Cord 812 SC Phaeton, 1937 812 SC Phaeton Pictures, News, Reviews, and Info | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Wallpaper, Pricing, Information, History

Overview

The Cord Model 812 succeeded the model 810 in 1937. Several options were made available in 1937 including a super-charger and a long wheelbase 'custom' series. The super-charged model had the external exhaust pipes, and utilized a super-charged Lycoming V8 engine.

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Chassis Num: 31690H
Engine Num: FC2265

At one point in history, E. L. Cord controlled Auburn, Duesenberg, Cord, Lycoming, Stinson Aircraft and American Airways, and the Checker and Yellow Cab companies. He was a salesman who had worked his way into a position of leadership and had a portfolio that included 156 companies. In 1924 he had acquired Auburn and from there the success steam-rolled.

He introduced the front-wheel drive Auburn in 1929, commonly known as the L29. The stock market crash in the early 1930s brought the luxury car market to a standstill; to combat this recession E. L. Cord commissioned Gordon Buehrig to create a baby Duesenberg. The result was a medium-priced, front-wheel drive car which ultimately led to the Model 810 in 1936. The car brought with it style and performance at a reasonable price. The car featured a coffin-nose and retractable headlights. The car was powered by a Lycoming V8 engine and was introduced at the 1935 New York Auto Show.

The Supercharged Phaetons were highly sought after, even by the noteworthy individuals of the period, including Frank Llyod Wright, Gary Cooper, and Clark Gable. There were a total of 610 Phaeton cars created and less than 200 were supercharged.

This example is finished in a Cigarette cream color and is powered by an L-head V8 engine with a Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger. The engine displaces 288 cubic-inches and is capable of producing 190 horsepower. There is a four-speed preselector manual gearbox with four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The interior is finished in black. This car was treated to a complete nut-and-bolt restoration and is in superb condition.

This car was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held at Meadow Brook where it was estimated to sell between $150,000 - $200,000. As the bidding came to a close, a new owner was found with a high bid of $176,000.

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The Cord is a front wheel drive vehicle and has pre-select shifting with Vacuum/solenoid assisted Transmission. Another feature was the disappearing headlights.

This car was originally Supercharged, but is not now. Could be purchased with the exposed exhaust pipes even when not supercharged. This body style was only produced in 1936 and 1937.

Certified with ACD. Car has achieved the highest awards in AACA, CCCA and ACD clubs.

The 1937 Cords, penned by the legendary Gordon Buehrig, were designated model #812. They were little changed from the 1936 models. Approximately 2,900 Cords were produced between 1936 and 1937.

Although this Cord is not supercharged, the optional chromed outside exhaust pipes available on any of the 812 body styles, gives the car unmistakable external identification.

One of the most attractive and desirable variants of the 812 was the phaeton, a unique four-passenger convertible that featured a top that, when down, was totally concealed.

The Cord 812 remains one of the most significant vehicles in the history of automobile design. Its combination of charisma, fresh styling and innovative engineering make it one of the most desirable and drivable cars of the classic era.

Having achieved highest honors in the ACD Club, CCCA, and AACA, this Cord also carried Gordon Buehrig's granddaughter in the annual parade at the ACD Festival in 1997.

Chassis Num: FC2998

This 1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $250,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $253,000 including buyer's premium.

This vehicle is a ACD Level One Certified example and completed the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 1,600 Mile Rally. It is the 507th Phaeton produced which means it was one of the later examples created, as evident by its outboard taillights. It has spent most of its life in California and Arizona, with its recent years on the East Coast.

The car is ivory with a tan Haartz cloth convertible top. It is an original vehicle including its body, engine, supercharger, drive train, suspension, and running gear. It has the external exhausts and a pair of original Cord fog lights.

There were 610 convertible Phaetons produced with 196 being equipped with superchargers.

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Chassis Num: FB1865

This 1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton is painted in rich maroon with a saddle brown leather interior and a tan cloth top. In 2003 it was certified by the A.C.D. The first time this car was given a nut-and-bolt restoration was in 1977, which took four years to finish. In 1991 the car was the poster car for the Meadow Brook Concours. In 2007 it was shown at the automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.

The current owner purchased the car in 2001 and commissioned another professional restoration. It was a blue ribbon winner in 2003 at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance and voted 'Best in Show - Road Tour' at the 2004 Cranbrook Concours d'Elegance.

This is a very well maintained and rarely used machine. Since 1977, it has been driven a mere 720 miles. It has been stored in a climate-controlled environment and been very pampered during its modern life. In 2008 it was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it had an estimated value of $220,000-$280,000. Bidding surpassed those figures, settling at $291,500 including buyer's premium.

The Cord was owned by Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg. Thus their similarities in vehicle design. These three firms also owned the Lycoming engine manufacturing company. This company supplied the 289 cubic-inch V8 engine that gave this vehicle life. The engine was rated at 125 horsepower, with the supercharger the horsepower increased to 170 bhp. The 125hp engine was capable of 90 miles-per-hour with a zero-to-sixty rating of about 20 seconds. A four-speed pre-selector was used, and the wheels were fitted with drum brakes.
The Gordon Beuhrig design is very classic, clean and inspired by aviation. The hood was called the 'Coffin Nose' look for obvious reasons. The hood, when opened, would open upwards. The windshield was split in the middle and was small in comparison to other vehicles. This was due to the room needed by the massive V8. The front had a chrome bumper and a wrap-around grill. Two lights were attached to the bumper and two retractable lights were hidden in the front wheel covers.

Production began for the Cords in 1936 and sales were steady. However, the company itself was not doing as well. The industry was very tough during that era due to many obstacles such as competition.

In 1937 the car was renamed to the 812 and included a few modifications. The 812S were supercharged and had chromed exhaust pipes attached to the side. It was too little, too late. Production ceased later that year due to company financial problems.

Photos grouped by event
Automobiles of Amelia Island, RM Auctions	Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance	Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey	Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance
Vintage Motor Car Auction at Meadow Brook Hall	Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival	2006 RM Auctions at Amelia Island	2005 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance

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