Aviation icon Amelia Earhart’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, a vehicle embodying groundbreaking automotive design, has undergone an extraordinary restoration. Discovered in disrepair decades after her famed disappearance and its subsequent sale by her husband, the car’s meticulous revival by collector Jack Boyd Smith, Jr., and LaVine Restorations, Inc., highlights its unique airplane-inspired features and preserves a tangible piece of Earhart’s personal legacy for future generations of enthusiasts.
While the name Amelia Earhart instantly evokes images of daring flights and pioneering aviation, the legendary pilot also had a profound appreciation for revolutionary design on land. Just nine months before her fateful disappearance over the Pacific in 1937, Earhart acquired a vehicle that was every bit as innovative and forward-thinking as her own endeavors: a 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible. This car, a marvel of American engineering and style, has now been meticulously restored, offering a unique glimpse into the personal life of one of history’s most celebrated figures.
The Cord 812: A Testament to Automotive Innovation
The Cord 810, and its later iteration the Cord 812, manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company, were not just luxury cars; they were rolling masterpieces of engineering and design. Conceived by the celebrated designer Gordon Buehrig, the Cord 810/812 was so distinctive it was chosen for the Museum of Modern Art’s ‘Eight Automobiles’ exhibition in 1951, where curator Arthur Drexler declared it “the outstanding American contribution to automobile design.”
The Cord introduced a legion of “industry firsts” that solidified its place in automotive history. These included:
- America’s first front-wheel-drive car with independent front suspension.
- World’s first hidden headlamps, raised by dashboard cranks.
- The famous louvered ‘coffin-nose hood’ with a wraparound grille.
- A steering wheel horn ring, a significant safety feature.
- A locking, covered gas filler cap and concealed exterior fillers for coolant and engine oil.
- Hidden door hinges and a ‘step-down’ floor, contributing to its sleek, low stance.
- Partially unibody construction, ahead of its time.
- A disappearing top for convertibles, fully concealed by a metal cover, and rear quarter windows in the phaeton, eliminating blind spots.
The advanced engineering, including a Lycoming 125 hp V-8 engine, and an optional supercharger boosting output to 170 hp, made the Cord a performance powerhouse. In fact, a supercharged Beverly sedan won the Stevens Challenge Trophy in 1937, setting a land speed record that stood for 17 years, as noted by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club.
Amelia Earhart’s Connection to the Groundbreaking Convertible
Amelia Earhart, known for pushing boundaries in the air, found a kindred spirit in the innovative design of the Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible. Her car’s design incorporated numerous airplane elements, a nod to the fact that E.L. Cord, the company’s president, also owned the Stinson Aircraft Company. Travis LaVine of LaVine Restorations, Inc., noted that the interior of the Cord featured “a lot of airplane aesthetic ideas and concepts and flip switches.”
This personal connection to the Cord makes its recent restoration all the more poignant. Following Earhart’s disappearance, her husband, George Palmer Putnam, sold the convertible. Over the decades, the car passed through various owners, gradually losing its original components and falling into a state of severe disrepair. It was eventually described as an “awful rust bucket” with missing parts, a testament to the challenges faced by its future restorers.
The Herculean Task of Restoration: A Collector’s Passion Project
The mission to reassemble and restore Amelia Earhart’s Cord was taken on by collector Jack Boyd Smith, Jr., owner of The JBS Collection, in partnership with Travis LaVine. Smith stumbled upon the car in a disastrous state, but upon realizing its historical significance, he “fell in love with this car.” He then collaborated with Texas collector Ray Foster, who had owned the car for over 30 years and had already diligently researched its history and tracked down many necessary components.
The restoration was a monumental undertaking, requiring extensive detective work to recover original elements that had been lost over time. This included the car’s original frame and engine, which Foster had managed to reunite. Beyond the major components, the team embarked on an exhaustive search for smaller, unique features that made Earhart’s car distinctive. LaVine emphasized the rigor involved: “there were attorneys involved in taking statements on this and codifying all the information together. There was a tremendous amount of effort that went into vetting, validating and documenting this car before restoration even began.”
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Among the crucial items successfully recovered were three particularly unique elements: the original ashtray, the ‘suicide knob‘ on the steering wheel, and the compass. These seemingly small details contribute significantly to the car’s authenticity and its story, underscoring the dedication of the restoration team to historical accuracy.
Why This Restoration Matters to Enthusiasts
For classic car enthusiasts and historians alike, the restoration of Amelia Earhart’s Cord is more than just refurbishing an old vehicle; it’s a profound act of historical preservation. It connects a tangible piece of automotive excellence with the indelible legacy of an American hero. The meticulous research, the tracking of components, and the commitment to authenticity resonate deeply within the collector community, particularly those involved with organizations like the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club.
The story of this Cord highlights the enduring passion for preserving automotive heritage. As detailed by Hagerty, a leading classic car insurer and media company, the unique history and the extensive efforts to bring such a significant vehicle back to its original glory make it a centerpiece of automotive lore. The finished product, proudly displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 2023, serves as a powerful reminder of a bygone era of innovation and the remarkable individuals who embraced it, both in the skies and on the open road.
A Legacy Reimagined
Amelia Earhart’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible stands as a powerful symbol of an era defined by bold ideas and groundbreaking achievements. Its restoration by Jack Boyd Smith, Jr. and Travis LaVine is a triumph of dedication, ensuring that this unique blend of aviation and automotive history continues to inspire. It’s a compelling narrative for any fan community, showcasing how passion can resurrect not just a machine, but a piece of an icon’s untold story.
