1936 Cord 810 Phaeton
- Engine
- Lycoming V8, four-speed electrically shifted pre-selector transmission
- Colour
- Palm Beach Tan with dark red interior and black convertible top
The Cord 810 Phaeton is among the most technically and aesthetically advanced American automobiles of the 1930s, featuring front-wheel drive, a Lycoming V-8, electrically operated pre-selector gearbox, and Gordon Buehrig's revolutionary body design. This example has a documented ownership chain stretching back to the 1940s. It has earned senior-level awards from both the AACA and the CCCA, and holds ACD Club Category 1 Original Car certification. A subsequent full restoration presented the car in Palm Beach Tan over dark red with a black top.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$123,750
- 1962 →Acquisition unknownJames Galluppartial documentation
Ohio-based owner recorded in ACD Club records as owning the car in 1962.
- 1975 → 1976Acquisition unknownTob Woodpartial documentation
Held the car briefly before selling on within a year.
- 1976 → 1988Acquisition unknownRobert Groffpartial documentation
Owned the car for approximately twelve years before it passed to the next owner.
- 1988 →Acquisition unknownEdwin 'Ned' Wrightpartial documentation
Carried out a thorough restoration in the mid-1990s, including upgraded cylinder heads and a rebuilt transmission; earned multiple AACA and CCCA senior-level awards during his tenure.
- → 2008Acquisition unknownPaul Leepartial documentation
Florida-based collector recorded by the ACD Club as owner after Wright; sold the car from his collection in 2008.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCharles J. Notopartial documentation
Acquired the car shortly after the 2008 sale; obtained ACD Club Category 1 Original Car certification and completed a fresh restoration in Palm Beach Tan over dark red with a black top.
- Date unknownJack Smithpartial documentation
Earliest traced owner, known to have held the car during the 1940s.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGarth Stemplepartial documentation
Acquired the car after Gallup and before the 1975 transfer; no specific dates given.
Competition
- —Antique Automobile Club of AmericaAACA National Senior First PrizeSenior First Prize
Award earned during Edwin Wright's ownership; no specific year given.
- —Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA Senior Premier AwardSenior Premier
Concours-style recognition also achieved under Wright's stewardship; date unspecified.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationLee Foldenauer (transmission)
Full restoration carried out in the mid-1990s, incorporating Allison Engineering cylinder heads on the Lycoming V-8 and a complete rebuild of the pre-selector transmission by specialist Lee Foldenauer.
Commissioned by Edwin Wright; exact year within the mid-1990s not specified.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive re-restoration to a high standard in Palm Beach Tan bodywork with a dark red interior and black convertible top, after which the car was certified by the ACD Club as a Category 1 Original Car.
Completed by Charles J. Noto several years before the catalogue date; original engine retained throughout.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.