Cord 810/812

Vitor Dinis Reis

Pre-War
Membro do staff
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Innovations






Cord innovations include front wheel drive on the L-29 and retractable headlights on the 810.
Front wheel drive became common in the United States only in the 1980s, though Citroën introduced the Traction Avant in 1934, Ford offered it in certain models of its German-built Taunus, and General Motors sold the front wheel drive Oldsmobile Toronado in 1966 and Cadillac Eldorado in 1967. As personal luxury cars, these three GM models, especially the Toronado, were undoubtedly influenced by Cord.
Retractable headlamps did not become common as a standard feature until the 1960s (though DeSoto used them in 1942). The early Oldsmobile Toronados, whose GM stylists later stated they were trying to capture the "feel" of the Cord's design, also featured retractable headlights.

Cord L-29

This was the first American front-wheel drive car to be offered to the public, beating the Ruxton automobile by several months. Its drive system allowed it to be much lower than competing cars. Both stock cars and special bodies built on the Cord chassis by American and European coachbuilders won prizes in contests worldwide.

Cord Model 810

The body design of the Cord 810 was the work of designer Gordon M. Buehrig and his team of stylists, which included young Vince Gardner. Nearly devoid of chrome, the new car was so low it required no running boards. Pontoon fenders, wraparound grille, and concealed gas hatch were featured. Its engine-turned dashboard included complete instrumentation, including a tachometer and built-in radio.
The new car caused a sensation at the 1936 New York Auto Show in November. The crowds around the 810 were so dense, attendees stood on the bumpers of nearby cars to get a look. Many orders were taken at the show, but the cars were not ready to deliver until February. The engine featured a transmission which extended in front of the engine, like a Traction Avant. As a result, the front wheels were well forward of the engine. This also enabled the floor of the car to be much lower than the typical automobile.

Demise of the Cord

Early reliability problems, including slipping out of gear and vapor lock, cooled initial enthusiasm. Although most new owners loved their sleek fast cars, the dealer base shrank rapidly. In 1937, after producing about 3000 of these cars, Auburn ceased production of the Cord. The Cord empire was sold to the Aviation Corporation, and E.L. Cord moved to Nevada where he earned millions in real estate and other enterprises.
The design of the Cord 810/812 remains the most distinctive of the 20th century. In 1996, American Heritage magazine proclaimed the Cord 810 sedan "The Single Most Beautiful American Car." The "Classic Cord" Hot Wheels toy car of the 1960s, a convertible coupe, is one of the most valuable, and commands up to $800 (2006) if still in an unopened package.


1629 Cord 810's were built in 1936 - 1278 Cord 812's were built in 1937.
 

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