Rare Cord in OCW

I finally got a copy of the "Old Cars Weekly", March 18, 2004 with the article about the Richfield Station in California. The photo is small but I can tell it is not a factory rear spare tire on the S/C Cord Westchester. The tire is too high up and sticks out too far. The bumper bows out too much and the license tag and light are not mounted on the left rear fender. It is a very nice Cord but already has had a set of tires (blackwall) installed.

Atlantic Richfield, or just Richfield as it was known in the west, had some involvement with Cord. The old Auburn/Fuller dealership on Wilshire Blvd. in L.A. is/was used by Atlantic Richfield for many years.

Don't you wish you could go back and see these simple but elegant buildings like the station today? Well, just wait and this architecture will be new and come around again!

Stan

Hi! I will look through my archives. I did have a pic of a side mounted sedan in a barn awaiting discovery! Was the original question about side-mounted or rear mounted? I should have pics of the rear-mounted cabriolet in the file too. Ric.

Al, Jim-

The Sept. 1959 ACD Newsletter had original photos of a 1937 Cord Westchester with a rear spare taken on the side street by the Auburn/Fuller Agency in L.A.

With so many variations in the Cord manufacturing process, I doubt that a complete Cord judging manual can be accomplished. However, the basic engine compartment and the phaeton and cabriolet interior guides started by Bruce Woodson should be very helpful to judges and restorers alike!

After 40 years I learn something every day!

Stan

Jim,

Good eyes! I know understand why you are the 'chief judge'! Outside of the couple of open cars that have a rear mounted spare, I have never seen any sedan that sported the rear mount spare. I would be cool to know if the the car still exist and if we could get it back to Auburn.

By the way, the Club has talked about developing a judgine manual. Are you interested in starting one the the 810/12 Cords? I will be willing to help out and I suspect there are a few others who would be willing to pitch in. What's you thoughts? Pat and I will be at the Eastern Spring Meet and will help out with the judging. Look forward to hearing from you.

Al

In the March 18, 2004 edition of Old Cars Weekly there is a picture of a supercharged Westchester with a rear mounted spare. The photo is taken outside a gas station, probably in the late 1930's or so. Unfortunately the photo is too small and the Cord too far away for much details.