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E.L. Cord's Cord Corporation was noted for innovative, sometimes extreme, designs incorporating the newest ideas and technologies. In almost every way, each of Cord's automobiles was more like concept cars than what would be considered regular production cars. Perhaps no single Cord design reflects the company's and Cord's own approach to car making more than the Cord Model 812.
The designers at Cord managed to take shapes like arcs and rectangles and create something radical, and yet, that looked so good. And the 812 is perhaps the most extreme adaptation. Minimal was not in the company's vocabulary.
E.L. Cord had been able to rescue Auburn Automobile Company, and then, negotiated the purchase of Duesenberg in 1926. That wasn't enough for Cord. He wanted to have his own car manufacturer that would produce his kind of automobiles. Therefore, later on in 1926, Cord launched the car company bearing his own name.
Using Lycoming engines (another company Cord had purchased), in only three years after coming into existence, Cord produced its L-29. The car was designed to ride low to the ground and was a beautifully designed coupe. It ended up winning the Monaco Concours d'Elegance in 1930. Besides offering custom coachwork, the L-29 introduced the automotive world to an important feature that would be all but standard by the late 1980s. Cord's L-29 was the first American automobile to offer front-wheel drive. After over 5,000 L-29s were built, production ceased at the end of 1931.
Cord decided not to merely re-fashion the L-29, but instead, decided to start over. Debuted at the New York Auto Show in 1935, Cord's new 810, with its expressive shapely lines, belonged more in the world of concept car than regular production model. In and of itself, the car was truly ahead of its time. It incorporated many features that wouldn't be all available in one car for nearly another thirty years.
The brain-child of Gordon Buehrig, the 810 and 812 were part science-fiction and a designer's unlimited imagination. The Cord 810 and 812 were real over-the-top works of art. While the L-29 shared a refined look similar to Cord's other company, Duesenberg, the 810 was a radical departure, more-akin to what a teenager of the time would design.
The 810 introduced more innovations that were ahead of its day. Hidden on the front side of the voluptuous front wheel Pontoon fenders were the car's pop-up headlights. Though offered on a DeSoto during the 1940s, the pop-up headlight wouldn't really become available until the 1960s.
Another of the aerodynamic features that made the 810 out-of-this-world and ahead of its time, was the position of the door hinges on the inside of the car so they did not protrude on the outside. The hood, too, was changed. Most designs of the day had hinged panels that opened from either side of the engine bay. The 810 incorporated a hinge located at the back of the bay near the passenger compartment. This meant the entire hood lifted up. In addition to these innovative design features, the 810 also had variable-speed windshield wipers and a standard radio. A car in those days, even having a windshield wiper, was a big deal, let alone one that was variable speed. And a standard radio wouldn't even be offered in cars until the 1950s.
Besides the large Pontoon fenders, equally attracting one's attention was what became known as the 'coffin nose'. What essentially is one heavily rounded rectangle-based shape, the nose/engine bay sports a wrap-around grille and highly-polished exhausts pouring out of the side of the engine cowling. Inside the passenger compartment, the Phaeton model housed a three-person back seat, whereas, the convertible version used this space for storage of the top.
The only major difference between the 810 and 812 was the inclusion of supercharging. On the 812, a supercharger was included that boosted horsepower to 170 bhp, although it was known to actually produce between 185 and 195 bhp.
The car offered for auction this year was a 1937 model 812, and therefore, one of only about 700. Being a supercharged Phaeton, it is believed this car is one of just 134 produced by Cord. The car has been part of a private collection for many years and just recently went through restoration. Finished in black and accented by highly polished chrome and white-walled tires, this impressive 812 was expected to fetch between $150,000 and $200,000.
Its interior is finished in red leather and is accented in black trim and an etched metal dash. It sports the 812's four-speed pre-selector transmission. It has a transverse leaf spring front suspension via trailing link. This 812 has a trailing arm front axle and a live rear axle. It makes use of four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes for its stopping power.
The supercharged 812s boasted superlative performance. When combined with the magnificent design and innovative features, the 812 provides an experience way beyond its years. Though Cord's car company went out of business, it paved the way for the future. And the 812 truly stretched the limits of automotive design and innovation.
