1931 Cord L-29 Rumble Seat Cabriolet

There was just one two-door factory model cataloged in Cord's four-model L-29 lineup - the all-weather Cabriolet with rumble seat. This particular example is from the family of the late Reno physician Dr. William A. O'Brien III. Dr. O'Brien purchased the L-29 in 1953 for $350 after discovering the car in Lovelock, Nevada. The car was in poor shape and was in need of a full restoration. After purchasing the vehicle, a restoration began. The work took four years to complete and cost $15,000. Upon completion, it was finished in black, with the chassis and inner fender surfaces done in red. It was given chrome wire wheels, available by special order in 1931.

The car was then shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won its class and was Runner-Up to a Rolls-Royce Phantom III for top honors. The car was shown only once after that, at a Harrah's show in 1966. During 2008, Dr. Obrien's heirs lent out the Cord for a National Automobile Museum display in Reno.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2016