1936 Cord 810 For Sale in St Louis, MO, 2146377008 Tweet

During the economic boom of the 1920s luxury car manufacturers began to fill down-market gaps between their high end and mass market offerings. General Motors slotted LaSalle below Cadillac but above Buick Fords Lincoln-Zephyr slotting similarly between the Lincoln Model K and the Deluxe Ford. However the Auburn Automobile Company did not have the same financial breathing room for new models only offering the premium Auburn Six range and market-topping Duesenberg Model A.The lack of market share left the company in need of strong leadership that understood why their cars were worthy of the cost and could capitalize on that identity. The man chosen as manager was a successful entrepreneur Errett Lobban E. L. Cord whose counteroffer amounted to buying the company out entirely and was accepted in 1924. Five years later Cords eponymous brand released the L-29 featuring a beautiful albeit traditionally styled body and a Lycoming engine and three-speed transmission mounted backwards becoming the one of the first front wheel drive production cars. Cords goal for the next car was a Baby Duesenberg and tasked Auburn Speedster and Duesenberg Model J designer Gordon Buehrig with the project. However in the wake of the Crash of 1929 the project evolved to become the next Cord the 810. Buehrigs design for the 810 and subsequent 812 was a radical new streamliner based on the L-29s engineering principles instantly recognizable for the pronounced hood the sleek wraparound louver grille and the retractable headlights in the curvaceous fenders - a first for a production car. This styling gave the 810 and 812 the Coffin-Nose Cord moniker but the Duesenberg roots are evident in the steep rake and narrow glass of the split windshield and the delicate slope of the rear end. The Baby Duesenberg received a pre-select four-speed transmission and a standard-equipment radio and under dash speaker. High-style meets high-tech was the goal for the 810 the front doors are mounted on hidden hinges and open towards the front of the car in the Coach style two circular flush-mount tail lamps sit in the corners of the trunk lid and an interior with an engine-turned alloy dashboard panel.This example is an extremely desirable Phaeton body style with an older but very high-quality restoration with recent servicing that presents beautifully. Finished in Palm Beach Tan an original color for the 810 over Burgundy leather and a convertible top with oval-shaped glass window and chrome surround is finished in black broadcloth with burgundy piping. The interior shows just as beautifully the three-spoke steering wheels center cap and dash-mounted controls for exterior lights and engine management are color-matched to the exterior. The burgundy leather seats door panels arm rests and matching carpets on the flat floor show next to no wear. The complement of gauges in the engine-turned dashboard includes: a 120mph speedometer tachometer oil pressure water temperature voltmeter clock and controls for the standard-equipment radio. Additionally there is no evidence of brightwork neglect on either bumper any window frames grille louvers nor on the grille ring or gearshift toggle switch. This level of excellence was recognized when it received certification from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club (Certified Vehicle C-455) and won Antique Automobile Club of Americas (AACA) First Prize Junior in 2015. Cords 810 is a defining landmark of design creativity and engineering breakthroughs among Classic cars. Its this singularity that has established it as a staple of museum collections and a car enjoyed by the luckiest of collectors for decades. The unique brand identity and outside the box thinking has also built a community of owners is so tight knit that many recognize the cars left in existence or can say when a car was built and what came before and after it in production. But whether shown as a museum piece or driven and enjoyed for the unique motoring experience the 810 will always be unique classic and this example is ready to give the next owner that same experience. Offers welcome and Trades ConsideredFor additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7662-1936-cord-810-phaeton/