1937 Cord 812 Armored Beverly Sedan

This 1937 Cord 812 Armored Beverly Bustleback Sedan is one of 235 examples produced in 1937, one of two with dual spare tire holders in the front fenders, and the only armored Cord produced. It was built especially for the State of Louisiana for the use of high-ranking government officials.

This Beverley Sedan is based on a 132-inch wheelbase unitized body with a bolt-on front sub-frame. Front suspension is independent, and the rear uses a transverse leaf spring setup with parallel semi-elliptic leaf springs, and both front and rear are controlled by hydraulic lever-arm shock absorbers. Stopping power is by 10-inch Bendix hydraulic drum brakes. The 16-inch Cord-designed wheels with large chrome-plated wheel covers are wrapped with 6.50-16 white sidewall tires. The Lycoming-built 288.6 cubic-inch L-head V8 engine offers 125 horsepower at 3,500 RPM. The unique front-wheel drive unit combines the transmission and differential into a single assembly with four forward speeds and one reverse. Shifting is via a Bendix pre-selector vacuum/electric-switch mechanism controlled by a small lever on the steering column. The pontoon-style front fenders house disappearing headlamps operated by a crank and cable mechanism on each side of the instrument panel. The light assemblies were based on a design used on the Stinson aircraft landing lights. The front doors are rear-hinged and the alligator-type hood is equipped with seven rows of louvers rather than a more common radiator grille.

This vehicle is finished in silver and the interior is finished in blue cloth with light gray trim. It resided in Louisiana as part of the U.S. Coast Guard through 1951, where it is believed to have served as transportation for high-ranking government officials and members of Congress. In June 1972, it was sold to a Canadian collector in Amherst, Nova Scotia, where it remained until 1989, when it was sold to another collector in British Columbia who restored it to the highest level and sold the Cord to its current owner.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2021