The Cord 810 was introduced in late 1935 for the 1936 model year and returned for 1937 as the 812 before the Auburn Automobile Company ceased manufacture of the Cord marque. Styling was provided by Gordon Buehrig and includes a “coffin-nose” front profile with a louvered wraparound grille, a rear-hinged hood, hideaway headlights raised via dash-mounted hand cranks, concealed door hinges, and a split windshield.
The two-door convertible phaeton was among six body styles offered in 1937, and…
The Cord 810 was introduced in late 1935 for the 1936 model year and returned for 1937 as the 812 before the Auburn Automobile Company ceased manufacture of the Cord marque. Styling was provided by Gordon Buehrig and includes a “coffin-nose” front profile with a louvered wraparound grille, a rear-hinged hood, hideaway headlights raised via dash-mounted hand cranks, concealed door hinges, and a split windshield.
The two-door convertible phaeton was among six body styles offered in 1937, and this example’s coachwork was repainted in Cigarette Cream during the 1990s refurbishment. Work during the project also included re-plating of the brightwork and replacement of the windshield. Chips are noted in areas of the paintwork. The black convertible top can be stowed under a body-color tonneau panel.
Body-color steel wheels wear chromed covers and are wrapped in 6.50-16 Goodyear Deluxe All Weather wide-whitewall tires, as is a matching spare mounted in the trunk. Stopping is handled by four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, while suspension incorporates a trailing-arm independent front setup with a transverse leaf spring and a solid rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs.
The cabin is trimmed in burgundy leather over two rows of seating as well as over the door panels and rear side panels. Additional interior features include color-mached carpeting, roll-up side windows, retractable rear quarter windows, dual lockable gloveboxes, a heater, and a rotary-dial radio.
The three-spoke steering wheel shares its column with a Bendix “electric hand” gear selector at the driver’s right and sits ahead of a body-color dash. A machine-turned dash fascia houses a 120-mph speedometer, a 5k-rpm tachometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and amperage. The five-digit odometer shows 5,600 miles, approximately 100 of which have been added under current ownership. True mileage is unknown.
The naturally aspirated 289ci Lycoming V8 features three main bearings, aluminum cylinder heads, side valves angled at a near-horizontal position, and a single downdraft carburetor. An engine overhaul during the 1990s refurbishment included welding repairs to the block and grinding of the camshaft. A replacement wiring harness was installed under previous ownership, while an electric fuel pump was added under current ownership along with six-volt solid-state headlight relays.
Power is transferred to the front wheels by a Detroit Gear four-speed transaxle mounted ahead of the engine. Gear changes are preselected via the column-mounted electrical switch and are set into action when the depression of the clutch pedal completes the electrical circuit that actuates vacuum cylinders on the transaxle unit. The shift interlock switch is said to have been updated during the 1990s refurbishment, which also included the installation of modified CV joints and axles designed by Lee Richardson. The shift solenoids are said to have been rebuilt under current ownership, during which the muffler was replaced.
A collection of invoices and other records is included in the sale, as are an owner’s manual, a service manual, and uninstalled ACD and CCCA badges.