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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
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 Cabriolet Chassis#: 2927175 Sold for USD$229,600 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
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 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 | |
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 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 Cabriolet Chassis#: 2929758 Sold for USD$407,000 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1931 Cord L-29 Chassis#: 2929245 Sold for USD$280,000 2013 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1931 Cord L-29 La Grande Boattail Speedster Recreation Chassis#: 2927156 Sold for USD$368,500 2012 RM Auctions - St. Johns, Michigan |
Cord L-29s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1931 Cord L-29's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet | 4117 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $300,000 | $350,000 | |
1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet | FDA4201 | 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale | $325,000 | $375,000 |
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1931 Cord L-29
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