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The effects of the Great Depression were deepening and a toll was to be exacted all around. To remain in business, industries had to become creative and maximize every angle possible. For Errett Cord, that opportunity rested with Hollywood, and Cord had the perfect car to capture the market and propel his image forward.
The chassis would be called the L-29 and it was meant to bridge the gap between the Auburn automobiles and the mighty Duesenbergs. However, the L-29 was no stop-gap measure. The L-29 would end up the foundation for elite Sedans, Broughams, Convertibles, Coupes, and Phaetons.
The grandest examples of them all would have to be four Town Cars supplied to custom coachbuilders. And, perhaps, one of the greatest of them all would have to be a Town Car with coachwork from Murphy & Co.
Chassis 2926823 would be among the most exceptional of all automobiles, let alone Cord. A little more than 5,000 examples of the L-29 would be produced over the course of production and only a very few would ever end up in the hands of custom coachbuilders. Among those 5,000, only about 300 examples of the L-29 remain. Thankfully, of the greatest and grandest, the Model L-29 Murphy Town Car, there are apparently still four in existence. One of them is 2926823.
Cord played to the Hollywood elite and the Town Car would be considered the ultimate in luxurious pleasure. Jay Hyde would recognize the status derived from the imposing Town Car and would have one commissioned to be built by Murphy & Co.
Considered the coachbuilder of choice for Duesenberg, Murphy & Co. was certainly recognized for producing some of the most opulent and luxurious coaches in the United States. The Town Car would be an interesting mixture. Sitting behind the long, narrow nose, the driver sat exposed just ahead of a comfortable enclosed interior. It was, from many angles, a sporty and aggressive-looking machine. But then, from other angles, it appeared, and was, one of the most impressive estate cars around. It is considered one of the most beautiful and elegant American cars ever built.
Of the four Town Cars that are known to exist, two were apparently owned by actors John Barrymore and Dolores Del Rio. It is widely accepted that this particular chassis belonged to Dolores Del Rio sporting a shorter wheelbase and rear-mounted spare tires, unlike Barrymore's examples which was longer in wheelbase and had rear-mounted spare tires.
During the glitzy pre-war days of Hollywood, the Town Car would have been a sight in and of itself. By the end of the Second World War, the car would be found all the way up in the northwest of the country and the property of Fred Thorsen.
In 1959, Jay Hyde would purchase the Town Car and the Cord would remain in the family for more than five decades. For the most part, the car remained hidden away in seclusion. It wasn't lost or forgotten about; it just wasn't seen. Then, in 1987, a glorious day would dawn when the car emerged alongside other Cords at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Last seen publicly in 2000, the 1930 Cord still remained highly original. And, while there would be clear evidence of the originality of the car with some deteriorating features, the car was as grand as ever.
Sympathetically cleaned and maintained throughout the years, 2926823 retains its original look and feel and instantly transports gawkers back to another period. Cord would eventually dissolve into memory. However, Cord's marketing strategy was right. There is no way of looking at the Town Car and not remembering the days of Hollywood's golden age.
Offered via Bonhams' 2015 Amelia Island auction, the 1930 Cord Model L-29 Town Car would be a unique opportunity to own a stately, highly-original Cord. When the bidding came to an end, the final sale price would be $1,760,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.By Jeremy McMullen
The chassis would be called the L-29 and it was meant to bridge the gap between the Auburn automobiles and the mighty Duesenbergs. However, the L-29 was no stop-gap measure. The L-29 would end up the foundation for elite Sedans, Broughams, Convertibles, Coupes, and Phaetons.
The grandest examples of them all would have to be four Town Cars supplied to custom coachbuilders. And, perhaps, one of the greatest of them all would have to be a Town Car with coachwork from Murphy & Co.
Chassis 2926823 would be among the most exceptional of all automobiles, let alone Cord. A little more than 5,000 examples of the L-29 would be produced over the course of production and only a very few would ever end up in the hands of custom coachbuilders. Among those 5,000, only about 300 examples of the L-29 remain. Thankfully, of the greatest and grandest, the Model L-29 Murphy Town Car, there are apparently still four in existence. One of them is 2926823.
Cord played to the Hollywood elite and the Town Car would be considered the ultimate in luxurious pleasure. Jay Hyde would recognize the status derived from the imposing Town Car and would have one commissioned to be built by Murphy & Co.
Considered the coachbuilder of choice for Duesenberg, Murphy & Co. was certainly recognized for producing some of the most opulent and luxurious coaches in the United States. The Town Car would be an interesting mixture. Sitting behind the long, narrow nose, the driver sat exposed just ahead of a comfortable enclosed interior. It was, from many angles, a sporty and aggressive-looking machine. But then, from other angles, it appeared, and was, one of the most impressive estate cars around. It is considered one of the most beautiful and elegant American cars ever built.
