1937 Cord 812 Phaeton

Description

Few automobiles have left their mark on the automotive world as the 1936-37 Cord. Built by the Auburn Automobile Company, the 1937 Cord 812 was a continuation of the groundbreaking 810 model introduced in 1936, one of the most innovative and visually striking American automobiles of its era. Designed by Gordon Buehrig, the car featured a sleek, low-slung body with hidden headlights, no running boards, and a distinctive “coffin nose” grille — styling elements that were decades ahead of their time and a classic icon of Art Deco design.

Mechanically, the 812 retained the front-wheel-drive layout of the 810, which Cord helped pioneer in the U.S. in the 1929 L-29 model. However, it introduced several refinements to address reliability issues, particularly with the pre-selector manual transmission. Most notable was the availability of a supercharged version of the 288 cu-in V8 built by aircraft manufacturer Lycoming (part of E.L. Cord’s empire), which boosted performance and added dramatic external exhaust pipes along the sides of the hood.

Cord offered the 812 in various body styles, including sedans, convertibles, and the elegant Phaeton. Despite its advanced engineering and stunning design, the Great Depression limited sales and Cord produced approximately 1,764 units of the Cord 812 before production ended on 7 August 1937— that date marking the demise of all Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles.

Major art museums have recognized the 1937 Cord 812 not just as an automobile, but as a masterpiece of industrial design and Art Deco sculpture. In 1951, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, included the Cord 812 in its landmark exhibition “Eight Automobiles”, which celebrated automotive design as fine art. Curator Arthur Drexler declared, “We regard the Cord as the outstanding American contribution to automobile design.”

Highlights

• Rare (612 built) and elegant Cord 812 Phaeton

• Finished in correct Cigarette Cream with dark burgundy leather upholstery

• Beige canvas convertible top

• Powered by the standard non-supercharged 288 cu-in Lycoming V8 engine producing around 125 hp

• Four-speed pre-selector gearbox operated via a dashboard lever

• Front-wheel drive

Features

• Classic Car Club of America "Full Classic"

• Hidden headlights

• Independent front suspension

• No running boards

• Step-down unibody design

• Hidden door hinges

• Vented wheel covers

• Firestone whitewall tires

Known Imperfections

• A hairline crack in the right front fender-well. No change in the crack noted since 2012.

• The vacuum windshield wipers are not currently functioning.

Included

• Copy of the book Cord Complete, Story of the Models 810 and 812.

• Custom Car Cover.

Ownership History

The consignor acquired this 1937 Cord in March 2012 at the Amelia Concours d’Elegance. At that time, the car was said to have been restored in the late 1990’s. They have maintained and improved the Cord with the assistance of Mr. David Prueitt of Prueitt Auto Restorations in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. They assert, “The car has been known for a factory assembly line error due to the chassis number indicating a Westchester Sedan. This error was debunked in Cord Historian Josh Malk’s book entitled Cord Complete, Story of the Models 810 and 812. In his book, Mr. Malk stated that the engine “FB2003” is in an unspecified, un-supercharged Phaeton. An interesting side note, the Cord Phaeton bearing engine number “FB2008”, belonged to Amelia Earhart. A copy of Mr. Malk’s book will come with the car.”

It should be noted the late owner was beginning the process to have the car ACD Certified.