1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet

Safety, Sophistication and Speed: Unpacking the 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet

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The 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet revolutionized automotive design with its sleek “coffin nose” styling and hidden headlights.

Its Lycoming V8 engine produced 125 horsepower, while front-wheel drive delivered confident handling.

The aircraft-inspired interior featured a leather bench seat and an extensive instrument panel.

Limited to just 195 units, the Cabriolet commanded a premium $2,195 price tag.

This rare American luxury car‘s innovative features and elegant design elements set new standards that would influence automotive engineering for decades to come.

Design Innovation and Exterior Elegance

When automotive design took a revolutionary leap forward in 1936, the Cord 810 Cabriolet emerged as a masterpiece of innovation and elegance.

Its long, low-slung body featured a distinctive “coffin nose” front end, boldly departing from conventional styling of the era. The elimination of the traditional grille created a smooth, aerodynamic fascia that enhanced both airflow and aesthetics.

The pioneering front-wheel-drive V-8 configuration marked a significant engineering breakthrough for its time.

The car’s semi-unitary construction integrated the body and chassis, while concealed roll-up headlights, operated by dashboard cranks, maintained clean body lines.

Designer Gordon M. Buehrig, assisted by Vince Gardner, embraced Streamline Moderne styling with flowing curves accentuated by deep black paint.

The hide-a-way convertible top disappeared completely into a concealed compartment, while wide whitewall tires and chrome wheel covers added classic sophistication to this groundbreaking design.

Powertrain and Technical Specifications

The mechanical heart of the 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet centered on its potent Lycoming V8 engine, delivering 125 horsepower through an innovative front-wheel-drive system.

With a displacement of 289 cubic inches, the 16-valve powerplant featured a bore and stroke of 3.5 and 3.8 inches, respectively, operating at a modest 6.50:1 compression ratio.

Power flowed through a sophisticated 4-speed manual transmission, controlled by a dash-mounted shifter that directed force to the front wheels via a transaxle assembly.

This pioneering drivetrain configuration enhanced handling dynamics but introduced mechanical complexity. At a retail price of $2,195, the Cabriolet model represented a significant investment for the era.

The engine achieved its peak output at 3500 RPM, propelling the 3890-pound steel-bodied car to 60 mph in approximately 20 seconds, with a maximum velocity of 93 mph.

Driving Experience and Road Performance

Behind the wheel of a 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet, drivers experienced a remarkable blend of innovation and limitation. The front-wheel-drive layout delivered confident cornering and flat handling, while the Gemmer steering system required broader inputs with its 6.2-meter turning radius.

Hydraulic drum brakes performed adequately for normal driving but could fail under severe conditions.

The car’s mixed suspension design paired modern front components with an archaic rear tube axle, creating stable road manners despite compromised comfort on rough surfaces.

At highway speeds, the 289 cubic inch Lycoming V8 cruised effortlessly at 1,800 rpm in overdrive, though city traffic could challenge the cooling system. The luxurious cabin featured a complete instrument panel with advanced features, including a tachometer.

The distinctive exhaust note and dramatic road presence made every journey memorable, even as the narrow windscreen offered minimal protection from rushing air.

Interior Comfort and Features

Stepping into a 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet revealed an aircraft-inspired cockpit that revolutionized automotive interior design. The leather-upholstered bench seat provided luxurious comfort, while the thorough instrument panel featured a 150 MPH speedometer, tachometer, and essential gauges. A full-size clock and radio enhanced the driving experience.

The interior showcased meticulous attention to detail. The innovative dash-mounted remote shifter eliminated the traditional floor shifter, creating a more spacious driver’s compartment. Color-matched painted dash and door panels created visual harmony, complemented by black carpeting throughout. The custom series offered additional amenities for passenger comfort, though rear visibility remained limited by design.

Locking gloveboxes provided secure storage, while matching armrests and panels completed the sophisticated environment. Despite its age, the Cord’s quiet cabin and thoughtful ergonomics demonstrated remarkable sophistication for its era.

Market Context and Pricing Analysis

Market values for the 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet reflect its status as an automotive masterpiece. With only 195 Sportsman Cabriolets produced, pristine examples can command prices exceeding $269,500 at auction, while average examples typically fetch between $97,857 and $100,336.

The model’s value stems from its groundbreaking front-wheel-drive design and Gordon M. Buehrig’s revolutionary styling. Auction performance demonstrates consistent collector interest, with median sales hovering around $90,750. The current year value shows a remarkable 54.40% increase above historical averages.

The car competes in a prestigious segment alongside Auburn, Duesenberg, and Packard, but its innovative engineering often justifies premium pricing. The condition remains the primary value driver, with documented history and Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club certification greatly impacting market prices.

Well-maintained, original examples consistently achieve the strongest results at high-profile auctions.

Historical Impact and Significance

Innovation sparked a revolution when the Cord 810 debuted at the 1935 New York Auto Show, forever changing the trajectory of automotive design.

The vehicle’s streamlined body and hidden headlights captured the imagination of both the public and the industry, earning it a place in the Museum of Modern Art‘s prestigious 1951 “Eight Automobiles” exhibition.

Gordon M. Buehrig’s groundbreaking design philosophy merged aviation aesthetics with automotive functionality, inspiring generations of car designers. The aircraft-inspired instrument panel and column-mounted gear shift demonstrated fresh thinking about driver interaction.

Today, the Cord 810 remains a coveted collector’s piece, with pristine examples commanding high prices at prestigious auctions. Its certification by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club guarantees these revolutionary vehicles maintain their historical authenticity for future generations to study and admire.

Build Quality and Production Details

Breaking new ground in American automotive manufacturing, Cord’s innovative unit-body construction marked a significant departure from traditional body-on-frame designs of the 1930s.

The integrated steel structure eliminated the need for a separate chassis, reducing weight while increasing rigidity. A distinctive step-down floor lowered the car’s center of gravity, enhancing both handling and aesthetics.

Production challenges emerged due to Cord’s reliance on manual assembly methods. Derham-built bodies required extensive hand labor, leading to inconsistent quality across units.

While the cabriolet’s folding top mechanism showcased engineering prowess, manufacturing complexities strained the company’s limited resources.

Despite commanding prices between $2,000 and $2,200, production costs for advanced features often exceeded budgets, resulting in modest production numbers through its 1936-1939 run.

Final Thoughts

The 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet stands as a pivotal milestone in automotive history. Its groundbreaking front-wheel drive system, hidden headlamps, and sleek Art Deco styling revolutionized car design for decades to come.

Although production lasted barely two years, the Cord 810’s innovative engineering and stunning aesthetics earned it a place among the most influential automobiles of the 20th century.

Its impact on automotive design and technology remains unmatched from the pre-war era.

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