Inarguably the most sought-after of all Cord automobiles is the 812 Cabriolet, popularly known as the “Sportsman,” with the optional supercharged engine. Only 64 such examples were made, and roughly thirty of those remain in existence, many of them prized in long-term ownership within some of the world’s most prominent collections.

Serial number 812 32023 F is an original supercharged Cabriolet and was first registered in Illinois, according to its Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Certification documents. At some point the original engine was replaced with another correct supercharged unit—number FC 3232—still installed today. Subsequent history is known back to 1950, with the most prominent owner having been Lee Richardson of Carefree, Arizona, who purchased the car in 1969 and would own it for 37 years. A highly skilled and talented engineer and devout Cord enthusiast since boyhood, Mr. Richardson developed numerous “fixes” for the Cord’s well-known eccentricities, including the now widely accepted “Richardson joint” conversion for the front-wheel CV joints.

During Mr. Richardson’s long ownership of the Cabriolet, he modified it with his namesake joints, as well as a 12-volt electrical system, a discreetly fitted electric fuel pump and cutoff switch, and an electric radiator fan—as well as power operation for the headlights, ingeniously using Porsche 914 components. All of these are easily reversible modifications, but also contribute well to the car’s use and drivability.

The Cord was sold in 1997 to well-known ACD Club member, the late Hal Bjorklund of Colorado, who had it refinished in Rich Maroon over tan leather with a tan cloth top, as it presents today. It passed in 2007 to Jerry Peterson and several other distinguished owners after that, including the Elkhart Collection of Indiana, which acquired it with plans to drive it in the Copperstate 1000, which unfortunately never came to fruition. The current owner acquired it from the Elkhart Collection in 2020 and has continued its conscientious upkeep.

This original supercharged Cabriolet, well-known in Cord circles as “the Richardson Cabriolet,” would be a highlight addition for any ACD collection, as well as an excellent example for touring, CCCA CARavans, or any number of vintage rallies for which it is exceptionally well-suited.