1937 Cord Model 812 Westchester Sedan, Registration no. VXS 908 Chassis no. 1577A

* One of the most iconic American cars of all time
* Displayed at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu from * 1977 to 2016
* Formerly registered in South Africa
* Right-hand drive
* An older restoration
* Recent extensive refurbishment

The work of a team headed by Duesenberg designer Gordon Buehrig, the Cord 810 body style with its louvred 'coffin' nose, streamlined spat-shaped wings, concealed headlamps (a first), and absence of running boards would prove immensely influential, its distinctive features being borrowed by most mainstream manufacturers by the decade's end.

The 810's arrival marked the end of a hiatus in Cord production, its predecessor - the L29 - having disappeared in 1931. Errett Lobban Cord had introduced the L29 in 1929 as a gap-filling model priced between his Cord Corporation's Auburn and Duesenberg lines. Powered by a Lycoming straight eight, the Cord L29 featured front-wheel drive, then in vogue at Indianapolis. Its front-drive layout made for a low-slung frame, and the freedom this gave coachbuilders meant that the Cord was soon attracting the attention of master craftsmen on both sides of the Atlantic.

Front-wheel-drive like the L29, the 810 differed from its predecessor by virtue of its more compact Lycoming V8 engine and four-speed, pre-selector gearbox, the latter operated via a small Bendix selector lever beside the steering wheel. Set further back in the chassis, the V8 endowed the 810 with better balance and came with 125bhp in standard trim or 170bhp when supercharged (in the 812). Custom sedans on a longer wheelbase joined the four-model 812 range for 1937, though it is doubtful whether any independent offering ever matched Buehrig's original Beverly fastback sedan for sheer style. Priced competitively in the $2,000-3,000 range, the 810/812 should have been a huge success, though, sadly, this was not to be. The Cord Corporation was in deep financial trouble, and when its proprietor sold up in August 1937, it spelled the end not just for Cord, but for Auburn and Duesenberg as well.

This example of a car widely recognised as one of the top ten automotive designs of all time was purchased in South Africa by the previous owner's father from one Arthur Mechin, and imported into the UK in 1976. Although normally aspirated, this particular car has the external exhaust pipes of the supercharged 812, a feature that endows this iconic Art Deco design with its world famous aggressively sporting look.

A matching-numbers example, the car we offer is one of only four (it is believed) built with right-hand drive. The Cord had been acquired by the aforementioned Mr Mechin in January 1972 and was restored over the next year or so. The previous owner's father had the car repainted red (from white) and it was then loaned to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu where it was on static display from 1977 until 2016. In March 2016 the Cord was offered for sale at Bonhams' auction at the Goodwood Members' Meeting (Lot 091) where it was purchased by the current vendor.

The Cord was immediately despatched to specialist motor engineer, Chevington Garage of Bury St Edmunds, a firm with past experience of working on Cord motor cars. Chevington Garage then undertook an extensive mechanical refurbishment costing in the region of £16,000 (bills available). These works included partially stripping the engine and clearing out all waterways; re-surfacing the cylinder heads; fitting new gaskets; rebuilding the water pump; and fitting a new radiator and new hoses throughout. In addition, the brakes were totally stripped and rebuilt including all new pipes; the carburettor, instruments, fuel pumps, and headlamps overhauled; some electrical rewiring carried out; four original hubcaps purchased and fitted; and the tyres renewed. The car was then MoT'd and UK registered. The substantial history file South African ownership details, an original handbook, service instructions, a modern spares catalogue, and all bills for recent work.