The history of the 1936/1937 Cord 810/812 is interesting because they were front-wheel-drive unibody cars with concealed headlights, no running boards, and a pre-selector semi-automatic transmission in a time when those features weren’t the industry norm. The 1937 812 also was introduced the same year that Cord (as a whole) shut down forever. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that our Pick of the Day has its very own interesting history. You can find this 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman’s Convertible Coupe listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
The dealer’s history of this 812 goes back to the 1950s, when the supercharged Lycoming 289 V-8 was swapped out for an Oldsmobile engine. In 1962, a Massachusetts man by the name of Alphonse P. SanClemente purchased the car. He had difficulties sourcing an original Cord engine and transmission until 1966, when he found what he was looking for in an unrestored supercharged 812 Beverly sedan. “The restoration using the original 812SC engine and drivetrain was completed in time for the 1970 ACD Reunion in Auburn, Indiana. After driving 800 miles one way, he won 1st in class in the 810/812 Open division as well as the long distance driving award.”
The brown lacquer paint from the 1960s restoration remains, but over the last four years, numerous parts have been either rebuilt or replaced at a reported cost of more than $30,000. Highlights include:
- Complete rebuild of the shifting system, including a new harness, clutch switch, and solenoids
- Disassembly and cleaning of the transmission filter
- New brakes, including the shoes, cylinders, and wheel bearings
- New exhaust system
- New rewound coil and tune-up
- All fluids, including the correct SPO277 gear oil in the transmission
Even better, those updates have been tested out on the road. “I’ve personally driven over 200 trouble-free miles in this Cord. It starts easily hot or cold, steers and stops with confidence, charges strong, runs cool, and all gauges function properly.”
I’m so used to seeing 812s in shades of red or yellow, which look great on their bold curves, but this brown is a refreshing and attractive change of pace. Chromed external exhaust pipes coming out of the sides of the hood and wide-whitewall tires add pops of brightness. The tan interior is the perfect complement to the rich brown that surrounds it.
Yes, a lot has been changed on this 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Sportsman’s Convertible Coupe, but it still is equipped with a supercharged Cord engine and the distinctive styling that it came with from the factory. You can buy it for $149,500, then make your own history with it.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
