1937 Cord 812 Sportsman

Model: 812

Body Style: Sportsman

Engine: Supercharged in-line eight cylinder, L-head valve arrangement, 180 horsepower, 269 cubic inch displacement

Transmission: Three speeds forward, one reverse

Chassis: Steel, ladder construction

Wheelbase: 125”

Wheels: Steel Disc

Tires: 16”

Body Construction: Steel

Exterior Color: Yellow

Interior Color: Maroon

Errett Lobban “E. L.” Cord produced automobiles under the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Company brand and the first Cord was introduced at the 1929 New York Automobile Show. Cord automobiles were the first American production car to feature front wheel drive. This 1937 Cord 812 Sportsman has a reverse mounted eight-cylinder Lycoming engine, which connects to a trans-axle which powers the front wheels through an ingenious arrangement of flexible shafts which allow the front wheels not only to power the automobile but steer as well. The Cord’s design by Gordon Buehrig, proved too advanced for the average automobile buyer and by 1938, Cord was no longer building automobiles.

This 1937 Cord 812 Sportsman is an extremely well presented example of one of the most iconic American automobiles ever built. As a 1937 model, it benefits from the upgrades that were found necessary from the 1936 models and is therefore considered more desirable than those earlier versions. In addition to being a 1937 model, it is the two-passenger Sportsman version-the rarest of the four models produced and is equipped with the rare and much sought after factory installed supercharger which boosted the engines performance.

This example has been the recipient of a recent high point restoration to the strict standards of the prestigious Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club and has been certified as a Category One car by this organization. The Category One achievement is the highest certification level given to an Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg vehicle and designates the vehicle is completely authentic in all details and all of its major components such as engine, chassis and body are correct to the vehicle. Overall, this 1937 Cord 812 Sportsman is probably one of the nicest examples in existence. It is an extremely correct and original car that has been given an exacting restoration.