Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America's Auburn Fall event,
August 31-3, 2017.
Chassis No.
1155H
Estimate:
$165,000 - $185,000 US
Serial no. 812 1155 H
Engine no. FB 1644
Body no. C 91 269
When the "new Cord" made its debut at the New York Auto Show in
November 1935, it turned the automotive world on its ear. Onlookers
reportedly stood on the roofs of other cars just to catch a glimpse
of Gordon Buehrig's stunningly advanced "new, original, and
ornamental design for an automobile," with its aerodynamic "coffin
nose" louvered hood lacking a traditional radiator shell; its
"step-down" floor; its unitary body construction; its hidden door
hinges; its pop-up headlamps; and its total lack of running boards.
Underneath was no less innovative, with a Lycoming V-8 running the
front wheels through a four-speed, electrically shifted
pre-selector transmission, which was operated by a "key" off the
steering column; essentially, it was an H-pattern gearshift in
miniature.
Orders for the new Cord flooded the manufacturer's headquarters in
Auburn, Indiana, but the car was not quite ready for production. By
the time cars finally began to be delivered, many impatient
customers had cancelled their orders, and the car that could have
saved the Auburn Automobile Company became its death knell. The new
Cord was only built for two years, and it has since gone down in
history as one of the most beautiful automobiles of its time, being
regularly displayed in art museums as what Buehrig referred to as
"rolling sculpture."
The 812 phaeton offered here is a very well-maintained restoration,
in the attractive color scheme of Geneva Blue over dark blue
leather upholstery. Its paint has a wonderful deep shine and
remains in virtually show-worthy condition, as does the interior.
Accessories include a proper radio and heater, as well as dual Cord
amber fog lights. Further, the car retains its original engine,
as-delivered in 1937.
An excellent Cord for both showing and touring, this car represents
Gordon Buehrig's design genious at its very best.