Sources:
'Buy: View Lots (Lot 245: 1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton)', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r207&fc=0). RM Auction Arizona. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r207&fc=0. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Cord Automobile', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 December 2010, 12:57 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cord_Automobile&oldid=403343000 accessed 11 January 2011By Jeremy McMullen
The designers at Cord managed to take shapes like arcs and rectangles and create something radical, and yet, that looked so good. And the 812 is perhaps the most extreme adaptation. Minimal was not in the company's vocabulary.
E.L. Cord had been able to rescue Auburn Automobile Company, and then, negotiated the purchase of Duesenberg in 1926. That wasn't enough for Cord. He wanted to have his own car manufacturer that would produce his kind of automobiles. Therefore, later on in 1926, Cord launched the car company bearing his own name.
Using Lycoming engines (another company Cord had purchased), in only three years after coming into existence, Cord produced its L-29. The car was designed to ride low to the ground and was a beautifully designed coupe. It ended up winning the Monaco Concours d'Elegance in 1930. Besides offering custom coachwork, the L-29 introduced the automotive world to an important feature that would be all but standard by the late 1980s. Cord's L-29 was the first American automobile to offer front-wheel drive. After over 5,000 L-29s were built, production ceased at the end of 1931.
Cord decided not to merely re-fashion the L-29, but instead, decided to start over. Debuted at the New York Auto Show in 1935, Cord's new 810, with its expressive shapely lines, belonged more in the world of concept car than regular production model. In and of itself, the car was truly ahead of its time. It incorporated many features that wouldn't be all available in one car for nearly another thirty years.
The brain-child of Gordon Buehrig, the 810 and 812 were part science-fiction and a designer's unlimited imagination. The Cord 810 and 812 were real over-the-top works of art. While the L-29 shared a refined look similar to Cord's other company, Duesenberg, the 810 was a radical departure, more-akin to what a teenager of the time would design.
The 810 introduced more innovations that were ahead of its day. Hidden on the front side of the voluptuous front wheel Pontoon fenders were the car's pop-up headlights. Though offered on a DeSoto during the 1940s, the pop-up headlight wouldn't really become available until the 1960s.
Another of the aerodynamic features that made the 810 out-of-this-world and ahead of its time, was the position of the door hinges on the inside of the car so they did not protrude on the outside. The hood, too, was changed. Most designs of the day had hinged panels that opened from either side of the engine bay. The 810 incorporated a hinge located at the back of the bay near the passenger compartment. This meant the entire hood lifted up. In addition to these innovative design features, the 810 also had variable-speed windshield wipers and a standard radio. A car in those days, even having a windshield wiper, was a big deal, let alone one that was variable speed. And a standard radio wouldn't even be offered in cars until the 1950s.
Besides the large Pontoon fenders, equally attracting one's attention was what became known as the 'coffin nose'. What essentially is one heavily rounded rectangle-based shape, the nose/engine bay sports a wrap-around grille and highly-polished exhausts pouring out of the side of the engine cowling. Inside the passenger compartment, the Phaeton model housed a three-person back seat, whereas, the convertible version used this space for storage of the top.
The only major difference between the 810 and 812 was the inclusion of supercharging. On the 812, a supercharger was included that boosted horsepower to 170 bhp, although it was known to actually produce between 185 and 195 bhp.
The car offered for auction this year was a 1937 model 812, and therefore, one of only about 700. Being a supercharged Phaeton, it is believed this car is one of just 134 produced by Cord. The car has been part of a private collection for many years and just recently went through restoration. Finished in black and accented by highly polished chrome and white-walled tires, this impressive 812 was expected to fetch between $150,000 and $200,000.
Its interior is finished in red leather and is accented in black trim and an etched metal dash. It sports the 812's four-speed pre-selector transmission. It has a transverse leaf spring front suspension via trailing link. This 812 has a trailing arm front axle and a live rear axle. It makes use of four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes for its stopping power.
The supercharged 812s boasted superlative performance. When combined with the magnificent design and innovative features, the 812 provides an experience way beyond its years. Though Cord's car company went out of business, it paved the way for the future. And the 812 truly stretched the limits of automotive design and innovation.
