1936 or 1937?

Hi,

Factory documents (I have a copy among my Cord goodies) show a factory memo dated in 1936 concerning 1936 Model 810 cars with serial numbers that were to be reassigned to 1937 Model 812 numbers. The last "re-number" for Westchesters was, as I recall--I'll check, was to have been 1525. Some of the cars were stuck in the factory, some were at dealerships, and some were in limbo-land somewhere in-between.

My "1937 Cord Westchester Model 812" saw its existence start as a 1936 Model 810, but it has the 1937-812 serial number 1509-A. No doubt of its prior year though--it has Lockheed/Wagner brakes, not Bendix, and was never fitted with retainers at the front spring. When I need parts, especially brake parts, I list it as a 1936. However, it does not have tubes installed and welded through the firewall for the short-lived oil-and water-filler feature.

I figure it was made in the early-to-mid 1936-year and was set aside for some reason at the factory for a long while before being sent to a dealer. I have no idea why--perhaps it was waiting for a critical part that would not be sent to Cord until past bills were paid. Perhaps it had a major defect that I am unaware of--yet.

Does your Westchester have Bendix brakes? An easy way to tell is that Bendix brakes are adjusted through an inch+ long slot in the brake backing plate at each wheel, and Lockheed/Wagners are adjusted by loosening a nut on a pin and rotating the adjusting cam pin (assuming it's not rusted solid). The other way to tell is that if your Cord actually stops when you step on the brake pedal, it's got Bendix brakes: the Lockheed/Wagners were replaced with Bendix for 1937 for a pretty good reason.

In any event, IF your car IS a re-numbered car, then both your car and my car are in that special category of the "re-numbered" Cords. I'll check my documents and see if your #1579-A was intended in the referenced memo to be a re-number or not. If so, shall we start a movement to call our Cords "1936-1/2 Cord 811's?"

--Tom

Hi Steve,

What makes you think your car is an 810 and not an 812? We all know there were left over 1936 models they renumbered as 1937 models. Most of the information I've seen indicated the serial numbers from 1001 to 1525 were the left over 1936 models and after that were the 1937 production. So your serial number would indicate that it's a 1937 812.

Jim

In 2008 I acquired a 1937 Cord 812 Westchester Sedan, at least that?s what the title said. After reading The Complete Cord I see that what I purchased was a 1936 Cord 810. The serial number indicates the car was built in the first third of the production run for 1936 (Serial # 1579 A).

Is it possible that the vehicle was in fact not sold & titled until 1937? If so is it a 1937 Model 810?

Just wondering if I should file for a corrected Title?

Any thoughts??????..?