Few pre-war American cars carry the futuristic punch of a supercharged Cord, and a beautifully restored example is now for sale at Aumann Auctions. This 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton is offered as Lot 14 in Aumann’s online Don Henley Automobile Collection & Vintage Motorcycles auction, where it joins a select group of cars from a fellow collector. Fresh from a four-year restoration, running and driving, and powered by its numbers-matching supercharged Lycoming V8, the car is open for bidding until the sale closes on November 9, 2026.

The 812 sits remarkably low thanks to its front-drive layout and step-down floor.

Gordon Buehrig’s Coffin-Nose Masterpiece

Designer Gordon Buehrig skipped the playbook entirely on the Cord 810 and 812. Instead of an upright radiator shell, the Cord 812 Phaeton wears its famous “coffin nose,” with horizontal louvers that wrap around the hood and flow back into the fenders. The headlights are hidden behind the fenders and crank out by hand from the dash, a feature that still draws a crowd today.

Coffin-nose front end with wraparound louvers on the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton — The wraparound louvers replaced a traditional grille.

The shape is just as clever from the side. Because the Cord drives its front wheels, Buehrig could do away with the driveshaft tunnel and the running boards, letting the body sit low and long. On this Phaeton, the deep, glossy paint (listed by Aumann as Rich Maroon) and wide whitewalls show off every curve.

Rear three-quarter view showing the low stance of the 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton — No running boards, just clean, flowing fenders.

A Supercharged Lycoming V8 and Front-Wheel Drive

Supercharged Cords are the ones collectors want most, and the chrome exhaust pipes sweeping out of the hood sides announce that this car is one of them. Under the hood sits the 289-cubic-inch Lycoming V8 built specifically for Cord, fed by a Schwitzer-Cummins centrifugal supercharger and rated at a healthy 170 horsepower.

Chrome external exhaust pipes on the supercharged 1937 Cord 812 — The external exhausts are the signature of a factory-supercharged Cord.

The engineering was years ahead of its time. The 812 pairs front-wheel drive with independent front suspension, and its four-speed gearbox is selected through an electro-vacuum Bendix pre-selector. Aumann notes that care was taken to keep the original FWD transaxle assembly and the numbers-matching engine, stamped FC 2841, with the car.

Supercharged Lycoming V8 engine bay of the 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton — The supercharged Lycoming V8 makes a rated 170 horsepower.

The pre-selector is the party trick. The driver flicks a small lever on the steering column to choose the next gear, then presses the clutch to make the shift happen. You pick the next gear before you need it, which is either charming or maddening depending on your patience.

Bendix pre-selector shift lever in the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton — The Bendix pre-selector lever mounts on the steering column.

1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton Restoration

According to the Aumann Auctions listing, this Phaeton spent decades in a climate-controlled collection before receiving a four-year restoration by a marque specialist that, per the listing, spared no expense. Every mechanical and structural component was returned to factory specifications, and the Central Manufacturing Co. convertible phaeton body now looks just as sharp with its tan top raised as it does with it folded.

1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton with its tan convertible top raised — The tan convertible top gives the car a tailored look when raised.

Inside, the aircraft-inspired instrument panel is a showpiece in its own right. A full set of mechanical gauges sits in an engine-turned fascia, and the listing highlights that the original dashboard casting is un-cracked, a detail serious Cord buyers will appreciate.

Engine-turned dashboard and gauges of the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton — The engine-turned dashboard holds a full set of gauges.

A Cabin Finished in Tan Leather

The interior is trimmed in tan leather that complements the dark paint beautifully. Thanks to the step-down floor, getting in and out of this Cord is easy, and the pleated front bench looks ready for a long day on the road.

Tan leather front seat of the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton — Pleated tan leather covers the front bench.

The rear compartment is just as inviting, with matching pleated upholstery and plenty of room for passengers. As a four-door open tourer, the 812 Phaeton is the Cord you can actually bring friends in.

Tan leather rear seat of the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton — The rear seat matches the front in pleated tan leather.

A Rare Survivor From the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Era

The 810 and 812 were built during the final, difficult years of E.L. Cord’s empire, and fewer than 3,000 were produced across 1936 and 1937. Supercharged open cars like this one are among the most desirable of all. It’s offered in the same sale as the supercharged 1936 Auburn 852 Boattail Speedster, another Classic Era star from the same family of companies.

Cord crest emblem on the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton — The Cord crest finishes off the car’s Art Deco styling.

The car carries serial number 812 32321 H, a good Illinois title, and an uninterrupted history file documenting its care. Aumann also posts a video of it running and driving, which beats any adjective in the listing.

Rear view of the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton with Illinois plate — The 812 is offered with a good Illinois title.

How to Bid on the Cord 812

Supercharged open 812s are the top rung of Cord ownership, and this 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton is presented well enough for a concours lawn and, per the listing, runs well enough for a CCCA CARavan tour. Which would you do with it? Bidding closes November 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. Central.

The Cord is ready for concours lawns or long-distance tours.

Whitewall tire and chrome hubcap on the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton — Wide whitewalls and polished hubcaps complete the look.

Aumann Auctions is proud to present an extraordinary collection of vintage automobiles and motorcycles spanning generations of American motoring history. Carefully assembled with an emphasis on quality, condition, craftsmanship and significance, this collection brings together some of the most recognizable machines ever to travel the American road.

Don’s collection features some extraordinary Fords that are second to none! From the pioneering days of the 1914 Ford Model T Touring to the elegance and innovation of the great Classic Era, the collection offers an impressive journey through automotive history. Among the early Ford offerings are a 1925 Ford Model TT Fire Truck Pumper, 1933 Ford V8 Roadster Pickup and elegant 1935 Ford Deluxe Phaeton. But the real standout Fords are the pristine 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman holding the distinguished Dearborn Award from the Early Ford V-8 Club of America with multiple AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) awards and the 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Woody Wagon, also a multi-year AACA winner! Be sure to study all the documentation, awards, recognitions and photographs that prove these Fords to be of the absolute highest quality. Don’s collection does not stop there. He’s also offering up three very special 2-wheeled machines including an original 1949 Powell P-81 Motorcycle AACA & HPOF certified, an original 1951 Whizzer Sportsman also certified by AACA & HPOF as well as a true piece of Springfield, IL history, a 1957 Forall Scooter in unrestored original condition that is also recognized by AACA & HPOF!

Also being featured along with Don’s collection is a selection of cars from a fellow collector. This collection includes a stunning 1936 Auburn Boat Tail Speedster that embodies the sweeping lines and unmistakable presence of the Classic Era, while the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged represents one of America’s most daring combinations of design, engineering and performance. Luxury is represented in equally impressive fashion by a 1937 LaSalle Opera Coupe, 1937 Cadillac Series 60, and commanding 1939 Cadillac Fleetwood V16 Series 90—an extraordinary automobile from the final chapter of Cadillac’s celebrated V16 era.

The unmistakable optimism and style of the 1950s comes alive with a spectacular 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, sleek 1951 Mercury Eight and iconic 1957 Ford Thunderbird, followed by the open-air style of a 1961 Chevrolet Impala Convertible. A 2005 Volkswagen GLS Convertible rounds out the automobile offering.

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