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Topic starter
24/12/2025 10:20 am
The 1936 Cord 810 Westchester Sedan
From the www
The 1936 Cord 810 Westchester Sedan is a highly innovative and iconic American classic car, celebrated for itsgroundbreaking Art Deco design,front-wheel drive system, and features like concealed headlights. The car's value today can vary significantly based on its condition, ranging from project cars at around $21,000 to fully restored examples selling for over $70,000, and sometimes over $100,000.
Key Features and Specifications
The Cord 810 was a sensation when unveiled at the 1935 New York Auto Show due to its futuristic appearance and advanced engineering, many of which were industry firsts.
- Design:The body was styled by Gordon M. Buehrig and features a distinctive louvered wraparound grille, earning it the "coffin nose" nickname. It had a low silhouette with pontoon fenders, eliminating the need for running boards.
- Hidden Headlights:It was the first production car to feature concealed headlights, which were Stinson landing lights individually raised and lowered by hand-cranks on the dashboard.
- Front-Wheel Drive:It was one of the first American mass-produced cars with front-wheel drive and independent front suspension, which allowed for a low chassis and bodywork.
- Engine & Transmission:The car is powered by aLycoming 289 cu. in. (4.7 L) flathead V8 engineproducing 125 horsepower, paired with a four-speed manual transmission with an electric hand gear shifter (pre-selector transmission).
- Interior Amenities:The Westchester model featured a broadcloth interior, bench seating, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, an analog clock, and a standard in-dash radio.
Current Market and Availability
The 1936 Cord 810 Westchester Sedan is a sought-after collector's item, and its price depends heavily on its condition and originality. The production run was limited, with around 1,174 examples of the Model 810 sold in 1936.
- Pricing:Hagerty Valuation Toolsreports an average value of approximately $70,925 for a 1936 Cord 810 in good condition. Restored examples typically range from around$40,000 to over $100,000, while project cars can be found for much less, such as a project car sold for $21,000.
- Availability:These classic cars are typically found through classic car dealers, private sellers, and auctions. Several examples are currently available for sale from various specialist dealers.
- Acquisition Considerations:Due to the mechanical complexity and early reliability issues (such as with the transmission), condition is very important when buying a Cord 810. The Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club offers valuable technical advice and parts support for owners.
John Bono
North Jersey
24/12/2025 10:30 am
A neighbor back in the '50's had one and sadly his garage burnt down and the Cord & his prewar Jaguar were a total loss.
24/12/2025 11:39 am
Faultless Christmas pick John! One of the nicest Cord 810's I have ever seen. Perfect color choice. I just cannot imagine what we'd have today if A-C-D still existed. I can envision the Auburn as the 'Speedster" line with performance cars on tap. The Cord would graduate from front drive to AWD and showcase upscale luxury & SUV offerings. The Duesey, of course would be the high-class hoidy toidy marque that the rest of automobiledom would have to catch.
Thanks for your "Which" & "Something Different" exercises; you learn us well Master!