Make: Cord
Model: 812 Supercharged Cabriolet
Price: $99,900 USD
Color: Cigarette Cream
Interior Color: Black Leather
Gearbox: 4-Speed Manual (Electrically Pre-Selected)
The 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet, often called the "Sportsman Convertible Coupe," is one of the most innovative and visually striking American cars of the pre-war era. Produced by the Auburn Automobile Company under E.L. Cord, the Cord 810/812 series revolutionized automotive design with groundbreaking features that remain iconic today.
Designed by Gordon Buehrig, the Cord's sleek, coffin-nose front end eliminated the traditional upright grille. It featured hidden, manually retractable headlamps, creating an aerodynamic profile. The unibody construction, flowing fenders, concealed door hinges, wraparound bumpers, and low stance gave it a European flair, ahead of its time.
Beneath the surface, the Cord 810/812 had front-wheel drive paired with a 4-speed electrically pre-selected manual transmission, allowing gear shifts via a steering column selector before engaging the clutch. This innovative setup improved weight distribution and ride quality.
This example is one of the rarest and most desirable body styles, equipped with a factory-style Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger. It boosts the Lycoming V8 engine to 190 horsepower. The engine, number FC2737, delivers spirited performance characteristic of supercharged Cord models.
Finished in Cigarette Cream with a black leather interior and matching black cloth convertible top, this Cord has been built and restored by a Cord specialist in Brazil, using original cars sourced from the United States. It is a well-executed example of this rare configuration.
Additional features include:
- 4-speed electrically shifted pre-select transmission
- Hidden manually operated headlamps
- Philco AM radio (currently inoperative)
- Engine-turned aluminum dashboard with full instrumentation
- Rearview mirror with integrated map light
- 6.50-16 Lester Tire Co. wide whitewall tires
- Full chrome wheel covers
This Cord comes from the Terrance Adderley Collection of Bloomfield, Michigan, where it has resided since 2013 among a curated group of Cord automobiles and other classics.
Upon arrival at the St. Louis Car Museum, the vehicle received comprehensive servicing to ensure reliable operation. Work included rebuilding the transmission oil pump, replacing transmission gaskets, installing a new brake master cylinder, performing a full brake service and fluid flush, changing engine and transmission fluids, replacing spark plugs and wires, installing a new fuel filter, rebuilding the Stromberg carburetor, and fitting a new exhaust system from the manifolds rearward.
Today, this 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet offers a rare opportunity to own one of the most distinctive and technologically advanced American classics. Its rare body style, supercharged performance, and iconic design make it a standout for concours, touring events, or a distinguished collection.
