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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

2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $220,000-USD $260,000 
Sale Price :
USD $187,000

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 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2927175
Sold for USD$229,600
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
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 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
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
1931 Cord L-29 image  
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 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
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 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2929758
Sold for USD$407,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29
Chassis#: 2929245
Sold for USD$280,000
  2013 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction
1931 Cord L-29 image  
1931 Cord L-29 La Grande Boattail Speedster Recreation
Chassis#: 2927156
Sold for USD$368,500
  2012 RM Auctions - St. Johns, Michigan
1931 Cord L-29 image  1931 Cord L-29 image  

Cord L-29s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1931 Cord L-29's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet41172019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island $300,000$350,000
1931 Cord L-29 CabrioletFDA42012018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale $325,000$375,000

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1931 Cord L-29 Vehicle Profiles