1936 Cord 810 Beverly Sedan

The new car caused a sensation at the 1936 New York Auto Show in November. The crowds around the 810 were so dense, attendees stood on the bumpers of nearby cars to get a look. This was the car of the future. The body design of the Cord 810 was the work of designer Gordon M. Buehrig and his team of stylists. Nearly devoid of chrome, the new car was so low that it required no running boards. Pontoon fenders, wraparound grille and concealed headlights were featured. Its engine-turned aircraft-style dashboard featured a tachometer and built-in radio. Mechanically the car was innovative with front-wheel-drive, a pre-select gear transmission, and a Lycoming engine with performance to match its looks.

Although it was designed and built on a very limited budget during the Great Depression, the 810 sported a few distinctive features and industry firsts, including the 'alligator' hood hinged at the rear, lateral louvers in place of a traditional upright radiator, hidden door hinges, and concealed headlights.

The 125-inch wheelbase was made possible by the 289 cubic-inch 90-degree V-8 Lycoming engine that was specifically revised for front-wheel drive and produced around 125 horsepower. The 1937 models - known as 812s - would offer an optional centrifugal supercharger, producing 195 horsepower.

Other features included a four-speed transmission, a Stromberg dual-downdraft carburetor with a new type of automatic choke, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, and a four-speed pre-selector Bendix transmission with vacuum/electric shifting.

Cord produced around 3,000 of the 810 and 812 models; it is estimated that approximately two-thirds of those cars survive today.

This vehicle is a 1936 Cord 812 Beverly owned by the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Museum. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum is located in Auburn, Indiana, in the company's magnificent block long art-deco showroom. This example once belonged to its designer, Gordon Buehrig.