1931 Cord L-29 Prototype Speedster

In 1930, Auburn Automobile Company president Roy Faulkner ordered Cord's in-house LaGrande coachbuilders to create an L-29 Speedster show car based on concept sketches provided by stylist Phillip O. Wright. The boat-tail speedster was sleek and modern, with aircraft-inspired 'pontoon' fenders and a steeply raked Vee windshield. The LaGrande Speedster made its show debut at the 1931 New York Salon, followed by an appearance at the Paris Auto Show and then a French Concours d'Elegance. Near the close of 1931, it was sent to Toronto for a photo shoot. It is believed to have returned to Europe a short time later. Unfortunately, that is where the history ends. It is believed to have been scrapped during World War II.

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 were also obtained.

After extensive research, work began 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 that fit 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