1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet

The Cord L-29 was the first major American production car with front-wheel drive. Its lack of a driveshaft tunnel allowed the bodies to be mounted low on the frame, resulting in a vehicle that was no taller than a person of average height. On the inside, they had flat floors, allowing for spacious and comfortable seating. Unfortunately, the L-29 was born at the worst possible moment and was offered just as the Great Depression's crushing weight came down on the automobile industry. As a result, the production of the car faded away into the history books shortly after its arrival.

This particular example is a cabriolet that has a history that can be traced back to 1946, when it was purchased for $750 by a Mr. Huffey of Cincinnati, Ohio. After several intervening short-term owners, it was purchased in 1953 by Jerry Fisher of Piqua, Ohio, largely complete, less its top and several small items. Hubert Wood of South Charleston, Ohio, performed an amateur restoration in 1969. It was purchased in 1980 by a new owner who proceeded to drive it to his private museum in the American West, where it remained until 2013. It is currently in European ownership and has been comprehensively restored by Packard and Classic Cars of Bremen, Germany. The car was completely disassembled, with the frame sandblasted and powder-coated, springs and axles disassembled, sandblasted, and painted. A full engine rebuild included new Babbit bearings, pistons, rings, and shell bearings, a new camshaft, the crankshaft polished and balanced, and the block bored and honed and heads planed. The cooling system, water pump, generator, and starter were rebuilt, and a new radiator was installed. The transmission was checked and cleaned, and a new clutch and pressure plate installed. Front ball joints were custom-made and hardened to original specifications.

This car has its original chassis, engine, and cabriolet body. It has its unrestored original luggage rack and its original serial numbers and body tags.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017