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1931 Cord L-29 Rumble Seat Cabriolet

This Cord L-29 cabriolet has spent most of its life in the Los Angeles area. Its earliest known owner was Eddie Brewer, a dialect coach at one of the Hollywood film studios. In the late 1940s, Brewer sold the car to Osro J. Smith, a charter member of the Horseless Carriage Club of America. In the 1960s, it went to Smith's daughter, Marcella Smith Cartwright, from whom the current owner acquired it in 1996. A 12-year restoration followed. The power train includes the rare 322 cubic-inch engine made available late in 1931. It has been completely rebuilt with insert bearings and modern seals.

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 the buyer's premium.

2012 RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Fla

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $225,000-USD $275,000 
Sale Price :
USD $341,000

1931 Cord L-29 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Cord L-29

(Data based on Model Year 1931 sales)
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2929758
Sold for USD$280,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2927175
Sold for USD$229,600
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: FD3954
Sold for USD$131,600
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale Arizona
 
1931 CORD L29 CABRIOLET
Chassis#: 2929884
Sold for USD$275,000
  2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona
 
1931 Cord L-29 Brougham
Chassis#: 2928803
Sold for USD$89,100
  2020 RM Sothebys : The Mitosinka Collection
 
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2928916
Sold for USD$242,000
  2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, Arizona
 
1931 Cord L-29 Brougham
Chassis#: 29929177
Sold for USD$44,000
  2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
 
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2231
Sold for USD$224,000
  2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2928916
Sold for USD$210,000
  2018 RM Sothebys : Auburn Spring
 
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 3916
Sold for USD$187,000
  2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
1931 Cord L-29 image  
1932 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 4987
Sold for USD$236,500
  2017 RM Sotheby's : Arizona Auction
 
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2929506
Sold for USD$180,000
  2015 WorldWide Auctions - Houston Classic Auction
 
1931 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan
Chassis#: 2930071
Sold for USD$156,750
  2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 Convertible Sedan
Sold for USD$258,500
  2014 Worldwide Auctions - Auburn
 
1931 Cord L-29 Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2928812
Sold for USD$258,500
  2014 The 7th Annual Auburn Auction
 
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2929244
Sold for USD$246,488
  2013 RM Auction - London
 
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2929040
Sold for USD$231,000
  2013 RM Auctions - St John's
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2929758
Sold for USD$407,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29
Chassis#: 2929245
Sold for USD$280,000
  2013 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction
1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 La Grande Boattail Speedster Recreation
Chassis#: 2927156
Sold for USD$368,500
  2012 RM Auctions - St. Johns, Michigan
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  

Cord L-29s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1931 Cord L-29's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet41172019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island $300,000$350,000
1931 Cord L-29 CabrioletFDA42012018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale $325,000$375,000

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1931 Cord L-29

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