The 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet, now on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, stands as a testament to automotive innovation and design excellence. Crafted by renowned designer Gordon M. Buehrig, this vehicle represents a transformative moment in automotive engineering that challenged conventional design principles of its era.
Featuring a revolutionary front-wheel-drive V-8 engine and an unconventional steering column gear shift mechanism, the Cord 810 Cabriolet introduced technological advancements that were decades ahead of its time. Its unique design eliminated traditional automotive elements, replacing them with sleek, modernistic features that would influence automotive design for generations.
The vehicle's most striking characteristics include hidden headlights operated by a dashboard hand crank, a one-piece hood that opens from the front, and a disappearing convertible top that seamlessly integrates into the car's body. These innovations were so remarkable that the Museum of Modern Art featured the Cord sedan in its 1951 exhibit of significant automobiles, praising its bold lines and aerodynamic aesthetic.
Automotive historians and design enthusiasts recognize the Cord 810 Cabriolet as a pivotal moment in automotive design. Its semi-unitary body construction, with the engine and transmission mounted to a specialized frame, represented a radical departure from contemporary manufacturing techniques. The elimination of a traditional grille in favor of seven elegant louvers encircling the car's nose further demonstrated Buehrig's forward-thinking design philosophy.
The museum's specimen, while featuring a replacement engine, maintains its original chassis stub frame and represents a rare opportunity for automotive enthusiasts to experience a true design milestone. Its preservation allows contemporary audiences to appreciate the innovative spirit of 1930s automotive engineering.
The Cord 810 Cabriolet's significance extends beyond its mechanical specifications. It embodies a moment of artistic and technological convergence, where form and function were seamlessly integrated. Its influence can be traced through subsequent automotive design, making it more than just a classic car—it is a movable piece of industrial art that continues to inspire designers and engineers today.
