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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.
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 Cabriolet Chassis#: 2927175 Sold for USD$229,600 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
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 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 | |
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 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 Cabriolet Chassis#: 2929758 Sold for USD$407,000 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1931 Cord L-29 Chassis#: 2929245 Sold for USD$280,000 2013 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1931 Cord L-29 La Grande Boattail Speedster Recreation Chassis#: 2927156 Sold for USD$368,500 2012 RM Auctions - St. Johns, Michigan |
Cord L-29s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1931 Cord L-29's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet | 4117 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $300,000 | $350,000 | |
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet | FDA4201 | 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale | $325,000 | $375,000 |
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1931 Cord L-29
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