Sources:
'Buy: View Lots (Lot 245: 1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton)', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r207&fc=0). RM Auction Arizona. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r207&fc=0. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Cord Automobile', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 December 2010, 12:57 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cord_Automobile&oldid=403343000 accessed 11 January 2011By Jeremy McMullen
2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $150,000-USD $200,000
Sale Price :
USD $192,500
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 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 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 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 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 Westchester Sedan Chassis#: FB1427 Sold for USD$71,500 2021 Mecum : Monterey |
Cord 812s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1937 Cord 812's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe | 32317f | 2023 Mecum : Monterey | $140,000 | $250,000 | $325,000 |
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe | 32317f | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $200,000 | $200,000 | $300,000 |
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe | 32317F | 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | $250,000 | ||
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe | 32317F | 2022 Mecum : Monterey | $240,000 | ||
1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton | 31613H | 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale Arizona | |||
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe | 32317F | 2022 Mecum : Kissimmee | |||
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton | 812 31918 H | 2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey | $170,000 | $190,000 | |
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe | 32317F | 2021 Mecum : Monterey | $250,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton | 1155H | 2020 RM Sothebys : Palm Beach Online | $140,000 | $150,000 | |
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton | 633 | 2020 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona | $160,000 | $200,000 | |
1937 CORD 812 SPORTSMAN CONVERTIBLE COUPE | 812 1256 F | 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |||
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton | 2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | ||||
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton | 812 31415 H | 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | $125,000 | $150,000 | |
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton | 812 32269 H | 2018 RM Sothebys : The Petersen Automotive Museum | $220,000 | $260,000 | |
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton | 1194 | 2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |||
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman | 31631F | 2018 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 Phaeton | 812 1155 H | 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | $165,000 | $185,000 | |
1937 Cord 812 Westchester Sedan | 1471A | 2017 Mecum : Monterey | $55,000 | ||
1937 Cord 812 Convertible Phaeton | FB1997 | 2017 Motostalgia : Amelia Island | $165,000 | $200,000 | |
1937 Cord 812 Beverly 4dr Sedan | 1704A | 2017 Motostalgia : Amelia Island | $65,000 | $90,000 | |
1937 Cord 812 SC Sportsman Convertible Coupe | 8121163F | 2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, AZ | $175,000 | $225,000 | |
1937 Cord 812 Sportsman | 8121163F | 2016 Mecum : Monterey | $120,000 | ||
1937 Cord 812 Phaeton | 1339H | 2016 The Finest : Aspen | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
1937 CORD 812 SUPERCHARGED SPORTSMAN | 31631F | 2015 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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $156,913 range.
1967 Plymouth Hemi GTX Convertible Chassis#:rs27j77173390 Sold for $156,750 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1925 Locomobile Model 48 Derham Convertible Sedan Chassis#:19095 Sold for $156,800 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
2002 ROLLS-ROYCE CORNICHE 'LAST OF LINE' Chassis#:SCAZK28E62CX02040 Sold for $156,800 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
1996 Ferrari F355 GTS Chassis#:ZFFXR42B000105734 Sold for $156,846 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1969 Maserati Ghibli 4.9-Litre SS Coupé Chassis#:AM 115/49 *1142* Sold for $156,186 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Saloon by Barker Chassis#:3AZ210 Sold for $156,046 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:194675S101024 Sold for $156,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 FORD BRONCO CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:U14GLH18330 Sold for $156,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 PLYMOUTH CUDA CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:BS27N0B242420 Sold for $156,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 RS Chassis#:124379N597147 Sold for $156,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:ORBH23G0B192847 Sold for $158,400 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1968 SHELBY GT500 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:8T03S169176 Sold for $157,300 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1969 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#:223379n107006 Sold for $156,750 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Chassis#:30837s105822 Sold for $156,750 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1992 BMW M3 Sport Evolution Chassis#:WBSAK07040AC79303 Sold for $157,339 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1960 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Roadster with hardtop Chassis#:J59S107105 Sold for $158,018 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
2002 BMW Z3M Coupé Chassis#:WBSCN91040LJ90393 Sold for $158,018 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1915 Mercer Series 22-70 Sporting Chassis#:2236 Sold for $156,800 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction | |
1966 Aston Martin DB6 Sport Saloon Chassis#:DB6/2542/LN Sold for $156,800 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction | |
1973 Ford Bronco 'Coyote' Restomod Sold for $156,800 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction |
1937 Cord 812
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