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Wanted Cord Sportsman


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One thing that's easy to find is an 810 to 812.   There always seem to be several for sale.  One thing that's not so easy to find is a cheap one.   If you have 100,000- 125,000  You should be able to have a good one in your garage in a week.  More if you want a perfect or solid 2 or better car.

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I have not seen a Conv Coupe in any condition for sale under 100k in the last 10 years.   Not to say it hasn't happened but I have not seen one.   An 810 in drivable/presentable condition should be available for 125k or so.   As condition improves so does the price.   Add a blower more,  add a factory blower even more, etc.   I think the best one in the world can probably be had for 250-275k.    Interesting to track the disparity in pricing with the 35/36 Auburn Speedster which has shot over the moon.

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Fair market price is OK . Not looking to rip anyone off. ( or get ripped off!)  Black is first choice but not mandatory. Supercharged or otherwise not mandatory. Midwest to North East best for me  to facilitate  inspection.

Does not have to be and would not expect a 100 point car but don't want junk either.

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Barry,

 

What do you consider fair market price for a FC Sportsman?

 

What do you consider fair market price for a FB Sportsman?

 

Assuming they are nice cars that run drive and shift as they should.

 

Cordially,

Andy

Edited by Brass is Best (see edit history)
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I am not in a hurry. Let's wait and see what the Auburn auction prices are and I'll pay half that .  ;)  Seriously though , I have checked pricing and it is all over the map. 

Years ago I was smitten by the look of one in the early morning at Hershey. It was black and just looked so right to me.I also saw an original paint one at the Waterdown Ontario hot rod swap circa mid 80's. I believe that belonged to a chap named Al Webster. Unusual color combo, blue with red upholstery with a beautiful patina. I would kill for one like that rather than an over restored job. Anyone know where that car is?  I know there are plenty of phaetons available

and a knowledgeable local restorer/collector told me the Westchester was the "pure original form" as conceived by Buehrig but I don't care the "sportsman" is the one for me.

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So in your opinion what would "Fair" pricing be?

That's an impossible question to answer as there are too many variables. Fair pricing is when the seller and the buyer are both happy with the deal . Watch Jay Leno's Garage as he explains how he acquired his Westchester.  It's very entertaining as are most of the videos on his site, one can spend a lot of time there! 

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I agree with Barry that there are too many variables for a would-be buyer to set a price, particularly on a Cord.

I know of a supercharged phaeton that sold a few years ago, at a fair market price. Later, the buyer found out the supercharger was just a shell, and many critical parts were missing, including the SC camshaft. That's a $20K plus problem, and now puts the owner in the bucket.....

There are usually a lot of phaetons available, but cabriolets don't pop up as often. A good one will bring good money, and there are getting to be fewer and fewer unrestored or "driver quality" Cords available at lower prices.

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Thanks for the tips gentlemen. Exactly the kind of advice I was hoping for. I will definitely let you know how the search goes and post photos here if successful. I gotta say they look pretty stunning in red and that  burgundy phaeton on Peter's website is not too shabby either.  That blue? color of the Auburn auction car just strikes me as strange although the car looks very well done.

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That red convertible coupe is a pretty car. I don't think the 125k range for that car is unreasonable. I see a few minor issues, to the dealer's credit he even points out the door fit issue.

But, here's another example of how the wrong parts can mean good money to be spent. My Cord was fairly correct and complete when I got it, with wrong carb, no fuel pump (had electric), and the sealed beam headlight conversion, as this car has.

One call to Stan Of ACD parts got the correct carb and fuel pump. The correct headlight buckets, with original reflectors and lenses, were another story. Looked for years, finally about 8 years ago, a set came up on Ebay. Determined to get them, I paid over $800, and they're on the car now. IF you can find a set today, not sure what they would cost, but more than that.....

So, even though this car looks nice, there's still money to be spent.......

Edited by trimacar (see edit history)
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Ha , ha !  Now my enquiry is going to backfire and drive the prices up even higher ! Maybe I should buy the buckets before I even find the car ! 

