Ignacio Saenz de Camara
Let's do a little history before starting to talk about this Cord 812 Phaeton. After the astute seller Errett Lobban Cord bought the company in 1925 Auburn, which had been manufacturing automobiles since 1904 and was bankrupt, in just four years he reorganized the company and launched new models with attractive lines at competitive prices. Such was its success that the brand Auburn climbed positions in the market. In 1931, it ranked thirteenth in sales, with 36.148 examples of attractively designed automobiles.
With a sale price ranging from 945 and $ 1.395, the 1931 Auburn range offered seven bodies and two trim levels. All of them were powered by a 8 cm in-line 4.405-cylinder engine.3, which yielded 98 CV.
Together with the Auburns, Errett Lobban Cord created the brand that bore his last name in 1929, aimed at a refined clientele. The first model of him, the L29, appeared in 1929, it was front-wheel drive and its engine had 8 cylinders in line and 4.934 cm3.
THE RENAISSANCE OF CORD
After the Cord L 29 was discontinued in 1932, the collapse in sales was not due to the Great Depression. The reason lay in the front-wheel drive, since the public distrusted a type of transmission so far from the ordinary. However, Errett L. Cord took advantage of a design by August Duesenberg and Gordon Buehrig in 1935. This was originally conceived for the signature Duesenberg, but that he appropriated it with the aim of relaunching the brand that bore his last name.
That new model was corduroy 810, who premiered a self-supporting body and kept the transmission to the front axle. Its engine was a 8 cm V4.7333 and 125 CV, which had a range made up of four different types of bodywork.
Offered in Westchester sedan, Beverly sedan, cabriolet and phaeton body styles, prices varied between 1.995 and $ 2.195, figures that placed them in the upper middle category. In addition to the striking aesthetics of the bodywork, the Cord 810 remained faithful to the front-wheel drive and incorporated a Bendix gearbox, fitted with an electromagnetic preselector.
To engage a gear, you had to move a small lever located to the right of the steering column, depress the clutch pedal, and release it. The march was inserted in this last process, without the slightest creak and completely smooth.
THE CORD 812 OF 1937
After having manufactured and sold a total of 1.174 units of the 810, in the autumn of 1936 the Cord 812 was presented. With a similar body, its most important difference lay in the option that allowed the incorporation of a schwitzer cummins compressor, which provided an impressive increase in maximum power up to 190 CV SAE at 4.200 laps.
However, this specimen complies with the 8 cm Lycoming V4.733 engine3, which gets a respectable 125 SAE hp at 3.600 revs. Thanks to its power, it achieved a top speed of 150 km/h. And its acceleration was also considerable, since it went from 0 to 96 km/h in 20,1 seconds, meritorious with its empty weight of 1.777 kilograms.
FROM HERSHEY
This particular specimen was bought at Hershey's, North American town in the state of Pennsylvania where it takes place every year in October and since 1957 the largest fair in the world. The seller had pulled from an Alabama farm and it was acquired in 2007 by a Spanish fan, who brought it back as it was and commissioned the Asturian professional Ernesto Argüelles to restore it.
Once finished restoring down to the last detail, in 2010 he enrolled in the Madrid Elegance Contest. In fair measure, the evident attractiveness of its bodywork and its impeccable condition helped it to win the Audience Award.
However, the crisis viciously affected its owner in 2012. That summer we received a call and the photographic report had to be carried out urgently, because in a week this Cord was going to the garage of his new german owner.
A LOOK OUTSIDE
When we look at the front, the raised and “U” shape of the front volume draws attention. The seven horizontal slats also make an impact, which add brightness and aggressiveness to a grille set back and separated from both wheel arches.
Likewise, in individual fins with rounded contours, the slits of the retractable headlights. Undoubtedly an aesthetic license that was certainly innovative at the time. For its part, the windshield with central separation highlights the shine of its chrome frame, in tune with the metallic shine of the bumpers, locks and rear-view mirror.
SPLENDID CABIN
When we open the suicide door of the Cord 812, we can see some seats and upholstery with red colored leather. In contrast, the silver splendor of the dashboard and the black tone of the steering wheel and the two glove compartments protected with a key.
Access to driving position is simple, thanks to the opening angle of the door. And once on board, the cushioning of the seat and the corresponding adjustment knob are appreciated, which allows the precise distance behind the wheel to be set.
Similarly, the dashboard makes a splash, both for its careful style and for including a generous and unusual instrumentation in American cars of those years. In addition to having a speedometer and rev counter, it includes a huge oil pressure gauge, ammeter, gasoline level, time clock, coolant thermometer, and radio dial.
A GLANCE AT THE INSTRUMENTATION
The tachometer is placed in front of the driver's eyes, graduated up to 5.000 rpm. And to its right are located the speedometer whose scale is limited to 120 miles per hour (193 km/h) and an oil pressure gauge that has the same diameter.
Under the rev counter we find the ammeter, while to its left and a little higher is the coolant thermometer, with a scale in degrees Fahrenheit. Already in the right zone of the board finely worked in guilloché, the hour clock, the gasoline level indicator in the tank and the radio dial are located.
The two cranks located at the two ends are also worth mentioning. Its function is to remove each of the headlights through a system of cables, taken from the landing gear mechanism of some aircraft manufactured by Cord Corporation.
BONNET RAISED
Before starting the engine we opted to lift the one-piece hood, something still rare in that decade. After being held by the action of a bar that unfolds, we observe on the right side one of the two electric horns and the V8 engine right bank. You can also see the exhaust manifold on that side and the thick tube of the refrigeration.
And when passing to the other side of our Cord 812 Phaeton we verified the set symmetry, since there is also an exhaust manifold and a coolant channel next to the left bank.
