1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman

The two-passenger C91 convertible coupe was a vision of speed, youth, and style. This particular Supercharged Sportsman Convertible Coupe is finished in burgundy and one of 64 convertible coupes produced with the Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger. The Lycoming-built 288.6 cubic-inch L-head V8 engine produces 170 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. It uses a single dual-downdraft Stromberg AA-25 carburetor, Bohnalite finned cast aluminum cylinder heads, and flexible bright outside exhaust pipes exit the hood fence on both sides. The final drive unit is a 4-speed transmission with an overdrive fourth gear operated by a Bendix vacuum/electric system and a small lever on the side of the steering column.

The interior of this 1937 Cord 812 is trimmed in pleated tan leather on the seats and door panels, and maroon wool carpeting covers the floors. The tan convertible top folds into a hidden compartment covered by a flush-mounted cover behind the seats.

Steve's Auto Restoration in Portland, Oregon, gave this Cord a restoration, and afterward, it was awarded First Prize at the Portland Forest Grove Concours d'Elegance and achieved Best of Show honors the following year.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2021