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1929 Cord L-29 news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Speedster |
The super-long front allowed body engineer John Oswald to craft a flowing hood fenders ensemble, and Auburn chief designer Al Leamy applied a Duesenberg-style radiator that only accented that impressive length and lowness conferred by front-wheel drive. In all, the L-29 looked sensational in its four 'factory' body types: Sedan, Brougham, Phaeton, and Cabriolet. Numerous celebrities bought L-29s, and coachbuilders at home and abroad created stunning custom bodies. Standard models were fairly priced in the $3100-3300 range.
Brooks Stevens purchased this Speedster new and redesigned the body in the mid 1930s. It has many advanced design features for its time and is extremely fast and agile for an L-29. Mr. Stevens kept the car for 65 years and used it in many road races, hill climbs and road rallys. The current owner purchased the car from his estate in 1997.
 |  |  | Cabriolet Designer: Harry Miller |
The super-long front allowed body engineer John Oswald to craft a flowing hood fenders ensemble, and Auburn chief designer Al Leamy applied a Duesenberg-style radiator that only accented that impressive length and lowness conferred by front-wheel drive. In all, the L-29 looked sensational in its four 'factory' body types: Sedan, Brougham, Phaeton, and Cabriolet. Numerous celebrities bought L-29s, and coachbuilders at home and abroad created stunning custom bodies. Standard models were fairly priced in the $3100-3300 range.
Brooks Stevens purchased this Speedster new and redesigned the body in the mid 1930s. It has many advanced design features for its time and is extremely fast and agile for an L-29. Mr. Stevens kept the car for 65 years and used it in many road races, hill climbs and road rallys. The current owner purchased the car from his estate in 1997.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008
This was the first front-wheel-drive car to get serious production in America. Cord was introduced in November 1929 and was designed to occupy a sales position between Auburn and Duesenberg automobiles. This car is a category No. 1 certified original car and was the 78th of 633 produced in 1929.
The Cord was powered by a 298.6 cubic-inch, 125 horsepower, straight eight-cylinder engine, and the 4,300 pound car rests on a 137.5 inch wheelbase. The standard Cord sold for between $3,000 and $3,300.
The Cord was powered by a 298.6 cubic-inch, 125 horsepower, straight eight-cylinder engine, and the 4,300 pound car rests on a 137.5 inch wheelbase. The standard Cord sold for between $3,000 and $3,300.
 |  |  | Cabriolet Designer: Harry Miller Engine Num: FDA 1282 |
| Sold for $165,000 at 2007 Christies. | |||
This example has been in the same ownership since the late 1980s and has been exhibited in a museum. The prior history is unknown and a chassis number could not be found on the vehicle. It has an older restoration though is still in fair condition. It has many of its period fittings such as the engraved door handles, firewall mounted sidelights, golfers/doctor's side door, luggage rack, and dual side mounted spares. It has a chromed mesh grille and chrome wire wheels.
It was offered without reserve and estimated to sell at auction for $120,000 - $200,000. Those estimates proved to be accurate as the car was sold for $165,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007
 |  |  | Cabriolet Designer: Harry Miller |
The Cord L-29 was America's first mass produced front wheel drive automobile. The stance was eleven inches lower than the average production car of its day. With a 137-inch wheelbase it makes for a very sleek looking vehicle. Cord's of this era could be painted in a custom color such as this white example, for an additional cost of $20.
The Cord L-29 was one of the first cars in the world that featured an interior that was styled to reflect the lines and grace of the exterior. Under the bonnet was a 298.6 cubic-inch Lycoming straight eight, which produced 125 horsepower. The wheelbase measures 137.5-inches, and the car weighs 4300 pounds. When new, the Front Drive Cord L-29 Cabriolet cost $3295.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
 |  |  | Speedster |
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
 | Sedan |
This example is an original example that was built in October of 1929, which was the first full month of production. It is perhaps the earliest surviving unrestored example of an L-29. During the production run, many recalls, changes and updates were made on the L-29 such as changing the size of the wheel spokes and moving the batter to the side of the vehicle from under the hood. None of those changes were performed on this vehicle, which makes it a great example of initial production run of Cords.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
The Cord L-29 was revolutionary, using a front-wheel drive system rather than the popular rear-wheel drive configuration. Many believed that having the front wheels be responsible for turning, carrying the bulk of the weight, providing stopping power and for driving were too much. With the rear wheel drive systems, the weight could be dispersed throughout the body to take advantage of weight distributed. Cord wanted to be different and explore the possibilities of a front-wheel configuration.
