Chrysler Aero

HELP.... A gentleman came into the parts store where I work and asked me if I would be interested in purchasing a 1966 replica of a 36 Cord roadster commissioned by Chrysler. HMMMM, I'd never heard of such a thing. Another MOPAR buddy told me that it wasn't a replica but rather a car called the AERO.

My customer said it was a thick and slick fiberglass body, had a 440 and torqueflite in it, and was pretty much the oddest thing he'd ever seen. Weather being what it has been and it getting dark so early, I have yet to go see it.

Does anyone know about these cars? How many, what they are worth both unrestored and restored. Where could one get the correct information about them. AND DOES CHRYSLER HISTORICAL SOCIETY have a website?

My more knowledgable friend said he believed they made about 2300 of them but they were never intended to be released, but rather doled out for six month trials like the turbine jobs. One mid-exec supposedly inverted a couple of numbers so they could be ordered and about 1000 actually left the plant, the rest were buried in a rock quarry.

I don't know if ANY of this is true, but this car is waiting for me to look it over and make an offer. What would be a fair price.

Thanks, Rev. Mopar Racewthrev@aol.com OR call (865) 660-2440.

Make sure to take lots of pics. I want to see it!

Looks like I got to the bottom of this mystery. AND I have purchased the car.

It was built in 1968 by the Cord Motorcar Company of Tulsa, OK. That company was resurrected by Bill Lear of Learjet fame. It is a replica of a 1936 Cord (coffin nose) made of plastic developed by Gates Rubber Co. The car(s) came in two permutations, and four possibilities. There was the Warrior (which this one is) and the Royale. They came with your choice of a 302 Ford driveline with a C-4, or a Dodge 440 Magnum backed by a torqueflite. The Warrior was a 108 inch wheelbase and the Royale was 113. In short the car is SMALL. It has era Mustang seats and shifter, Stewart Warner guages, etc.

The thing is on a full frame of undetermined origin as yet, but my bet is it is a Ford thing or hand crafted as MOPAR was all Unit bodied.

There were a total of 430 Cord's built with less than 100 documented to exist. The only parts missing on this example are the flexible 3" stainless (PHONY) exhaust pipes that were the signature of the original Cord.

I will take pictures as quickly as I can get it out from under wraps.

If anyone knows anything about this car,TELL ME PLEASE as I am committed now that it is purchased. Won't be out much even if I don't do anything with it except drive it to the garage as I picked it up for less than $2000.

Any websites, clubs, etc that anyone might discover, please let me know

Thanks, Rev. Mopar

Your car sounds like a SAMCO Cord, a later relative of the Glenn Pray Cord 8/10 which was Corvair powered. Glenn Pray did the first replica Cord in the early 1960's with hideaway headlights. I will bet yours has exposed headlamps. After Pray went belly-up, others continued on. The Pray cars have a more faithful body than the Samco cars. I don't think they had any affiliation with Chrysler whatsoever.

Go here and you will learn lots more...

Auburn Cord Duesenberg 2nd Gen & Replica Forum

Glenn Pray Cord Group

Here's one with a 440 for sale:
Samco Cord For Sale

Some info here, most of which has already been stated.

Got any pics?

Sounds like a cool find, let's see some pics.