Cord

The Cord Corporation, founded in Indiana by E.L. Cord, manufactured autos from 1929 to 1932, and again from 1936 to 1937. The Cord Corporation was a subsidiary of the Auburn Automobile Corporation. Sleek design and imaginative engineering notwithstanding, Cord would never attain widespread commercial success. However, vintage Cord cars are still celebrated by automotive enthusiasts for their stylishness and singularity.

The Cord L-29, introduced in 1929, was an excellent exemplar of the Cord Corporation’s commitment to technological innovation, as it was the first publicly available front-wheel drive car in America. At the New York Auto Show in 1936, Cord stunned onlookers with the 810 model, which boasted a V8 engine. Sixty years later, the Cord 810 sedan won the prestigious distinction of “The Single Most Beautiful American Car,” as judged by American Heritage magazine. In 1937, the 810 was updated as the 812 model, and available as a sedan, coupe, or convertible coupe (a.k.a. Sportsman). In addition, some of the 812s were styled as chrome-laden “supercharged” models.

The Cord 810/812 endures as a highly sought-after classic collector car, and is given a certified designation of “Full Classic” by the Classic Car Club of America. A 1937 Cord 812 Westchester is one of the many gems of late-night funnyman Jay Leno’s expansive classic auto collection.