To be sold at the Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction on March 8, 2013. For further details please visit www.goodingco.com or contact a vehicle specialist at 001.310.899.1960 or specialist@goodingco.com.
Engine Specifications:
289 CID OHV Lycoming V-8 Engine
Schwitzer-Cummins Centrifugal Supercharger
170 BHP at 4,200 RPM
4-Speed Pre-Selector Transmission
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Independent Coil-Spring Front Suspension
Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
About this Car:
Presented here is one of the most attractive and highly awarded coffin-nose Cords ever to grace a show field. A winner of countless concours trophies, this rare American classic owes its outstanding presentation to an exemplary detail-oriented restoration and three decades of appreciative stewardship.
In November 1980, Albert Nagele of Wilmette, Illinois, purchased this striking 812 S/C Sportsman and embarked on what must be considered one of the most complete and exacting restorations ever lavished on a Sportsman. Diligently carried out between 1980 and 1991, Mr. Nagele’s meticulous process addressed every aspect of the Cord and ensured that no detail, however minute, was overlooked.
An example of the remarkable attention to detail involved in the restoration, the Sportsman’s coachwork was assembled and disassembled twice to ensure precise fit before being refinished in Rich Maroon, an elegant, factory-correct color.
In 1991, after more than a decade of careful research and preparation, Mr. Nagele debuted his prized Cord at the annual ACD Festival in Auburn,Indiana.Amongtheimpressivedisplayof classic Cords, this beautifully restored Sportsman captured the greatest accolades, winning Best of Show, Best Cord, and the Gordon Buehrig Award for the best 810/812.
The following year, the Sportsman was invited to participate in the world famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where the quality and accuracy of Mr. Nagele’s restoration was handsomely rewarded with a Second in Class.
Building upon its successes, Mr. Nagele’s Cord went on to capture a perfect 100-point score at the Illinois region CCCA Grand Classic and was certified by the ACD Club as a Category One original car. While not mentioned in the ACD paperwork, Mr. Nagele believed that his car’s original supercharged engine was replaced early on with another correct-type unit.
Throughout the 1990s, the Cord was a frequent sight at classic car events throughout the Midwest and often the recipient of major awards. In one of his last outings with the car, at Eyes of Design in 1999, Mr. Nagele’s Sportsman received Best of Show honors, Spirit of the Celebrated Design, and as Designer’s Choice.
Since 2000, this magnificent Sportsman has been a fixture in a significant Southern California collection, where it has been treated to sparing use and occasional exhibition. Perhaps the most notable showing took place at the 2002 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where the Cord received Best in Class, Most Elegant Convertible, and the Art Center College of Design Award. Considering that Mr. Nagele’s restoration was already a decade old by this time, this result was an extraordinary achievement and a proud testimony to the lasting quality of his workmanship.
Overall, the Cord has held up in remarkable condition over the past 20 years and remains very presentable throughout. In every respect, this car displays the telltale signs of a high-quality restoration, and its many marvelous details – from the individually wrapped seat springs to the factory-correct instruction tag on the shifter – are sure to impress a well-trained eye.
It is safe to say that few coffin-nose Cords have ever been treated to such a thorough restoration and, with careful preparation, this Supercharged Sportsman is sure to return to its winning ways.
As one of the great American automobiles of the Classic Era and a vivid reminder of E.L. Cord’s once-dominant automotive empire, the 812 Sportsman remains an iconic motorcar that carries tremendous caché with a broad range of collectors. This magnificent example, with its unrivaled restoration, formidable concours pedigree, and authentic character, presents a rare opportunity to acquire the ultimate supercharged Cord.
From an Important Private Collection
From an Important Private Collection