Cord found itself with a number of unsold 1936 models at the end of that model year; these cars were subsequently renumbered and sold as 1937 812s. This cabriolet was among those renumbered cars, and thus has many distinctive, correct features of earlier cabriolets, such as seat sideboards. Further, it retains its original factory serial number and body number tags, and its original engine, having been well preserved by only six owners since 1937.

The car was delivered new to Monte Barton, a well-known early jazz trombonist and songwriter in San Francisco, and remained in his ownership until 1971. Originally finished in dark Cool Orchard Green, it was refinished in its current dark red by the second owner, who sold it in September 1974 to William L. Beck of Napoleon, Ohio. The fourth owner, Morton Feldman, sold the car in 1976 to Glenn Allen of West Bloomfield, Michigan, who would maintain it for the next 18 years. During this time he added the popular supercharged-style side exhaust, as the factory was known to occasionally do at customer request, as well as a 12-volt electrical system, rebuilt Zeppa front axle joints, and a fuel pump. Alfonzo Vacchiano acquired the car from Mr. Allen in October 1994, and would maintain it for another 18 years, before its current owner, a longtime and knowledgeable Cord collector, purchased the 812 in 2011.

Aside from the repaint and side exhaust the car has never received a full restoration, only been well-cared-for since new, and retains its original brass windshield frame. It remains very solid and in fine driver-quality condition throughout.

Accompanying the car are the records of both the current owner, only the sixth caretaker since new, and the two previous long-term owners, both of whom were meticulous record-keepers who preserved every single invoice back to the 1970s. In addition, the car is accompanied by copies of various compositions on which Monte Barton contributed and performed, other Barton family history, and additional ownership history compiled by the consignor.

This is a splendid 812 in every way, with its history still richly evident. It is a jazzy automobile – appropriate for an automobile that likely saw many of this country’s most happening nightspots back in the late 1930s and 1940s.