1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet (Sportsman)
- Engine
- Supercharged V8, approximately 200 hp
- Colour
- Geneva Blue with tan convertible top piped in blue
A 1937 Cord Model 812 supercharged Cabriolet — colloquially the 'Sportsman' — one of only 64 original examples built, featuring outside exhaust pipes and period supercharger. The car is documented from 1977 onward through a series of American owners, culminating in a comprehensive nut-and-bolt concours restoration in the correct Geneva Blue livery. It subsequently earned top awards at the ACD Club National Reunion and the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and later entered the collection of the late author Clive Cussler.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$489,000
- 1977 → 1980Acquisition unknownAllen Seiegpartial documentation
Based in Illinois; later sold the car in disassembled condition.
- 1980 → 1982Private saleJohn H. Millerpartial documentation
Tennessee-based owner who purchased the car in pieces and carried out its restoration.
- 1982 →Private saleVerlin J. Boespartial documentation
Kansas City, Missouri owner who showed the car at the 1982 ACD Club National Reunion; sold it shortly after concluding the vehicle was too fine for regular use.
- → 2004Private saleStan Leibelpartial documentation
Ontario, Canada owner who held the car for an extended period before selling.
- 2004 → 2009Private saleJim Covertpartial documentation
Jupiter, Florida owner who commissioned a thorough nut-and-bolt concours restoration at RM Auto Restoration in Blenheim, Ontario, finished in Geneva Blue with pigskin interior.
- 2009 →AuctionClive and Janet Cusslerpartial documentation
Author Clive Cussler described the purchase as a spirited auction acquisition and later featured the car in his book on his personal collection; Janet Cussler continued to maintain it following Clive's passing.
Competition
- 1982Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club National Reunion1982 ACD Club National ReunionPrimary Second
Entered by Verlin J. Boes shortly after he acquired the restored car.
- 2006Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club National Reunion2006 ACD Club National ReunionPrimary First
First major concours award following the comprehensive restoration completed under Jim Covert's ownership.
- 20072007 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceFirst in Class
- 20192019 Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance
Displayed as part of the Cussler collection feature at the event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1980Restoration
Car was purchased in pieces and reassembled and restored by John H. Miller in Tennessee.
- 2004RestorationRM Auto Restoration
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt concours restoration carried out to the highest standard, finished in Geneva Blue with dark tan pigskin upholstery and a tan convertible top piped in blue.
Commissioned by Jim Covert; work performed at RM Auto Restoration's facility in Blenheim, Ontario.
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