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 |  | View more photos Chassis Num: 38010A Engine Num: FB2003 |
L-29 Cord production ceased after two years, but E.L. had another car in the works - a 'Baby Duesenberg,' also a front-driver, but with V-8 power from his Lycoming Engine Company and priced in the upper-medium band. Called the Cord 810, this car was created to help Auburn Automobile out of the deep financial hole that dismal sales during the worst years of the Depression had caused. A totally clean-sheet design by the hugely talented Gordon Buchrig, it debuted at the 1935 New York Auto Show and was the hands-down hit of that event with its 'coffin nose' front styling, retractable headlamps, lack of running boards, and sleek, integrated shape. Cord salesman couldn't write orders fast enough.
However, teething troubles with the cars themselves, along with assembly line glitches plus a financial pinch, made for a slow delivery of Cords, and the first cars didn't get into owners' garages until mid-1936. With Auburns and Duesenbergs halted after 1936, the Cord was continued into 1937. But on August 7, 1937, the last Cord rolled off the assembly line and the glory days of Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg came to an abrupt end. In its two years of existence less than 3,000 Cord 810s and 812s had been built.
The Cord 812
There's a popular misconception among collectors that all Cords with an 812 designation indicate supercharged cars, but the 812 merely distinguishes the 1937 model-year cars from the 1936 run.
The 810 and 812 Cords are identical to each other in all specifications and other respects. Even if Cord had wanted to fiddle with Buehrig's superb design, the money wasn't in the till to mess it up with face-lifts or big mechanical changes. In both years, only four body styles were offered: the Phaeton, Beverly and Westchester sedans and the Sportsman convertible.
This Car
Finished in the popular Cord shade called 'Cigarette Cream,' the interior has been authentically reupholstered in dark burgundy leather. A beige canvas top complements the exterior and interior colors.
The timeless design of the Cord 810/812 continues to fascinate even 70 years after its public introduction. All Cords are Full Classics as recognized by the Classic Car Club of America and are eligible for all of the activities that the club offers for its members and their cars.Source - Gooding & Company
In 1937, at the height of the Great Depression, this car cost $3,010, when a big Buick could be bought for $895. Mostly hand-built, the 812 featured a supercharged 280 cubic-inch V8 engine, a four-speed transmission, front-wheel drive, unit body construction, and had a top speed of 112 mph. Radical for its day, the Cord 812 had retractable headlights, hidden door hinges, no running boards, stepdown floor and independent suspension. About 90 convertible coupes were built and only a handful of those were supercharged. The present owner has enjoyed this car for 39 years, both as a show car and as a reliable and comfortable tourer.
|  | View more photos Cabriolet |
The model 810 and 812 front-wheel-drive Cord made their debut at the 1935 New York Auto Show and were an immediate success. Gordon Buehrig's sensational styling along with innovative engineering advances, such as front-wheeled drive, coupled with an electric vacuum shifting device located on a short arm just under the steering wheel for ease of driver control, just added to the excitement. A Bendix Pontoon fender, no running boards, and an enclosed radiator, along with the 'coffin nose' hood attracted dealers and buyers. Cord had trouble producing enough cars to meet the demand.
| | View more photos Berline |
Introduced in 1929, Erret Lobban Cord created the Cord, one of the most stylish and graceful cars to ever be produced in America.
By 1933, Chairman of the Board, Errett Cord, had sold most of his stock of the Auburn Company and Gordon Buehrig joins the team. In 1935, created is five prototype Cord 810s. Mechanically, the 810 Cord was inspired by its front-wheel-drive predecessor, the L-29. But with this engine, it was a 90-degree V-8, designed by Lycoming's Forest Baster. The 810 would be fitted with a four-speed transmission, with an electro-vacuum activated gear selection by a lever on the steering column. The 810's wheelbase was over 120 inches, weighed in at 3,650 pounds and still would reach 90 miles per hour. The design of the door handles, rounded gauges, and window cranks would confirm the Art Deco style with colorful plastics, which played a major role in the designing of the 810. It would also do away with the traditional runningboards, outside-mounted headlamps, traditional upright radiators and tall hoods. 1937 would bring the 812, which replaced the 810 with an optional centrifugal supercharger increasing the horsepower by over 40. Also added were chrome exhaust pipes like the Duesenberg SJ.Kyle McMullen
By 1933, Chairman of the Board, Errett Cord, had sold most of his stock of the Auburn Company and Gordon Buehrig joins the team. In 1935, created is five prototype Cord 810s. Mechanically, the 810 Cord was inspired by its front-wheel-drive predecessor, the L-29. But with this engine, it was a 90-degree V-8, designed by Lycoming's Forest Baster. The 810 would be fitted with a four-speed transmission, with an electro-vacuum activated gear selection by a lever on the steering column. The 810's wheelbase was over 120 inches, weighed in at 3,650 pounds and still would reach 90 miles per hour. The design of the door handles, rounded gauges, and window cranks would confirm the Art Deco style with colorful plastics, which played a major role in the designing of the 810. It would also do away with the traditional runningboards, outside-mounted headlamps, traditional upright radiators and tall hoods. 1937 would bring the 812, which replaced the 810 with an optional centrifugal supercharger increasing the horsepower by over 40. Also added were chrome exhaust pipes like the Duesenberg SJ.Kyle McMullen
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.
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.
1937 Cord 812 |
|
| Year | 1937 |
| Make | Cord |
| Model | 812 |
| Body Style | Phaeton |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Production Years for Series | 1937 |
| Body Designer | Gordon Buehrig |
| Price | $2,595.00 |
| Weight | 3815 lbs | 1730.5 kg |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 38010A |
| Engine Number | FB2003 |
| Performance | |
| Top Speed | 110 mph | 177 km/h Similar top speeds |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | V |
| L-Head | |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 288.60 CU IN. | 4730.2 cc. | 4.7 L. |
| Valves | 16 valves. 2 valves per cylinder. |
| Horsepower | 125.00 BHP (92 KW) @ 3600.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 30.5 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 26.6 BHP / Liter |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View more photographs |
| Similar Automakers |
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| Cord History |
| Other models by Cord |
| View Specifications |
 |
| 1937 Cord models |
| 812 SC Beverly |
| 812 SC Convertible Coupe |
| 812 SC Phaeton |
| Other Model Years |
| 1937 812 SC Phaeton |
| 1937 812 SC Convertible Coupe |
| 1937 812 SC Beverly |
| Vehicle Spotlight | ||
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com