(Editor’s note: Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sports Automobile Manufacturing Company — SAMCO — a company launched by Bill Lear of LearJet, produced Cord replicas in the late 1960s. There were two models, Warrior and Royale. Some 400 were produced.)
I am 83 years old and when I was young I always wanted a Cord. But the older I got the more expansive the Cord became. So I could never afford one.
Just a little over a year ago I finally heard of the Samco Cords.
Having reasonable funds I started searching for a Samco Cord that I could afford. But every time one came up for sale it went fast.
I finally located one outside Boston. It needed lots of mechanical and coachwork but everything was there and original. The good news was that the important items like chrome, lights, dash, boot,and body were very good and price was right.
I purchased it on pictures alone and shipped it home to Florida. Had lots of interesting fun having the repairs done and determining what and who made various parts. Most parts were Ford, including lots of Mustang parts, but the front brakes were Chrysler. Also the front leaf springs were replaced with u unknown coil springs and unknown front end parts.
My alignment guy, who been doing it for 40 years, finally decided the front end was from a 1966 Chevrolet Corvair.
After looking at the botched up job someone did on the steering, we decided to put in a rack and pinion steering. After trying five different setups we finally found one that would fit afterbuilding new frame mounts and cutting away some frame.
I did a lot of homework on the Samco production and history to bring about the restoration. If any of you out there need some help with a Samco Cord, just let me know.
The car a real stopper. People ask what it is and want to take photos of it all the time and I get lots of high signs. It’s a great car to drive with the 302 Ford engine, Cruiseamatic, power brakes and rack and pinion steering.
— Bill Wyatt, Florida
The headlights ruin the styling.