Four years after the L29 was introduced, the front wheel drive Cord was back with the Model 810. The “coffin nose” styling by Gordon Buehrig made the Cord 810 perhaps the single most instantly recognizable car in the history of the American automobile. Buehrig designed the Auburn Boat Tail Speedster, Cord 810, and Duesenberg Model J all before he was 31.
The Lycoming engine company was owned by Cord Corporation, so it is not surprising that the Model 810 of 1936 was powered by Lycoming’s 125 horsepower (hp) V-8, which did not change for the Model 812 in 1937, though a mechanical supercharger did become available. The supercharger boosted horsepower to 190. The Model 812, known as a baby Duesenburg, could achieve a top speed of 112 mph with 0-60 acceleration in 13.2 seconds.
This was the first car to have retractable head lights and a semi-automatic shift. This particular Model 812 Cord is unique for being right-hand drive. It is 1 of approximately 50 right hand drive 1937 Model 812’s produced. This car was also the first to have a Philco brand radio.
