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1937 Cord 812 S/C Sportsman

1937 Cord 812 S/C Sportsman

In 1937 the 812 was offered with an optional supercharger and it became the ultimate Cord before the company closed indefinitely the same year. While the supercharged option didn’t save Cord, the car was much better sorted then the first cars badged as 810 models.

Central to the Supercharged Cord was a Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger that was attached to the L-head Lycoming V8 engine. With 6 psi boost, it produced roughly 185 to 195 bhp. This was good enough to propel Ab Jenkins at an average speed of 101.72 mph for 24 hours on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Like the 1936 models badged 810, the 812 had eccentric styling designer Gordon Buehrig which was matched by some unorthodox engineering choices. To allow for more cockpit room, a bespoke transmission was fitted aft of the engine which initially caused many problems with reliability.

Four different bodystyles were avalble directly from Cord including the Convertible Coupe also known as the Sportsman, Beverly Sedan, Custom Beverly, Custom Berline, Phaeton, and Westchester Sedan.

1937 Cord 812 S/C Sportsman Gallery

1937 Cord 812 S/C Sportsman

In Detail

type Series Production Car
built at USA
engine V8
fuel feed Single Stromberg Carburetor
displacement 4736 cc / 289 in³
bore 88.9 mm / 3.50 in
stroke 95.2 mm / 3.75 in
compression 6.50:1
power 126.8 kw / 170 bhp @ 3500 rpm
specific output 35.9 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 93.72 bhp per tonne
torque 352.5 nm / 260 ft lbs @ 2200 rpm
front brakes Drums
rear brakes Drums
f suspension Independent
r suspension Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
curb weight 1814 kg / 4000 lbs
wheelbase 3175 mm / 125 in
front track 1422 mm / 56 in
rear track 1549 mm / 61 in
transmission 4-Speed Preselector
top speed ~164.6 kph / 102.3 mph
0 – 60 mph ~13.5 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile ~18.2 seconds