   New info  !!  I just got a warning to watch out for sedans that have been converted to cabriolets in Argentina and being offered for sale in the U.S.  ! I suppose if the quality is akin to the Pursang replicas  they may be indistinguishable to an amateur such as I.  

Edited by grease monkey (see edit history)
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That Worldwide car is a very nice car from the pictures, and has the right names associated with mechanical work done.  Correct color, more or less, although the exact "cigarette cream" color is debated even in the ACD club.

 

As I've stated before, the chance of finding an old restoration "driver" quality car at a bargain price is very small, since most open Cords have been fully restored and kept at high standards for show.  That's one reason I keep mine as is, even though it's a little ratty and old paint job is peeling off.  The car gets more attention than a restored one, since there are so few unrestored ones.....

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That's a beauty David. Great that you had the sense to retain the original patina. I agree 100% with that and get the same reaction with some of my motorcycles. Of course there are always the  annoying uninformed who comment "when are you going to paint that? " 

Maybe I should broaden my search to include an original phaeton! 

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Thanks. The motorcycle and bicycle collectors have valued originality for a long time, in most cases a good unrestored bike will bring much more money than a restored bike.

My Cord runs and drives, and while not pretty, isn't shameful either (I tell people the most beautiful thing about the car is my name on the title!). I'm in my mid 60's, so if I started to restore now, I'd probably be poorer by five years and many tens of thousands of dollars when done, it's just not worth losing that amount of time enjoying it.

On your search, I think that one, you need a fair amount of money to go after a convertible, $50k in your pocket won't do it. Second, you need to be able to move quickly, sealing a deal when the right car comes along. There's no shortage of deep pocket individuals who'll buy nice Cords, and being hesitant won't get you one.

My Cord was advertised in Hemmings in the '80's, turned out the owner was an acquaintance met while touring in Texas. He was 400 miles away, the day after I saw the ad, first thing in the morning, I was on his doorstep with a deposit. He later told me that if he'd had a dozen just like it, he'd have sold them all......

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I know my car even having the wrong drivetrain couldn't be had for less than 70,000.  I do have alot of correct parts and some in multiples to put it back but to find an open one with a body as nice as mine would be a tough order to fill now a days.  I really don't want to sell it anyways and would really rather trade it for an open Auburn if anything.

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Edited by auburnseeker (see edit history)
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I used to think my phaeton was worth 40 or 50, I told someone I thought now maybe 65, and he thought that was low.  My car might not be pretty, but as AS says his is, so is mine, solid as a rock with no rust, and in addition, very complete and correct (it is ACD certified).  It's not for sale, because I couldn't afford to buy another one, and like it!

 

I saw the unrestored phaeton that sold in the 50's, as mentioned, it was a collection of parts that appeared complete, but it doesn't take many missing or mangled pieces on a Cord to add up to big money.  That car went straight to a restoration shop, and the new owner will probably have 200K+ in the car before it's done.

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I have been told some of the workmanship on the original cars was a little crude. Is there any truth to this or is it just a rumour? Also curious about how many of the fixed top coupes were made. There was  a brown one for sale in the car corral at Hershey last year. I saw this  same  car at Auburn in 2009 parked on the street. I had a great weekend there , Auburn is such a beautiful town and the Museum the icing on the cake.

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There were three fixed top 810/812 Cords factory built. Two were standard, one was supercharged. In the list of surviving cars, it seems only one survivor is listed.

There is a documented recreation of a fixed top coupe, made from parts of other cars. I do not know if this is the "survivor" listed.

It's interesting to note that the majority of 810/812 Cord built were sedans. Over 70% of 810/812 Cords were closed cars, 21% were "convertible phaeton sedans" (610 cars) and 7% were "convertible coupes" (205 cars).

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I think they made 2 or 3 of the original coupes.  There are at least another 2 replicas.

 

Any build or engineering issues with the cars have been figured out and documented by the club.  You can dial a Cord 810/812 in to the point where it is a great prewar car.  Good power, plenty of legs and great styling. 

 

I agree on Auburn Indiana.  Mid-westerners are super nice people too.  The reunion (which is next weekend) is always a blast.   Sadly, the Hupp/Graham factory has been liquidated so no more spending a day there.

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