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1937 Cord 812SC Sportsman Convertible Coupe
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Views
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Date Posted
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77
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September 18, 2008
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Price
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Type Listing
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$236,500.00
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Auction Results
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Description:
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Offered For Sale at the:
RM Auction - Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall
August 6, 2005, Auburn Hills, Michigan
RM Auctions
One Classic Car Drive
Blenheim, Ontario
N0P 1A0 Canada
Phone: 519-352-4575
Website: www.rmauctions.com
1937 Cord 812SC Sportsman Convertible Coupe
LOT: 089
Estimate: $225,000-$275,000 US
Chassis No. 23379F
AUCTION RESULTS: Lot was Sold at a price of $236,500
190hp 269 cu. in. L-head V8 with centrifugal supercharger, front-wheel drive, four-speed preselector transmission, front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase: 125"
Errett Lobban Cord was only one of many earnest, skilled and dedicated entrepreneurs whose dream of establishing an automotive empire to rival Ford, GM and Chrysler was dashed. At one time E.L. Cord controlled the Checker and Yellow cab companies, Duesenberg, Lycoming, Stinson Aircraft and American Airways among a portfolio of 156 companies. A master salesman who worked his way up through the automobile business, the basis of Cord’s industrial empire was Auburn Manufacturing, which he acquired in 1924. He set to work to resuscitate Auburn and succeeded by creating a performance image that helped sell mundane, but profitable, sedans.
In 1929, Cord took Auburn to the next step, introducing the front wheel drive Auburn-derived automobile Cord named after himself, the Cord Front Drive – now commonly known as the L29 – with distinctive, sporting appearance and great performance for its price. Shortly thereafter the stock market crashed and with it the market for another Cord project, the Baby Duesenberg. Its distinctive styling provided the basis for a new mediumpriced front-wheel drive car from Cord, the 810.
The 810 was intended to restore Cord’s auto manufacturing operations to health, using the proven formula: styling, performance and reasonable price. In the process, Gordon Buehrig’s clean and unadorned coffin nosed, retractable headlight design would create a standard by which cars are still judged today. Powered by a Lycoming-built V8 engine, it created an instant sensation at its November 1935 introduction at the New York Auto Show, so much so that Cord could not meet demand.
The 1937 Cords, designated 812, were little changed cosmetically from 1936 models except for the supercharged engine option. Cord’s experience with Duesenberg, another of the Cord companies, made it relatively simple for them to add a Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger that provided a maximum of 6psi boost and increased the Lycoming V8’s power to between 185 and 195 horsepower. In September of 1937, a Cord crew driven by Ab Jenkins set 35 American stock car speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, certified by the AAA Contest Board, including 24 hours at an average speed (including stops) of 101.72 mile per hour.
Approximately 195 of these very attractive Convertible Coupes were built during the two year life of the Cord 810/812. Only 64, according to factory records, were supercharged, creating a rare and attractive combination of landmark styling, exceptional performance and open air motoring. The Convertible Coupe has come to be known as the Sportsman, even though that designation was never used by Cord. Its aptness is apparent from the stylish and sporting look of the car, aided by its folding top that completely disappears under the rear deck panel.
The outstanding Supercharged Sportsman offered here underwent a complete and comprehensive ground-up restoration in the mid1980s. When restored the car was simply gorgeous and received its Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Level 1 Certification as a correct and original Cord Automobile. The vendor reports that the certificate, along with any other related documentation will accompany the car in its sale.
In the late 1980s the car was sold to a Japanese collector who subsequently exported the Cord where it remained part of an important overseas collection. It was brought back to the United States in January of 2005 and was subsequently acquired by the current owner. An additional previous owner also includes collector Mr. George B. Ehresman, under whose ownership the Cord received its ACD paperwork.
Finished in black and fitted with a matching black leather interior, the car when restored was also equipped with an exact copy of a Cord Sportsman rumble seat, as fitted to car number 102. While this Cord was restored some 20 years now, it is still an impressive example car that looks quite fresh – a testament to the quality of the restoration. As an addition to any collection this, the most desirable of Cords, should prove to be a sound investment as they have continued to incrementally appreciate over the last several years.
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1937 Cord 812SC Sportsman Convertible Coupe
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Registered: April 2008
Location: Woodstock, GA