 1930 L-29 |
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1931 Cord L-29 news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Phaeton Sedan |
The car has just completed extensive 'refreshing.' The A.C.D. Club has certified this car as an authentic Cord and one of only 17 of this body style left in the U.S. as of March 31, 1993.
 | Rumble Seat Cabriolet |
The Cord was one of only two marques available for sale in 1930-1931 with front wheel drive. With front-wheel drive it eliminated the need for a drive shaft, hence cords are significantly lower than their contemporaries, thus appear racier.
E.L. Cord sold pizzazz, consequently the Cord cars were presented in striking color schemes, unusual features, look at the Art Deco touches, especially on the dash board area and what was presented as advanced engineering.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
 |  |  | Rumble Seat Cabriolet |
The motor is a Lycoming straight eight with a 298 cubic-inch displacement that generates 125 horsepower. The transmission is mounted in front of the engine and the shift lever changes gears in an innovative manner.
 |  | Prototype Speedster Coachwork: LaGrande |
This replica was built using an original Cord chassis and running gear. Much attention was paid to creating an exact replica, and the result is stunning. The replica was the creation of Dr. Fay Culbreth, who commissioned Stan Gilliland, of Kansas, to build the vehicle. The coachwork was constructed by Mark Kennison.
The original Phil Wright speedster is not known.
This front drive replica is powered by a 298 cubic-inch Lycoming eight-cylinder engine offering 125 horsepower. It rides on a wheelbase that measures 138 inches.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
 |  |  | Rumble Seat Cabriolet Chassis Num: 2930061 |
| Sold for $341,000 at 2012 RM Auctions. | |||
The work was completed just one week before the 2009 Auburn Cord Duesenberg Reunion, where it was honored with the E.L. Cord Award as the Best L-29 and Best of Show with the Harold T. Ames Award. Other recent awards include a First Primary award, with 100 points, at the 2010 Classic Car Club of America meet at Malvern, Pennsylvania and a First Junior from the Antique Automobile Club of America at Canandaigua, New York. It received First Senior honors at the 2010 Auburn Reunion and Best American Classic at the Radnor Concours d'Elegance in Pennsylvania.
Awards in 2011 include First Senior at 100 points at the Dearborn, Michigan CCCA Grand Classic meet, Senior Emeritus and Best L-29 at the Auburn Reunion, First Premier at the Canton, Ohio Grand Classic and Best Classic at the Glenmoor Gathering.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the RM Auction's Amelia Island sale. It was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $275,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $341,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
 |  |  | Prototype Speedster Coachwork: LaGrande Chassis Num: 2927156 Engine Num: FD2687 |
| Sold for $290,800 at 2012 Bonhams. Sold for $368,500 at 2012 RM Auctions. | |||
In the mid-1990s, Arnold A. Addison was commissioned to restore a cord L-29 convertible Sedan. The result of the work netted him a spare L-29 frame and other authentic components. A correct 298 cubic-inch Cord L-29 engine and front-drive three-speed transmission was also obtained.
After extensive research, work began on re-creating the legendary 1931 Cord L-29 LaGrande Speedster. The car was finished in Cashmere Cream and Royal Cranberry colors. In 2004, after nine years and 20,000 man-hours of research and labor, the new LaGrande Speedster was completed.
The car features a working convertible top, a cigar rack built into the driver's door, and a bar set including two decanters which fits into the passenger door. As per the original, a (reproduction) Duesenberg-type altimeter supplements the standard L-29 instrumentation.
In 2007, the car was purchased by the late John O'Quinn.
In 2012, the car was offered at The Scottsdale Sale presented by Bonhams. It was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2012
 |  | Phaeton Sedan |
 |  | Sedan |
This L-29 Sedan was residing in an airplane hangar in Waxahachie, Texas when the current owner purchased it. It was all original and complete. A four year restoration was completed in 2007 and it won best in class at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club in 2007 and 2008.
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
| Magnificent Series of Coachbuilt Classics To Grace RM's Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance Sale | |
 | • RM Auctions returns as the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, March 9, 2013 • Single-day sale features breathtaking roster of more than 80 investment-quality collector cars • Notable highlights include an outstanding series of coachbuilt classics headlined by a multi-million-dollar 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Walker-LaGrande Convertible Coupe and a trio of Cords from the personal collection of Jim Fasnacht • Frequently updated list of entries available online at r...[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...] |
| Worldwide's fifth annual The Auburn Auction to be held at the National Auto and Truck Museum | |
 | In recent years, Worldwide Auctioneers has established its annual catalogue event, The Auburn Auction, as an integral part of the Labor Day festivities at the long standing Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival Weekend. This year the fifth annual event will be at the heart of the action, with today's announcement that The Auburn Auction will take place in the historic setting of the National Auto and Truck Museum (NATMUS), housed in the former factory L29 Cord building of the legendary Auburn Automobi...[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...] |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1931 |
| Packard Model 833 Standard Eight ($2,400-$3,475) |
| LaSalle Model 345A ($2,195-$3,245) |
| Franklin Series 15 ($2,295-$3,345) |
| Studebaker President Series 90 ($1,850-$2,550) |
Average Auction Sale: $238,974 |
| Cord: 1931-1940 |
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| Cord History |
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| 810/812 L-29 |
| 1930 L-29 |
