1937 Cord 812: A Rare Automotive Gem
Feast your eyes on this dazzling 1937 Cord 812, one of the exclusive few—fewer than 50, to be exact—crafted during its only year of production. Among those, it’s a member of the ultra-elite club of 12 fitted with a central vanity and an elegant roll-up glass partition. Before finding its current illustrious home in 2016, it flaunted its pedigree under the ownership of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Company’s president, Doug Pray. A recent meticulous makeover from 2016 to 2019 transformed it into what you see today, even earning it an award at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival that same year.
Engineering Marvels and Show-Stopping Features
This automotive masterpiece, gracefully perched on a 132-inch wheelbase, gleams in pristine white while purring with the power of a 288ci Lycoming V8 engine. What makes this engine roar is a Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger that propels the front wheels via a cutting-edge vacuum-operated four-speed transaxle. Hello Fiat Punto!
But we mustn’t forget the bells and whistles: from the independent front suspension and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes to those iconic manually-operated pop-up headlights and amber-lens fog lights. Inside, you’re enveloped in tan leather upholstery and serenaded by a classic radio experience.
A Nod to the Cord 810 Legacy
Let’s wind back the clock a little to late 1935, when the Cord 810 swaggered into the scene with the 1936 model. The brainchild of Gordon Buehrig, it boasted a sleek “coffin-nose” – a front profile that commanded attention, complete with a louvered wraparound grille and a chic rear-hinged hood. By 1937, and now reborn as the 812, the Cord continued its runway run with new Custom body styles. They boasted an elongated 132-inch wheelbase and intriguing design tweaks.
An interesting fact: The Cord 810 and 812 were some of the first mass-produced cars with front-wheel drive, a trait admired in designs like Audi.
Preservation and Restoration
This particular beauty, harking back to its factory allure in iconic white, received its cosmetic rebirth under the skilled hands at Mayhorn’s Restoration from 2016 to 2019. Classic car aficionados will appreciate its B-pillar hinged doors, adorned chrome bumpers, and that tasteful integrated trunk.
- Authentic chrome covers with Goodyear wide-whitewall tires.
- Hydraulic drum brakes ensuring safe stops.
- A rear-fender stone guard for those subtle luxury hints.
Inside the Luxurious Cabin
Step into the cabin, where elegance meets functionality. The tan leather-trimmed interiors house both front and rear bench seats, separated by a chic divider panel. You’ll find painted rear vanity panels, roll-up glass partitions, and, let’s not forget, the indispensable intercom for seamless communication with the chauffeur. Oh, the luxury!
To top it off—an intercom system was quite the advanced tech gadget for its time, offering backseat passengers the power to communicate with the driver without raising their voice.
Performance that Packs a Punch
Underneath it all, the 288ci V8 engine hums with poise and power, echoing through aluminum cylinder heads and a Stromberg carburetor. Paired with its Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger, it boasts a factory-rating of 170 horsepower.
The handiness doesn’t end there. Transmission enthusiasts will adore its Detroit Gear four-speed manual transaxle, which smartly employs electrically preselected gears.
In Summary
Owning a piece like the 1937 Cord 812 is less about the drive and more about the statement it makes, reflecting both innovation and luxury. It flaunts its historical roots while whispering secrets of past adventures. The story of this Cord 812 isn’t just in its specs but in its continuous allure, as destined to be admired by generations to come.
