The Cord 810/812 is recognized as one of the most iconic automobiles of the 1930s, a brilliant combination of engineering innovation and timeless beauty. Fewer than 3,000 examples were built during its short two-year run and most desirable among those is the supercharged Cabriolet model, such as the example presented here. Cord’s incorporation of advanced engineering resulted in an automobile providing thrilling performance. In supercharged guise, its V-8 engine produced 170 hp, with power transmitted to the front wheels through a four-speed gearbox. Gordon Buehrig’s Art Deco styling was free of excessive ornamentation, with hidden headlamps, no running boards, and its signature seven-louver coffin-nose hood. The Cabriolet features seating for two with a convertible top that disappears beneath a flush deck.

Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg (ACD) Club records report ownership of this example, chassis 31950 F, by Dorothy Hoffman of Gary, Indiana, in the late 1930s. Walter Ginn of West Grove, Pennsylvania, owned the car into the early 1960s before selling it in 1983 to Frank DiSerafino of Media, Pennsylvania, who selected Jim Corbin, former editor for the ACD Club, to perform its restoration. Mr. DiSerafino also documented this car as one of just 64 originally supercharged 812 Cabriolets through the ACD Club’s certification process, with this car identified by certificate no. C-329 as a “Category 1, Certified Original Car.”

John Kernan of San Diego purchased the Cord in 2000 and consulted with numerous marque experts, addressing every detail on the car for authenticity. That attention to detail was recognized with a string of competitive judging victories over the next four years: a class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® in 2001, Best Cord and Best of Show awards in marque-specific judging the following year at the ACD Club’s annual reunion, and three CCCA First Place awards, scoring a perfect 100 points in 2004, carrying CCCA Senior Badge no. 2325SP.

Don Wohlwend of Camano Island, Washington, purchased the rare Cord in 2005 and enhanced its driveability by installing the much-improved Lee Richardson CV joints. Testing the car’s mechanical mettle, he toured extensively with it, accumulating 20,000 miles during his ownership. Noted collector and racing driver Chris Cord, grandson of E.L. Cord, acquired the Cabriolet in 2013 and commissioned over $130,000 in further concours-level restoration by Tired Iron Works in Monrovia, California. Upon completion, it made an encore appearance at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, where it was recognized with the Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible award. The exterior is finished in a breathtaking dark blue tone known as Geneva Blue, and the interior is upholstered in matching dark blue leather, accented by a black canvas top. This Cord’s inherent traits of beauty and performance are enhanced by an enviable string of awards, and documented authenticity. Combined, these qualities present a rare opportunity indeed.