Vehicle Description
Cord's last gasp was the stunning, ground-breaking 810/812, and in 1937 there was simply nothing else on the road that could measure up to its combination of leading-edge tech and jaw-dropping looks. This lovely 1937 Cord Westchester sedan is a fully restored one-of-a-kind that not many people would have the time, patience, or funds to undertake, but Ray Smith of NASCAR fame did. And because of his performance heritage, this car has a big secret under the hood.
Imagine the impact of this car showing up in the late 1930s. Everyone else was still building tall, upright cars with chrome grilles and separate headlights, then this stunner shows up and changes the game forever. Today, these coffin-nose cars still look striking. That's also because of a $130+K rotisserie restoration that brought this exceptionally rare classic back to life – there were only about 4,200 examples built eight decades ago. This kind of rarity means these cars are treated with a ton of respect in the classic community. That's why the burgundy paint on this sedan is a true investment in making it look great. No corners were cut; no expense was spared. The 810/812 Cords didn't have much chrome to begin with, so it was made sure every piece really counted – from the slats on the wraparound front end, to the unique bumpers, to the iconic exterior engine bay exhaust pipes. It all looks fantastic.
The Cords were also very unique inside, too. The sedan has suicide front doors and conventional opening rears, so when you open both at the same time (both swinging out from the b-pillar,) it is a show stopping visual. Great care was taken to make sure that the aircraft inspired dash was kept in complete and working order. But at the same time, this was also restored to be driven and enjoyed. So there are plenty of modern convenience features added. For example, the front power seat is adapted from a more modern Buick and reupholstered in a pillow top comfortable burgundy fabric. This matches the door panels, carpeting, dashboard, and even the trunk for a truly uniform build. It has power windows, cruise control, and an AM/FM/CD/XM stereo. There's even ice-cold R134a air conditioning so you can stay cooler in your Cord.
We told you there was a big surprise, and it's under the hood. In place of the Lycoming 289 V8 there's a high performance Chevrolet 350 cubic-inch ZZ4 crate motor. Also, these Cords were originally setup to be front-wheel drive, but this one is making so much power, it's now running to the rear wheels – no small feat! This might seem like an odd thing to do to a classic, but when it's built for NASCAR legend Ray Smith, it just seem like a fitting part of a unique tale. Also, just from a practical side, this new drivetrain is exceptionally easier to work on today (it was always serviced by Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet under Smith's care.) On the road this sedan feels great thanks to features like the upgraded independent front suspension with thick anti-sway bar, adjustable coilovers, and disc brakes. Plus, power steering and the 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission w/overdrive means you can turn heads as you effortlessly cruise down the highway.
This is a rare car that got a new lease on life through a motoring hero. That makes it a true one-of-a-kind, and it even comes with detailed build receipts and photos to help you tell its story. Never again will you find a classic like this, so call today or regret it tomorrow!
