1936 Cord 810 Convertible Phaeton Sedan

Gordon M. Buehrig and his team of stylists, which included Alex Tremulis and Vince Gardner, bestowed radical new styling to the Cord 810 with hidden (pop-up) headlights and a so-called 'coffin nose' front end with horizontal louvers. The front-mounted Lycoming V8 engine displaced 289 cubic inches (4,739cc) and offered 125 horsepower - the same amount as the front-wheel-drive Cord L-29. Also employing front-wheel drive, the Cord 810 was the first American FWD car with an independent front suspension setup. The engine was paired with a semi-automatic four-speed transmission positioned at the front of the engine.

Without a driveshaft and transmission tunnel, the bodies of the Cord 810 rested low on the 125-inch wheelbase. In 1936, body styles included a sedan, a Beverly sedan, a Sportsman, and a Phaeton.

This particular example is an early example - the twenty-first Phaeton produced. It has correct early-production features that include 'onboard' tail lights in the rear deck lid and early-style glove box doors.

This Cord's first recorded owner was Carl Elmendorf of Rochester, New York, in 1962. At some point, the car received a later replacement engine, number FB 2582. It was subsequently acquired by George Gallo of nearby Elmira, who undertook a meticulous restoration in the authentic Cord color scheme of Palm Beach Tan with a maroon leather interior and a black top bound in maroon, accessorized with radio and amber fog lights.

Following its restoration, the Cord was shown in ACD Club competition at the Annual Reunion in Auburn, Indiana, earning Mr. Gallo the Bill Bocock Award for the best owner restoration in 1995. The following year, it won the Gordon Buehrig Award for Best 810/812. In 2004, it achieved its Grand National First Prize.

Mr. Gallo sold his Cord to Jack Buchanan of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who fitted seatbelts for road touring. In 2012, it was sold to the Gateway Automobile Museum and remained on display in the collection for over a decade.

This early 810 Cord has been driven 1,999 miles since the restoration was completed.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023