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1937 Cord 810

The Gordon Buehrig-designed Cord 812 used the only front-wheel-drive system for a major automobile company at the time. This concept had been pioneered on the Miller race cars, but Cord's application in a production car took it to new levels. The front-wheel drive configuration accommodated a low ground clearance allowing for the removal of running boards, and offered better handling and performance. There was an independent front suspension when most cars of the era still used a straight axle. The forward-thinking and unique design elements included hidden headlights, concealed door hinges and fuel filler door, menacing dual exhaust pipes exited the sides of the hood, devoid of jewelry or embellishments, and clean and unbroken lines. While most automobiles of the era used an intake vacuum windshield wiper system which often stopped when the driver stepped on the gas pedal, the Cord used variable-speed windshield wipers. The engine-turned dashboard housed complete instrumentation, including a tachometer and standard radio.

Gordon Buehrig was one of the premier designers of cars during the pinnacle of the Classic Era. His talents were utilized early, and at the age of 25, he was chief body designer for Duesenberg. His designs graced the Model J, arguably one of the most elegant and beautiful cars ever built. He also did work for General Motors, Packard, and Stutz. In his later years, Buehrig taught at the Art Center College of Design, and he even launched a limited-production car in 1979.

E.L. Cord was a talented salesman who quickly rose through the ranks in the automobile business. During his career, he controlled the Auburn and Duesenberg automobile companies, along with Lycoming, Stinson Aircraft and American Airways, Checker and Yellow cab companies. In total, his portfolio included 156 companies, with the basis of his industrial empire being Auburn manufacturing, which he acquired in 1924. He successfully resuscitated the ailing Auburn company by creating a performance image that helped sell mundane but profitable sedans. In 1929, he introduced the front-wheel-drive Auburn-derived automobile with his namesake, the Cord Front Drive, commonly known as the L29.

The Cord L29 had a distinctive and sporting appearance with equally impressive mechanical prowess. Shortly after its introduction, the stock market crashed, crippling the luxury automobile segment. E.L Cord's response to the declining economy was to build a 'baby Duesenberg' designed by Buehrig. It was a new medium-priced front-wheel-drive car called the 1936 Cord Model 810. This new model was intended to be the company's savior, and restore the manufacturing operations to full health. The formula incorporated style, performance, and affordability. The new model had a low profile unibody with a clean and unadorned coffin-nose styling with retractable headlights. Power was supplied by a Lycoming V8 engine.

The Cord 810 differed from its L-29 predecessor by virtue of its four-speed, pre-selector electric gearbox, and more compact Lycoming V-8 engine. The engine was positioned further back in the chassis resulting in improved balance. The normally aspirated version delivered 125 horsepower or 170 bhp when fitted with a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger. The wheelbase measured 125 inches and body styles included the sedan priced at $1,995, the Beverly sedan at $2,095, the Sportsman at $2,145, and the Phaeton at $2,195.

The new Cord 810 was introduced in November of 1935 at the New York Auto Show. The demand quickly outpaced production, but by this point in history, the Cord Corporation was in deep financial trouble. A re-designated Model 812 was introduced for 1937 when custom sedans on a longer wheelbase joined the range. Supercharging was made available on the 1937 812 models, and these can be distinguished from the normally aspirated 812s by the chrome-plated external exhaust pipes mounted on each side of the hood and grille. It had the same 125-inch wheelbase and body styles as the 810. With a price tag of $2,000 to $3,000, the 810/812 should have been a big success for the company, but this was not to be. When Mr. Cord sold the company in August of 1937, it spelled the end not just for Cord, but for Duesenberg and Auburn as well. In total, fewer than 3,000 examples of the 810/812s were built.

Early Cord 810/812 models suffered from reliability issues, including vapor lock and slipping out of gear. 1936 Cord 810 models that were unsold were re-numbered and sold as 1937 Cord 812 models.

The 812 sedan was $2,445, the Beverly sedan at $2,545, the sportsman at $2,585, and the phaeton at $2,645. Two additional body styles on a 132-inch wheelbase were offered on the Cord 812, including the $2,960 Custom Beverly and the $3,060 Custom Berline.

The American automotive industry would not embrace another front-wheel-drive automobile until 1966, with the introduction of the Oldsmobile Toronado, followed by another General Motors vehicle, the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado. Both the Toronado and the Eldorado were built atop GM's E-body platform and also incorporated hidden headlamps.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

Designed by the legendary car designer Gordon Buehrig, the Cord 810 created a sensation when it debuted at the 1935 New York Auto Show. Also known as the Baby Duesenberg, Cord attempted to market a car priced between Auburn and Duesenberg. Sadly, Cord's finances couldn't match Buehrig's incredible design and the 810/812 Cord lasted only two years. There were approximately 3,000 Cord 810 and 812s produced over two years. With a selling price of around $2,000, Cords could not compete with models from GM and Ford, where engineering costs could be spread across a much larger number of cars produced. In 1937, the ACD Automobile Company went out of business, yet another casualty of the Great Depression.

Today, the Museum of Modern Art has named the 810/812 as one of the top ten finest industrial styles of all time. The Gordon Buehrig design is sleek, low, and devoid of running boards, the door hinges and headlights are concealed, the fenders pontoon to surround a wrap-around grill, and the dashboard is in an aircraft style. The mechanics are equally unique with front-wheel drive and a Lycoming 288 cubic-inch 125 horsepower engine.

This particular example initially appeared as the featured 1938 Auburn exhibition car at the big 1938 auto show in eastern Canada. It was sold at the 1938 Canadian show and was subsequently owned by several owners until 1970, when it made its way to Vancouver and then on to the state of Washington. It was acquired by the current owners in Hanford, Washington, and driven East to Wisconsin during snowstorms in November, towing a U-Haul trailer loaded with spare parts.

A repair was accomplished after the left front fender was damaged from a run-in with an elk during the cross-country trip. Many accretions (push button doors, etc.) were added by various owners, and these have since been removed. Restoration to original specifications commenced in 1971 and was completed in 2010. Lavine Restorations, Inc. in Nappanee, Indiana, did the final restoration.

The Cord was part of the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg trinity. Thus their similarities in vehicle design. These three firms also owned the Lycoming engine manufacturing company. This company supplied the 289 cubic-inch V8 engine that gave this vehicle life. The engine was rated at 125 horsepower, with the supercharger, the horsepower increased to 170 bhp. The 125hp engine was capable of 90 miles-per-hour with a zero-to-sixty rating of about 20 seconds. A four-speed pre-selector was used, and the wheels were fitted with drum brakes.

The Gordon Beuhrig design is very classic, clean, and inspired by aviation. The hood was called the 'Coffin Nose' look for obvious reasons. The hood, when opened, would open upwards. The windshield was split in the middle and was small in comparison to other vehicles. This was due to the room needed by the massive V8. The front had a chrome bumper and a wrap-around grill. Two lights were attached to the bumper and two retractable lights were hidden in the front wheel covers.

Production began for the Cords in 1936, and sales were steady. However, the company itself was not doing as well. The industry was very tough during that era due to many obstacles including stiff competition and a poor economy.

In 1937 the car was renamed to the 812 and included a few modifications. The 812S was supercharged and had chromed exhaust pipes attached to the side. It was too little, too late. Production ceased later that year due to the company's financial problems.

by Dan Vaughan