The 1936-37 Cord 810/812 models were remarkable accomplishments. Working on a tight schedule with limited funds, Cord‘s designers and engineers created some of the most visually and mechanically distinctive American cars of all time. However, given the Beverly and Westchester sedans’ second-row dimensions and relatively high prices, Cord decided it needed larger, roomier cars with more luxury features. That led to the creation of the 1937 Cord 812 Custom Berline models.
Photo courtesy of The Old Car Manual Project
To make both front and rear passengers more comfortable, Cord gave the Berline a longer 132-inch wheelbase, a seven inch increase compared to the regular models (it also built long-wheelbase Beverly sedans). Two of those inches benefited the people riding in the first row; the remainder gave those in the back more room to stretch their legs, according to the book “Cord 810/812: The Timeless Classic” by Josh B. Malks. There was also more cargo room thanks to a bustleback rear end. A subtle distinguishing trait is the Berline’s grille louvers: regular Cords have seven, but the Berlines have eight.
Photo courtesy of The Old Car Manual Project
Promotional materials show that upholstery options included broadcloth for both rows or leather in the front and broadcloth in the back. But by far the most distinctive feature of the Berline’s interior was the partition between the first and second rows. The most basic version had a manual crank that lowered the partition window and allowed everyone in the car to communicate as normal; those who wanted a chauffeur to drive could buy the deluxe version with cabinetry, radio speaker, intercom for communicating with the driver, vanity, and cigarette case (of course — it was the ’30s, after all). Designer Alex Tremulis, who replaced Gordon Buehrig after he left Cord in 1936, traveled 1,000 miles to three cities in 20 hours in search of a rear ashtray to use in the Berline but ultimately chose one from the Auburn parts bin. Other in-house components were the bezels for the regular sedans’ dome lights, which were filled with cloth and made into the Berline’s rear speaker and intercom.
Photo courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automotive Museum states that “a total of 48 Custom Berlines were produced of which … 21 sported a supercharged engine” Only 27 are known to exist today, nine of which have the supercharged Lycoming 289ci V-8.
Ultimately, the 1937 Cord 812 Custom Berline failed to keep Cord alive because E.L. Cord himself shut the company down that year. To add insult to injury, Gordon Buehrig despised the looks of the long-wheelbase Cords and only worked on them because it was his job. According to Malks, Buehrig never voluntarily talked about the Custom models or referred to them in his books or articles.
