Makes › Phantom Corsair › Phantom Corsair (Rust Heinz, Bohman & Schwartz) · Prototype · 1938 One-off
Phantom Corsair
Phantom Corsair (Rust Heinz, Bohman & Schwartz)
One-off streamlined car on a Cord 810/812 chassis designed by Rust Heinz, built by Bohman & Schwartz
Photo: Andromeda2064 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 1 Built
- Years
- 1938
- Engine
- Front-mounted V8, front-wheel drive (Cord) · 4,700 cc / 4.7 LFactory: 4.7 L
- Power
- 142 kW / 193 PSFactory: 190 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 185 km/hFactory: 115 mph · converted
- Designer
- Rust Heinz
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 1 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Phantom Corsair was a radical one-off streamliner conceived by Rust Heinz of the H. J. Heinz family and built on Cord front-wheel-drive mechanicals. With fully enclosed wheels, push-button doors and a wind-tunnel-shaped aluminium body, it was promoted as 'The Car of Tomorrow' at the 1939 World's Fair.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Phantom Corsair Phantom Corsair (Rust Heinz, Bohman & Schwartz) (Wikimedia Commons: Phantom Corsair)
Photo: Andromeda2064 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Phantom Corsair Phantom Corsair (Rust Heinz, Bohman & Schwartz) (Wikimedia Commons: Phantom Corsair)
Photo: Andromeda2064 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Phantom Corsair Phantom Corsair (Rust Heinz, Bohman & Schwartz) (Wikimedia Commons: Phantom Corsair)
Photo: Andromeda2064 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Phantom Corsair Phantom Corsair (Rust Heinz, Bohman & Schwartz) (Wikimedia Commons: Phantom Corsair)
Photo: Andromeda2064 · CC BY-SA 4.0
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionThe one-off survives at the National Automobile Museum, Reno | 12 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model productionone-off | 11 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Heinz bought a new Cord 810/812 in 1936 and had Pasadena coachbuilder Bohman & Schwartz hand-build an aluminium fastback body from his sketches, at a reported cost of over $24,000. The Cord's 4.7-litre V8 was raised from 125 to 190 hp, and the car seated six. Heinz planned a production version at almost $15,000, but he died in a car crash at 25, leaving the car unique. It was later modified by Albrecht Goertz for Herb Shriner, restored by William Harrah, and is now at the National Automobile Museum in Reno.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Phantom Corsair (Rust Heinz, Bohman & Schwartz).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine manufacturer | Lycoming (Cord V8)3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Front-mounted V8, front-wheel drive (Cord)2 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 84 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 4,700 cc / 4.7 LFactory: 4.7 L2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | Side valve4 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 142 kW / 193 PSFactory: 190 hp · converted2 Independently researched |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | 369 NmFactory: 369 Nm4 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 3,000 rpm4 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 4-speed, electrically operated (Cord)5,4 Independently researchedCarfolio lists a 4-speed manual; Ultimatecarpage describes the Cord electrically operated four-speed. |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Custom A.J. Bayer chassis with Cord 812 front-drive sub-frame3 Independently researchedUltimatecarpage says Cord 810 chassis. |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Aluminium body on steel-tube lattice3 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | 3,175 mmFactory: 3,175 mm4 Independently researched |
| Length | 6,020 mmFactory: 6,020 mm4 Independently researched |
| Width | 1,943 mmFactory: 1,943 mm4 Independently researched |
| Height | 1,448 mmFactory: 1,448 mm4 Independently researched |
| Front track | 1,422 mmFactory: 1,422 mm4 Independently researched |
| Rear track | 1,549 mmFactory: 1,549 mm4 Independently researched |
| Kerb weight | 2,070 kgFactory: 2,070 kg4 Independently researchedSupercars.net says over 4,600 lb. |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 185 km/hFactory: 115 mph · converted2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | 79.6 LFactory: 79.6 L4 Independently researched |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
- 1
-
2
Concept We Forgot: 1938 Phantom Corsair Level C Motor1
- National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada
- 4.7-liter V8, the same unit as the Cord
- 4.7-liter V8
- upgraded from 125 hp to 190 hp
- 115 mph (185 kph)
-
3
1938 Phantom Corsair Level C Supercars.net
- Lycoming 4.7-liter engine
- custom chassis from the AJ. Bayer Company that used a donor Cord 812 drive train
- body in aluminum ... supported it with a steel tube lattice framework
-
4
1938 Phantom Corsair: detailed specifications Level C Carfolio
- 8 cylinder unit
- naturally aspirated, side valve, 8 cylinder unit
- maximum torque of 369 N.m ... at 3000 rpm
- 369 N.m ... at 3000 rpm
- 4 speed manual transmission
- Wheelbase 3175 mm
- Length 6020 mm
- Width 1943 mm
- Height 1448 mm
- Track/tread (front) 1422 mm
- Track/tread (rear) 1549 mm
- Kerb weight 2070 kg
- fuel tank capacity 79.6 litres
-
5
1938 Phantom Corsair Level C Ultimatecarpage.com
- electronically operated four speed gearbox
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