Description
The Cord 812 Supercharged Beverly Sedan stands as one of the most innovative and visually striking American automobiles of the pre-war era. Built in 1937 by the Auburn Automobile Company, the Cord 812 was a continuation of the 810, which had debuted to great acclaim in 1936. Designed by Gordon Buehrig, the car combined advanced engineering with bold, modern styling that set it apart from nearly everything else on the road at the time.
The most prominent visual feature of the Cord 812 was its low, sleek profile, achieved through the use of front-wheel drive and the elimination of a conventional driveshaft. This allowed the body to sit lower to the ground than most of its contemporaries. Its “coffin-nose” hood, covered headlamps that retracted into the fenders, and a louvered grille gave it an aircraft-inspired, streamlined appearance. These features were futuristic for the time and remain iconic today.
The “Supercharged” variant of the 812 introduced even more performance and flair. Powered by a 289-cubic inch Lycoming V8 engine fitted with a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger, the car produced an impressive 170 horsepower. This was a significant figure in the late 1930s, allowing the Cord to compete favorably with performance luxury cars from both the U.S. and Europe. The engine was paired with a 4-speed pre-selector manual transmission operated via a small lever on the dashboard, a setup that further emphasized the car’s technological edge.
The Beverly Sedan was one of the more luxurious body styles available in the Cord 812 range. It featured a longer wheelbase than the standard models, which provided additional rear seat space and more refined comfort for passengers. The interior was richly appointed, often with fine materials and art deco design influences that matched the car’s avant-garde exterior.
Despite its many strengths, the Cord 812 faced several challenges. The complex transmission system was difficult for some drivers to master and could be unreliable. Production costs were high, and the Auburn Automobile Company was struggling financially. Only about 3,000 Cord 812s were built before the company ceased operations in late 1937, making them rare and highly collectible today.
The Cord 812 Supercharged Beverly Sedan represents a remarkable blend of performance, luxury, and design innovation. It was decades ahead of its time in many respects and continues to be admired for its engineering and aesthetics. For collectors and historians, the Cord stands not only as a high point of pre-war American automotive achievement but also as a symbol of ambitious, forward-thinking design.