Front Wheel Drive Circa 1936

Behold, proof that front wheel drive wasn't something brought to America by the Japanese and Europeans: the Cord 810.

Yes, it's front wheel drive from 1936. It looks great and, really, is there any question as to why they call it the "coffin nose Cord?"
It has retractable headlights that use a hand crank to open. These headlights let the car keep it's streamlined, smooth shape. So did the lack of running boards.

It's rear end is more streamlined and integrated than most other cars of the time.

But besides being stylish, it could also move like a scalded cat.
What are those wonderful, shiny chrome pipes coming out from under the hood? They're the exhaust from the engine, and prove to everyone on the street that you have the optional supercharger.

Power figures are vague, putting the engine anywhere from 170hp to around 200hp. I'd lean more toward 200, because a sedan like this one was clocked at just over 100mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1937.

For the '30s, that's damn fast.

The interior is also "damn" worthy. In a good way.
It's a turned metal dashboard. At the far right is one of the cranks to operate the hidden headlights. There's another one hidden behind the steering wheel.

Ergonomics hadn't been invented yet. Besides, men were more manly in the '30s. They could easily reach across the car and take the time to crank up their headlights.

Surprisingly, I don't believe many of these ran headlong into trees or streetlights.

Just one more thing.
Right under the louvers that form are the "grill" is a small bump and two flat, but rounded, planes. That is where they put the differential (what splits the turning motion to the two wheels) for the front wheel drive system.

That's one of the reasons why I love old cars. Instead of covering up the mechanical components with crappy plastic engine covers, they integrate it into the design.

Okay, I lied. Just one last thing.

While the sedan is a very, very good looking car. There's an even better version out there.

The 812.


It's black. It's low. It's evil at the core. I hate convertibles and yet I still want to own one of these.

It's an incredibly cool car.

Imagine driving this at night, blasting down a narrow road. Under the squared off hood, the supercharger roars, filling the cabin and drowning out the rush of rubber against asphalt. Wind buffets at the canvas top, making it flap in the wind.

Press down on the gas, and the Cord leaps forward, snarling into the darkness. That's when you up-shift, because overdrive is necessary.