1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton

When Cord designed its 812 Phaeton, it diverged from the path of its peers and created a car with minimalist lines, devoid of unnecessary chrome, and ostentatious adornments. Built by the Central Manufacturing Company in Connersville, Indiana, this car is one of a total of 1,146 model 812s built. The Cord 812 ran a V8 engine with a unique front-wheel-drive system and an innovative preselector shift control mounted on the steering column. Its sophisticated and pioneering mechanics made for an outstanding automobile that was nimble and fun to drive.

This 1937 Cord was a harbinger of cars of the future - front-wheel-drive, front-engine, and compact with clean lines - exactly like the cars driven on modern roadways.

Errett Lobban Cord was a race car driver, mechanic, and automobile salesman before being recruited to save the floundering Auburn Automobile Company in 1924. Within four years, he had resurrected the company and held a controlling interest in Auburn. His portfolio continued to grow, eventually adding ownership of Lycoming, Duesenberg, American Airways, and the Checker and Yellow Cab Companies among his 156 holdings.

In 1929, Cord was aided by Harry Miller in bringing about the front-wheel drive L29. Sales were initially strong, but when the Stock Market crashed, Cord responded, working with Gordon Buehrig, a new medium-priced front-wheel drive car was introduced in 1936 dubbed the Model 810. It continued to use the formula of attractive styling, a reasonable price, and exceptional performance. The public agreed, and, before long, the Cord factory had been restored to full production once again.

With the help of a Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger, the Lycoming L-head 288.6 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine offered nearly 200 horsepower and was paired with a four-speed electric pre-selector transmission. The 125-inch wheelbase platform was suspended by an independent front suspension, and braking was handled by four-wheel hydraulic drums. Design features and technical innovations included unibody construction over a subframe, fingertip shifting control, mechanically operated disappearing headlamps, front-wheel drive, and an iconic 'coffin-nose' hood. There were floating front fenders, flush-mounted lamps, and enter-hinged doors with concealed hinges.

This particular example is a Phaeton equipped with a supercharger.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2024