Automotive Masterpiece: 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet Showcases Revolutionary Design at DFW Car & Toy Museum
The DFW Car & Toy Museum displays a rare 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet, a groundbreaking automotive design that challenged conventional engineering and aesthetics of the 1930s, representing a pivotal moment in automotive innovation.
The 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet, now on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, represents a pinnacle of automotive design that revolutionized the industry in the mid-1930s. Designed by Gordon M. Buehrig for Auburn Automobile Company, this vehicle introduced multiple innovative features that were decades ahead of its time.
The Cord 810 Cabriolet challenged traditional automotive design with its front-wheel drive V-8 engine and unconventional styling. Its most striking features include hidden headlights operated by a dashboard hand crank, a one-piece hood opening from the front, and a seamless body structure that integrated the frame and engine mounting.
Notably, the car was recognized for its artistic merit, being featured in the Museum of Modern Art's 1951 exhibit of "Eight Automobiles." The design was praised for its sleek lines that evoked the dynamism of a fighter plane, blending aesthetic appeal with technological innovation.
The vehicle's unique design elements included a disappearing convertible top that remained hidden under a flush-fitting tonneau when closed, creating an exceptionally smooth silhouette. Its elimination of traditional grilles in favor of seven sleek louvers around the nose further emphasized its forward-thinking approach.
While the museum's displayed model features a replacement engine, it retains its original chassis stub frame, offering automotive enthusiasts a rare glimpse into a transformative period of car design. Museum owner Ron Sturgeon describes the Cord 810 Cabriolet as a "true automotive legend" that continues to captivate car lovers and historians alike.
This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to examine a vehicle that fundamentally challenged automotive design conventions, demonstrating how innovative engineering and aesthetic vision can reshape an entire industry.