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1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton

  • Chassis Number: 31950 F
  • Engine Number: FC 3008
In 1929 E.L. Cord introduced the Auburn-derived automobile named for himself, the Cord Front Drive or the L29, with its distinctive and sporting appearance. Its styling later provided the basis for the front-wheel-drive Cord 810 in 1936 and the later 1937 Cords, now designated 812. There were little changes cosmetically, but an optional Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger was available that provided a six-psi boost, increasing the Lycoming V8's power output to approximately 195 horsepower. Cord built about 195 of these attractive Cabriolets during the brief lifespan of the Cord 810/812, although only 64 were supercharged as with this example, owned by E.L. Cord's grandson. The Cabriolet or Convertible Coupe has come to be known by collectors as the 'Sportsman,' even though that designation was never officially used by Cord.

It is believed that this car was owned by Dorothy Hoffman of Gary, Indiana, during the late 1930s. In the early 1960s, it was owned by Walter Ginn of West Grove, Pennsylvania, before selling it in 1983 to Frank DiSerafino of Media, Pennsylvania. The car was entrusted to Jim Corbin to perform a restoration. In 2000 it was acquired by John Kernan of San Diego. After further work was performed by marque experts, the car won several judging victories over the next four years, including a class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2001. It was awarded Best Cord and Best of Show awards marque-specific judging in 2002 at the ACD Club's annual reunion. Additionally, it won three CCCA First Place awards, scoring a perfect 100 points in 2004, carrying CCCA Senior Badge number 2325SP.

In 2005, the car was purchased by Don Wohlwend of Camano Island, Washington, and had Lee Richardson CV joints installed to improve its drivability. It was then driven on several tours, accumulating 20,000 miles during his ownership. Chris Cord acquired the Cabriolet in 2013 and commissioned a $130,000 restoration by Tired Iron Works in Monrovia, California.

Provenance *
* Please note, dates are approximate

2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $375,000-USD $475,000 
Sale Price :
USD $412,000

2020 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $450,000 
Sale Price :
USD $544,000

1937 Cord 812 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Cord 812

(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton
Chassis#: 1494h
Sold for USD$121,000
  2024 Mecum : Glendale
 
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet
Chassis#: 1507
Sold for USD$151,200
  2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
 
1937 Cord 812 Custom Beverly
Chassis#: 310242 S
Sold for USD$74,250
  2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1937 Cord 812 image  1937 Cord 812 image  
1937 Cord 812 SC 'Sportsman' Cabriolet
Sold for USD$395,500
  2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged 'Sportsman' Cabriolet
Chassis#: 812 31655 F
Sold for USD$168,000
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
 
1937 CORD 812 WESTCHESTER SEDAN
Chassis#: FB1855
Sold for USD$28,600
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
 
1937 CORD WESTCHESTER
Chassis#: 1743A
Sold for USD$82,500
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
 
1937 CORD 812 S/C CABRIOLET 'SPORTSMAN'
Chassis#: 31950 F
Sold for USD$412,000
  2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction
1937 Cord 812 image  1937 Cord 812 image  
1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton
Chassis#: 31613H
Sold for USD$257,600
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton
Chassis#: 8121930
Sold for USD$98,000
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1937 CORD 812 S/C CABRIOLET 'SPORTSMAN'
Chassis#: 31867F
Sold for USD$467,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1937 Cord 812 image  1937 Cord 812 image  
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton
Sold for USD$80,300
  2022 Mecum Indy
 
1937 Cord 812 'Sportsman' Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: FB1459
Sold for USD$192,950
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Enthusiast Auction
 
1937 CORD 812 SUPERCHARGED PHAETON
Chassis#: 81231415H
Sold for USD$201,600
  2022 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona
 
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet
Chassis#: 31940F
Sold for USD$184,800
  2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1937 Cord 812 image  1937 Cord 812 image  
1937 CORD 812 WESTCHESTER SEDAN CUSTOM
Chassis#: 82893
Sold for USD$275,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Geared Online
 
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton
Chassis#: 32370H
Sold for USD$170,500
  2021 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
 
1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton
Chassis#: FC2682
Sold for USD$154,000
  2021 Worldwide Auctioneers : The 14th Annual Auburn Auction
 
1937 Cord 812 Armored Beverly Sedan
Chassis#: 10182S
Sold for USD$63,250
  2021 Mecum : Monterey
1937 Cord 812 image  1937 Cord 812 image  
1937 Cord 812 Westchester Sedan
Chassis#: FB1427
Sold for USD$71,500
  2021 Mecum : Monterey
1937 Cord 812 image  1937 Cord 812 image  

Cord 812s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1937 Cord 812's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe32317f2023 Mecum : Monterey$140,000$250,000$325,000
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe32317f2023 Mecum : Indy$200,000$200,000$300,000
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe32317F2023 Mecum : Kissimmee$250,000  
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe32317F2022 Mecum : Monterey$240,000  
1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton31613H2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale Arizona   
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe32317F2022 Mecum : Kissimmee   
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton812 31918 H2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey $170,000$190,000
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe32317F2021 Mecum : Monterey$250,000$275,000$325,000
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton1155H2020 RM Sothebys : Palm Beach Online $140,000$150,000
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton6332020 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona $160,000$200,000
1937 CORD 812 SPORTSMAN CONVERTIBLE COUPE812 1256 F2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction   
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton 2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall   
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton812 31415 H2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction $125,000$150,000
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton812 32269 H2018 RM Sothebys : The Petersen Automotive Museum $220,000$260,000
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton11942018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall   
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman31631F2018 Bonhams : Scottsdale $175,000$250,000
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton 2017 GAA : November$110,000  
1937 Cord 812 Beverly Sedan 2017 Collector Car Toronto Fall Classic$65,000  
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton812 1155 H2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall $165,000$185,000
1937 Cord 812 Westchester Sedan1471A2017 Mecum : Monterey$55,000  
1937 Cord 812 Convertible PhaetonFB19972017 Motostalgia : Amelia Island $165,000$200,000
1937 Cord 812 Beverly 4dr Sedan1704A2017 Motostalgia : Amelia Island $65,000$90,000
1937 Cord 812 SC Sportsman Convertible Coupe8121163F2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, AZ $175,000$225,000
1937 Cord 812 Sportsman8121163F2016 Mecum : Monterey$120,000  
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton1339H2016 The Finest : Aspen $120,000$140,000
1937 CORD 812 SUPERCHARGED SPORTSMAN31631F2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction $1,000,000$2,000,000
1937 Cord 812 Sportsman Convertible Coupe 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall$140,000  
1937 Cord 812 Custom Beverly Sedan 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall$75,000  
1937 Cord 812 Custom Roadster 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall$62,500  
1937 Cord Beverly Supercharged Sedan 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall$40,000  

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1937 Cord 812 vehicle thumbnail image  1937 Cord 812 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1937 Cord 812

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1937 Cord 812 Vehicle Profiles