The JBS Collection
ELKHART, IN — The fully-restored 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible originally owned by American aviator Amelia Earhart—now a part of The JBS Collection, represented by Laura and Jack Boyd Smith Jr. of Elkhart, Indiana—is under glass and on public display, through Sept. 5, at Washington D.C.’s National Mall as part of the Cars at the Capital event.
The honor, presented in conjunction with the the Hagerty Drivers Foundation, recognizes the Cord’s induction earlier this year into the National Historic Vehicle Register.
The National Historic Vehicle Register, under the collaborative auspices of the Library of Congress and the Hagerty Drivers Foundation, is the only list of its kind recognized by the federal government to promote and preserve the cultural, historical, and technological significance of the automobile. Earhart’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible is the 33rd vehicle to be inducted into the register.
“The automobiles in The JBS Collection represent the ultimate in design, craftsmanship, and innovation, and it’s important to both Laura and I to find and preserve these historical treasures,” said Jack Boyd Smith Jr. “The historical value and provenance of Amelia Earhart’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible can’t be overstated. Ms. Earhart purchased this car shortly before her final flight. She famously chose to be photographed with the Cord and her plane: two machines she loved dearly. We’re deeply grateful to honor her legacy by restoring this Cord and we’re proud to present it at our nation’s capital.”
The JBS Collection
The 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, designed by American automobile architect Gordon M. Buehrig, set an early standard for luxury, design, and innovation. The Phaeton’s interior, featuring a machine-turned aluminum dashboard, closely resembles the cockpit of an airplane, and the Cord’s front-wheel-drive was the first of its kind in the American automobile industry.
Earhart’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible went through several owners after the famed aviator’s 1937 disappearance and was ultimately disassembled and parted throughout the country.
In 2018 The JBS Collection purchased the automobile from collector Ray Foster, who, after many years of research, was able to find the Phaeton’s original components and unite the car’s original frame with its original engine. After procuring the vehicle from Foster, Jack Boyd Smith Jr. commissioned LaVine Restorations, Inc., of Nappanee, Indiana, to bring Earhart’s automobile back to its original specs and its original glory.
“This was the type of project, from beginning to end, that Laura and I are just honored to be able to make happen, and to be a part of,” said Jack Boyd Smith Jr. “So much went into the restoration of Ms. Earhart’s Cord, on every level, and the quality of the work done by Vivian and Eric (LaVine) and their team to bring this car back to life is just simply astounding. This project, this car, this story—this one checks every box.”
The JBS Collection
About The JBS Collection – The JBS Collection’s automobiles represent the ultimate in early automotive design, craftsmanship, and innovation. Educating future generations about the merits and importance of each piece guides every addition to the collection. The select autos in The JBS Collection are more than just vehicles; they demonstrate what can be achieved with forward thinking and effort. The collection seeks to advance the cause of preserving and promoting invaluable vessels of art, design, engineering, luxury, and heritage.
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