’37 Cord

The 1937 Cord, best known as the Cord 812, was one of the most daring American cars of its era. Its long, sculpted hood and hidden headlights gave it a futuristic look that stood apart from anything else on the road. Technically, it was just as bold: front-wheel drive, a pre-selector gearbox, and optional supercharging were advanced features for the time. Despite its innovation and striking design, the Cord 812 was expensive and mechanically complex, which limited sales. Today, that failure has turned into legend—making the 1937 Cord an icon of automotive ambition rather than commercial success.