Errett Lobban Cord was a visionary, promoter, young and intelligent individual when in 1924 he joined the Auburn Automobile Company which was under performing in respects to sales. Cord was able to revitalize sales and by 1926 he was in control of the company. He then began buying up companies such as Duesenberg Motor Company and Lycoming and brought them under the Cord Corporation.
With control of Duesenberg and Auburn automobiles, the Cord Corporation was positioned for success. What the company lacked was an automobile that could fill the price gap that existed between these two nameplates. The result was a luxury car named after himself, the Cord L-29. The Cord L-29 used a front-wheel drive system. Many people believe Cord used the front-wheel drive configuration because he wanted to exploit the advantages of a low-profile design. Rear-wheel-drive cars sat higher above their driveshafts because the engineers had not figured out how to let the shaft run through the passenger compartment.
Cornelius Van Ranst was tasked as the chief engineer for this unique automobile. John Oswald, a man responsible for many of the Auburn designs, contributed to the L-29. The result was dramatic styling that was attractive and elegant.
Under the hood lurked an 299 cubic-inch eight-cylinder Lycoming engine. The 125 horsepower engine could carry the 4600 pound vehicle to a top speed of just 77 mph, a respectable speed but not the fastest vehicle available.
Since it was a front-wheel drive system, the normal mechanical configuration needed rearrangement. The transmission and differential were in the front, ahead of the engine. The hood was very long, a result of having so many mechanical components in the front. The rear suspension used leaf springs and a beam axle while the front used a deDion type solid axle with quarter elliptic leaf springs.
As was the case in early years of automotive construction, custom coachbuilders were often tasked with providing the bodywork and designs. In 1930 an L-29 with styling courteous of Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky was bestowed with prestigious awards at the Monaco Concours d'Elegance.
Two months after the introduction of the Cord L-29 the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. Just like many other manufacturers during this time, sales plummeted and production was low. To compete, Cord dropped prices in 1930 in an attempt to stimulate sales. For 1931 a large engine producing just over 130 horsepower was installed under the hood. Unfortunately, this was not enough and production ceased at the close of 1931.
During its production run lasting from 1929 through 1931, fewer than 5,000 total examples were created. In 1930 only 1,873 united were produced. Although production was halted in 1931, there were 157 L-29's dubbed as 1932 models.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
For more information and related vehicles, click hereErrett Lobban Cord was a visionary, promoter, young and intelligent individual when in 1924 he joined the Auburn Automobile Company which was under performing in respects to sales. Cord was able to revitalize sales and by 1926 he was in control of the company. He then began buying up companies such as Duesenberg Motor Company and Lycoming and brought them under the Cord Corporation.
With control of Duesenberg and Auburn automobiles, the Cord Corporation was positioned for success. What the company lacked was an automobile that could fill the price gap that existed between these two nameplates. The result was a luxury car named after himself, the Cord L-29. The Cord L-29 used a front-wheel drive system. Many people believe Cord used the front-wheel drive configuration because he wanted to exploit the advantages of a low-profile design. Rear-wheel-drive cars sat higher above their driveshafts because the engineers had not figured out how to let the shaft run through the passenger compartment.
Cornelius Van Ranst was tasked as the chief engineer for this unique automobile. John Oswald, a man responsible for many of the Auburn designs, contributed to the L-29. The result was dramatic styling that was attractive and elegant.
