Rare 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton (w/ startup)

A rare white 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton arriving at and leaving the Early Rodders Car Meet at United Artists Theatres. Introduced at the 1935 New York Auto Show, the 810/812 was first American car with both front-wheel drive and independent front suspension. It featured styling by Gordon Miller Buehrig with numerous innovative and unique elements including a wraparound grille with horizontal louvers (commonly known as the "coffin nose"), a rear-hinged hood, hidden door hinges, and an absence of running boards. It was also the first car to feature pop-up/hidden headlights. Due to mechanical problems and reliability issues, sales were lower than expected and some 1936 810s were re-numbered and sold as 1937 812s. Around 2,900 examples of the 810/812 were built before production ceased in 1937.

If I didn't know better, I would have assumed this car was some sort of custom hot rod. Look up pictures of just about any other car from 1936-1937 and you'll instantly see why the Cord 810/812's design was so ahead of its time. That "coffin nose" is controversial but certainly unique especially in a time when cars typically had tall upright radiator grilles. Combine that with the concealed headlamps and you have something unlike anything else on the road and something that's still instantly recognizable even today. This example frequently appears at this early morning gathering, and I'm glad its owner enjoys putting miles on it!

Do you like the unique "Coffin Nose" styling of the Cord 810/812? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!