V8 Powered Custom 1941 Graham Hollywood
This is not a Cord. It looks like a Cord, it’s made with Cord tooling, but it’s not a Cord. After the death of the 810/812 and subsequent liquidation of Cord’s assets, through a series of business deals, the tooling to make the 810/812 ended up in the hands of Hupp and Graham-Paige, each making their own version of the iconic and innovative Cord 810/812 “Coffinnose,” though with some important caveats in the engineering. Rarer than the Cord it’s based on, this Hollywood can be found here on eBay with some important tweaks made.
Both Graham-Paige and Hupp’s versions of the Cord took its two most known features — front-wheel drive and the nose design — and replaced them. Each manufacturer supplied their own inline six-cylinder engines for their newly rear-wheel-drive cars, but the redesigned noses were almost identical to each other, and both lacking the coffin shape and hidden headlights. This Graham takes that powertrain one step further and replaces the Graham straight six with a Chevrolet V8 crate motor and TH400 automatic transmission. The seller doesn’t say which crate motor is in it, but judging by the size of the thing and the chunky manifolds, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it’s a big block of some type.
Inside is proper luxe, with the original bench seats replaced by Mercedes power bucket seats and wood paneling, and the addition of a Pioneer stereo system. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, though, and seldom does a modern interior work with a vintage car, in this writer’s opinion. Regardless, it’s undoubtedly comfortable and daily driveable.
The seller has taken this on a road trip around the lower 48 states, and it’s won awards at shows and rallies. Complete with build photos and documentation, this is a great addition to anyone who likes the underappreciated side of the classic car world. This custom build has its own merits, but how many people do you know who have a stock Graham Hollywood? Have you ever even seen one? Everyone knows the Cord. Until this article, I had never heard that the 810/812 had an afterlife. This might be a fun project to turn back to factory specifications.
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Comments
I’m kind of disappointed the vanity plate on this doesn’t read “Casper”
The “blob” maybe? An insult to a truly amazing car,,
Or perhaps “Schmoo”
Exactly!
Between the enclosed wheels and totally wrong paint color, the word “insult” sure does apply here.
Wow. Looks like EL Cord got together with Ms Sta-Puf and had a baby that wouldn’t get kissed by a desperate politician…
That’s a 350, judging by the headers.
Small block has the middle two closer together as shown; big block has all four evenly apart.
Creepy.
Is that a car or did someone’s sourdough starter escape?
It’s kinda cute…looks like a schmoo…
It’s Funky and different I like it.
Nope.
I think it is cool ,different ,unique. Beauty in the eye of the beholder. If you are not driving it then do not worry about the looks. I personally think cool ,it looks like it is floating.
If we stop worrying about the looks, Barn Finds will lose 75% of the readership
(So don’t worry about looks, unless you like them. Got it …)
The car was in a junk yard in Ashland,KY and made from two 41 Grahams and one 37 Cord — This is what you would end up with if you have over $160,000 to spend in 2001.
Probably looks best from the drivers seat:-)
I sure wouldn’t want to change a flat tire on that car…
Well brake dust is now a non issue haha. But seriously thats alittle much on the front end
My eyes hurt.
The Pillsbury Doughboy called; he wants his car back.
They really should take the cover off before they drive it.
Sharp turns must be fun .
He took what was never really a good looking car (especially a 4dr) and made it 10 times uglier.
A $15.00 sabre saw on that fiberglas body should quickly fix the closed wheel well problem!
Don’t stop there. Why not cut a hole in the hood and have more engine sticking out ?
It looks goofy to me.
I’ve seen this car in person twice at the Ducktail Run in Gas City, IN. It was never open….nice to see the interior and under the hood. Unfortunately it seems like a lot of effort/$ for an average/odd result. Maybe this was the prototype for Justin Bieber’s floating Rolls Royce?
That picture reminds me of Ghostbusters.
Added a Willys’ tilt front (with Neon lights) to the Graham shell? Like the way he peaked all the fenders. Or were they molded that way?
Looks like a Crosley rear ended a “41 Willys!
What’s the turning circle like? Nothing worse than 38 point turns!
i think the head lights are made for star watching
Guess you don’t need to make turns.
I like the tires
Fugly.
Looks like its on its way to being a Erwin Wurm fat car.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rocor/18776091228
When I saw a side photo of this car. I realized I have a 12″ long pressed steel version of this basic car with those full fenders. It was made by the Louis Marx Toy Co.
FWIW, the toy looks as bad as the real car does.
Marshmallow with hemorrhoids…..👎