1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet: A Revolutionary Design That Transformed Automotive History

The 1936 Cord 810 Cabriolet, now on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, represents a pivotal moment in automotive design that challenged traditional engineering and aesthetic conventions. This black beauty, designed by Gordon M. Buehrig, introduced revolutionary features that would influence car manufacturing for generations.

The vehicle's most striking innovations include a front-wheel-drive V-8 engine, a unique steering column-mounted gear shift mechanism, and a radical body design that eliminated traditional grilles. Hidden headlights, operated by a small dashboard hand crank, and a seamlessly integrated convertible top further distinguished this automobile from its contemporaries.

Recognized for its artistic merit, the Cord 810 was featured in the Museum of Modern Art's 1951 exhibit of "Eight Automobiles," where it was praised for embodying the aesthetic of a "fast fighter plane." Its design philosophy merged form and function, creating a vehicle that was technologically advanced and visually stunning.

The museum's exemplar retains its original chassis stub frame and represents a rare opportunity for automotive enthusiasts to experience a true design milestone. Its significance extends beyond mere transportation, serving as a testament to American automotive innovation during the mid-1930s.

Museum owner Ron Sturgeon emphasizes the car's historical importance, noting that the Cord 810 Cabriolet represents the pinnacle of 1930s automotive design and continues to captivate audiences with its forward-thinking approach.