Of the four Town Cars that are known to exist, two were apparently owned by actors John Barrymore and Dolores Del Rio. It is widely accepted that this particular chassis belonged to Dolores Del Rio sporting a shorter wheelbase and rear-mounted spare tires, unlike Barrymore's examples which was longer in wheelbase and had rear-mounted spare tires.
During the glitzy pre-war days of Hollywood, the Town Car would have been a sight in and of itself. By the end of the Second World War, the car would be found all the way up in the northwest of the country and the property of Fred Thorsen.
In 1959, Jay Hyde would purchase the Town Car and the Cord would remain in the family for more than five decades. For the most part, the car remained hidden away in seclusion. It wasn't lost or forgotten about; it just wasn't seen. Then, in 1987, a glorious day would dawn when the car emerged alongside other Cords at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Last seen publicly in 2000, the 1930 Cord still remained highly original. And, while there would be clear evidence of the originality of the car with some deteriorating features, the car was as grand as ever.
Sympathetically cleaned and maintained throughout the years, 2926823 retains its original look and feel and instantly transports gawkers back to another period. Cord would eventually dissolve into memory. However, Cord's marketing strategy was right. There is no way of looking at the Town Car and not remembering the days of Hollywood's golden age.
Offered via Bonhams' 2015 Amelia Island auction, the 1930 Cord Model L-29 Town Car would be a unique opportunity to own a stately, highly-original Cord. When the bidding came to an end, the final sale price would be $1,760,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.By Jeremy McMullen
2015 Bonhams Amelia Island Auction
Sale Price :
USD $1,760,000
1930 Cord L-29 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Cord L-29
(Data based on Model Year 1930 sales)
1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Sold for USD$88,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1930 CORD L-29 CABRIOLET Chassis#: 2929384 Sold for USD$173,600 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | |
1930 CORD L29 BROUGHAM Chassis#: FDA1785 Sold for USD$55,000 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ | |
1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Chassis#: 2928415 Sold for USD$275,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1930 Cord L-29 Brougham Chassis#: 2927601 Sold for USD$103,400 2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1930 Cord L29 Cabriolet Chassis#: FD4121 Sold for USD$75,900 2019 Mecum : Monterey | |
1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan Chassis#: 2927299 Sold for USD$157,300 2019 Auburn Spring : RM Auctions | |
1930 Cord 1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Chassis#: FD3577A Sold for USD$95,200 2019 Bonhams : Tupelo Auction | |
1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2927299 Sold for USD$156,800 2019 Bonhams : Amelia Island | |
1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Sold for USD$203,500 2018 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan Chassis#: FDA3007 Sold for USD$173,250 2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Chassis#: FD3161BA Sold for USD$165,000 2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1930 CORD L29 SPORT PHAETON Chassis#: 2925858 Sold for USD$253,000 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1930 CORD L29 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN Chassis#: FD3007A Sold for USD$137,500 2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1930 CORD L29 4-DOOR BROUGHAM Chassis#: FDA1785 Sold for USD$300,000 2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Chassis#: 2927648 Sold for USD$187,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Motor City | |
1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Chassis#: 2928140 Sold for USD$203,500 2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Chassis#: 2928423 Sold for USD$137,500 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan Sold for USD$137,500 2015 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1930 CORD MODEL L-29 TOWN CAR Chassis#: 2926823 Sold for USD$1,760,000 2015 Bonhams Amelia Island Auction |
Cord L-29s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1930 Cord L-29's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet | 2926853 | 2019 Mecum : Monterey | |||
1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Sedan | FDA3007 | 2018 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours | $160,000 | $200,000 | |
1930 Cord L-29 | 2926853 | 2016 Motostalgia : Amelia Island Auction | $425,000 | $550,000 | |
1930 Cord L-29 Roadster | 2013 Auctions America Fall Carlisle | $60,000 | |||
1930 Cord L29 Cabriolet | 2012 Leake Auctions Tulsa | $140,000 | |||
1930 CORD L29 CABRIOLET | 2927033 | 2011 Worldwide Auctions The Auburn Auction | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
1930 CORD L29 CABRIOLET | 2927033 | 2011 Worldwide Auctions The Auburn Auction | $175,000 | $200,000 | |
1930 Cord L-29 Phaeton Convertible | 2009 Carlisle Auction 09 Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction | ||||
1930 CORD SEDAN FOUR DOOR | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $74,000 |
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1930 Cord L-29
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