1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet

There is no disputing the fact that the Cord front-wheel-drive automobiles of the 1920s are a true engineering and styling marvel. The powerful straight-eight engine provides 125 horsepower, allowing performance that rivals its impressive styling.

The L-29 is credited as being the first American front-wheel drive car to be offered to the public, beating the Ruxton automobile to the market by several months in 1929. The brainchild of former Miller engineer Carl Van Ranst, the design of the drive system was borrowed from Indianapolis 500 dominating racers, using the same de Dion layout and inboard brakes. This allowed it to be considerably lower than other cars. The L-29 features full instrumentation, including a temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, and speedometer on the left, with a gas gauge, oil level gauge, and Ammeter on the right of the steering wheel. A number of ahead-of-its-time features are also found on this Cord. Among them are the inboard mounted brakes and central internal chassis lubrication, uncommon among luxury automobiles of the era.

This L-29 Cabriolet was found in a garage in Key West, Florida in the mid-1970s. The current owner's brother had started a full restoration but was unable to complete it. The current owner then took on the task, commissioning the final restoration which was completed in 2010. Finished in Brilliant Blue with gleaming chrome wheels, this is an outstanding example of one of the classic era's sleekest and most desirable Cabriolets.

This front-wheel-drive Cord L-29 was built in February of 1931 and equipped with the more powerful 'FF' engine, a larger 322 cubic-inch unit introduced late in L-29 production. The current caretaker acquired the car from the estate of his brother, who had purchased it in Key West, Florida, in the mid-1980s. The car was a sold and rust-free example in need of a restoration.

The car was soon sold to Ken Clark of Ken's Classics in Pittsfield, Maine. The car was given a restoration and then received its ACD Club Certification as a Category 1 Original Car. It has been shown extensively with the Club, eventually achieving Senior Emeritus honors and the Alan Leamy Award for Best L-29 at the National Reunion in 2014. It's also a Senior car in the AACA and CCCA. The car is a Lion Award winner at the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's. Other show appearances include the Pinehurst Concours d'Elegance and the CCCA Museum Experience.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019