett Lobban Cord had introduced the latter in 1929 as a gap-filling model priced between his Cord Corporation's Auburn and Duesenberg lines. Powered by a Lycoming straight eight, the Cord L-29 featured front-wheel drive, a chassis layout then in vogue at Indianapolis. Its front-drive layout made for a low-slung frame, and the freedom this gave coachbuilders meant that the Cord was soon attracting the attention of master craftsmen on both sides of the Atlantic.

A front-wheel-drive car like the L-29, the 810 differed from its predecessor by virtue of its more compact Lycoming V-8 engine and four-speed, pre-selector gearbox. Set further back in the chassis, the former endowed the 810 with better balance and came with 125bhp in standard trim or 170bhp when supercharged. Custom sedans on a longer wheelbase joined the four-model 812 range for 1937.

Priced competitively in the $2,000-3,000 range, the 810/812 should have been a huge success, though, sadly, this was not to be. The Cord Corporation was in deep financial trouble, and when its proprietor sold up in August 1937, it spelled the end not just for Cord, but for Auburn and Duesenberg as well. At the close, a little fewer than 3,000 810/812s had been made.

This stunning 1936 Cord 810 Phaeton is believed to be a very early production Cord 810, with a windshield frame cast in bronze. Cord experts believe only the first ten cars produced were fitted with a bronze windshield frame before switching to a cast metal frame. Recognizing the importance of this historically significant Cord, the current owner commissioned a comprehensive restoration. The authentic and quality restoration was performed by renowned Cord specialist Jim O'Brien of Redding, Pennsylvania, and done to the highest standard. The black paint was polished to a mirror gloss over an arrow-straight body. The interior, trim, chrome, glass and more have been restored to concours quality. Mechanical components have been fully sorted, making this classic a pleasure to drive. The fresh restoration was completed in January of 2026. A certification from the ACD Club authenticating the car was issued in 2025 and accompanies the car. This rare Cord has yet to be shown, presenting an opportunity for the next owner to exhibit it at Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg meets, Classic Car Club of America events and Concours d'Elegance shows both in America and overseas.

Unquestionably one of the most distinctive designs ever to grace an automobile, this rare, early-production Cord 810 Phaeton is ready to be enjoyed and treasured by its next owner.