Under the hood lurked an 299 cubic-inch eight-cylinder Lycoming engine. The 125 horsepower engine could carry the 4600 pound vehicle to a top speed of just 77 mph, a respectable speed but not the fastest vehicle available.
Since it was a front-wheel drive system, the normal mechanical configuration needed rearrangement. The transmission and differential were in the front, ahead of the engine. The hood was very long, a result of having so many mechanical components in the front. The rear suspension used leaf springs and a beam axle while the front used a deDion type solid axle with quarter elliptic leaf springs.
As was the case in early years of automotive construction, custom coachbuilders were often tasked with providing the bodywork and designs. In 1930 an L-29 with styling courteous of Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky was bestowed with prestigious awards at the Monaco Concours d'Elegance.
Two months after the introduction of the Cord L-29 the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. Just like many other manufacturers during this time, sales plummeted and production was low. To compete, Cord dropped prices in 1930 in an attempt to stimulate sales. For 1931 a large engine producing just over 130 horsepower was installed under the hood. Unfortunately, this was not enough and production ceased at the close of 1931.
During its production run lasting from 1929 through 1931, fewer than 5,000 total examples were created. In 1930 only 1,873 united were produced. Although production was halted in 1931, there were 157 L-29's dubbed as 1932 models.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
| RM Readies For Highly Anticipated Hershey Sale | |
 | • Final countdown underway to RM Auctions' annual Hershey, Pennsylvania sale, October 11–12 • Auction features approximately 120 historic automobiles joined by a select series of vintage motorcycles and an assortment of memorabilia • Automobile offering led by famous 1931 Duesenberg Model J Dual Windshield 'Barrelside' Phaeton, winner of the epic 1932 race at Lake Muroc in California • Duesenberg headlines select group of 10 automobiles from the distinguished Ray Bowersox Collection; sale als...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz Classic at the 2012 Grossglockner Grand Prix | |
 | • Revival of the mountain race from the 1930s • Mercedes-Benz SSK and W 125 at the start • 92 bends, 14 hairpins, 15 kilometres and a 1300-metre altitude difference The Grossglockner mountain race was one of the most prestigious motor sports events of the 1930s. This year it will be revived with the 2012 Grossglockner Grand Prix to be held from 20 to 22 September 2012 and Mercedes-Benz will be there with some famous cars. In 1938, the brand took part for the first time. As a classic c...[Read more...] |
| The Champion in Touring Car Racing : The BMW M3 | |
 | In August 1985, a rumour surfaced in motor magazine Auto-Deutschland which emanated from a new sports car. An A Group Car from BMW that was a thoroughbred racing car according to the rules but was also to be produced in a version licensed to drive on open roads for everyday use. Speculation about this dream car that could take to normal roads and was intended for the 'Most dynamic among BMW 3 Series drivers' was right on target. But the pundits missed the mark about the motor-sport car by a mile...[Read more...] |
| Auctions America By RM's 2012 Auburn Spring Auction | |
 | 'Variety' is the buzzword for this year's Auctions America by RM June 1-3 Auburn Spring auction, which will offer a huge range of collector vehicles and an enormous private collection of automotive memorabilia. More than 600 American muscle cars, Classics, foreign sports cars and hot rods will cross the block at the historic Auburn Auction Park, the company's national headquarters in Auburn, Indiana. 'Last year was our first spring event at the park,' said Auctions America by RM's President ...[Read more...] |
| The world-renowned ‘Old Bill' Comes to Market | |
 | The world-renowned 'Old Bill', which has featured in every book ever written about the incomparable Brough marque, ticks all the above boxes and just about every other one too. It has been consigned by H&H for auction as part of the Roger Allen Collection at the company's Duxford sale on October 4. However, it can be viewed as early as April 28/29 at the International Classic Motorcycle Show, Stafford. It carries an estimate of £250,000-270,000. The motorcycle originally known as 'Spit & Pol...[Read more...] |
| Cord: 1921-1930 |
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| 1930 L-29 |