RADIATOR AND CARBURETOR
When we look at the engine compartment from the front, the radiator stands out in the foreground. Their work to cool the mechanics is considerable, given the compression ratio of only 6,5:1. In fact, one of the weaknesses of this model lay in its propensity to get hot too much, something that forced the refrigeration circuit to be in perfect condition.
As well we discovered the carburetor above and in the center of the “V”. It is a double-body Stromberg, which in the restoration was equipped with a more efficient sponge filter than the original one.
In front of the radiator and below, a black cylinder houses the Bendix preset box. This innovative change system is responsible for selecting the ratio that has been ordered from the lever that is located to the right of the steering wheel.
Later, when the clutch pedal is pressed, the gear is engaged and when the said control is released, it is already rolling at said speed. all of it with total smoothness and without the typical creaks of the change that characterized the automobiles of that time.
ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF CORD 812
The doors, which open in favor of the march, are wider than imagined and have hinges and locks that transmit a pleasant feeling of solidity.
Along with the red upholstery and carpet, the black steering wheel and sparkling glitter dashboard, which houses no less than eight different gauges in the instrumentation.
On the other hand, it is attractive table of the four central switches. Respectively, their functions are to turn on the lights, manually accelerate, activate the air choke and start the windshield wipers.
ENGINE RUNNING
After turning the ignition key and pressing the start button, the engine wakes up instantly and maintains a fast idle. Four minutes later it already reaches its service temperature and we are ready to roll.
We place the preselector lever in position 1 and depress the clutch fully, to start the movement once the pedal is released. the march turns out quiet and nice, both for the stealth of the engine and for the soft suspension.
We pass to second and take the opportunity to turn on the lights, after activating both cranks so that the headlights hidden in the wings. In the first and brief journey in the narrow streets we get used to the size of the vehicle.
FAST AND SILENT ROLLING
As speed picks up, the Cord 812 brings its power to bear and It is easy to drive at 120 km/h without the impression of going so fast. This is influenced by the reduced murmur from the exhaust pipe and the comfort provided by the suspensions. When it comes to driving, front-wheel drive helps the curve behavior be more progressive and controllable. A function in which a precise and fast steering also collaborates, of 3,25 turns between both stops.
It is also worth noting balanced distribution of weights, in which only 55% gravitates on the front axle. Likewise, the 16-inch tires contribute to the fact that the frame hardly transmits sudden reactions on the asphalt.
Similarly, it is appropriate to point out that in the rear seats there is ample space for the three possible occupants of the rear seat. In fact, the rear also enjoys the quality of finish and materials that characterizes the model.
LITTLE PRODUCTION
Although the Cord 812 had a fair price and impressive lines, sales faltered since its release on the market. In its only production season, only 1.146 units of the twelve versions on sale, with and without a compressor, were manufactured.
The explanation to such a failure It was based on the fact that it was a front-wheel drive car, a particularity that North American drivers of the time were reluctant to accept.
As if that were not enough, the reduced sales determined in 1938 the suspension of payments of the Cord Corporation group, which also led to the definitive cessation of the firms Auburn y Duesenberg.
However, the subsequent rise of the classic car hobby worked in favor of the Cords, who probably erred in get too far ahead of time.
APPENDIX: RACE AGAINST THE TIME
Within the Cord Corporation group, in 1933 automobiles were manufactured Auburn and Duesenberg. This was the case after the end of production in 1931 of the Cord L 29, with front-wheel drive.
The assembly of this innovative car began in 1929 and from him 5.010 examples were built during this period. Although it was an attractive car, the clientele of that time did not look favorably on the transmission to the front axle. For this reason, its sale was much lower than expected. But Errett L. Cord, from his authority as creator of the company, did not throw in the towel. In 1933 it began to be projected a small Duesenberg, provided with a self-supporting body.
In June 1935, when Errett L. Cord saw Gordon Buehrig's finished design, he was convinced it was the ideal car for resurrect the brand who bore his last name. There were just over five months left for the inauguration of the New York Lounge. In the opinion of Errett L. Cord, this was the ideal environment to show off that new Cord and for the brand to be reborn again.
However, to be able to show the car in the New York contest it was necessary to comply with a standard that was going to require effort. Said rule was the obligation to have manufactured at least a hundred units of the exposed model. Thus, the corporation began a race against the clock to build such a number of units.
In addition, the non-existence of specific machinery meant that they had to develop numerous handmade components. Consequently, with a gigantic effort from the staff, both in organization and in working hours. Finally, the Cord 810 was presented on time in New York, no matter how much of the copies were not yet in a condition to shoot.
Photographs: Classic Lane
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS CORD 812 PHAETON FROM 1937 |
|
| Motor | Longitudinal front |
| Displacement | 4.733 cm3 |
| Cylinders | 8 in V at 90º |
| Compression | 6,5:1 |
| power/speed | 125 hp SAE at 3.600 rpm |
| Food | Stromberg carburettor |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Traction | Lead |
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual, with Bendix preselector |
| Chassis | Stringers and crossbars |
| Bodywork | Phaeton |
| Front suspension | independent, leaf springs |
| Rear suspension | rigid shaft |
| Brakes | Drums |
| Length/width/height | 4.966 / 1.956 / 1.524 mm |
| Ways | 1.422/1.549 mm |
| Battle | 3.750 mm |
| Weight : | 1.777 kg (in running order) |
| Deposit | 66 liters |
| Tires | 6.50-16 |
| Consumer goods | 19 l / 100 km |
| Maximum speed | 150 km/h |
| year of presentation | 1936 |
| years of production | 1936-1937 |
| Units produced | 2.972 (including 810 and 812) |
