1931 Cord L-29

The Cord L-29 holds the distinction of being the first major American car to offer front-wheel drive to the public. Introduced during an era of conservatism in automotive engineering coupled with the financial devastation caused by the Great Depression, the existence of the front-wheel drive Cord was brief. They were mechanically genius and stylistically gorgeous, but these two qualities went unnoticed during the Depression in favor of more practical matters. Production of the L-29 began in Auburn in late-1929 and wound up in late-1931 with a token run of 1932 models. Only about 5,000 had been made.

Errett Lobban Cord

The empire created by Errett Lobban Cord had the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg marques at its core, and during their brief existence, each made a lasting and dramatic impression. The genesis of the story began with the turnaround of Auburn in the early 1920s by E.L. Cord through effective marketing. The company was struggling to get rid of stodgy-looking inventory when Cord arrived, replacing the somber colors with bright multi-tone paint schemes. By 1926, Cord was the President of the Auburn Automobile Company and soon enlisted one of the best designers in the trade, Al Leamy. Faster and more powerful engines were developed by Lycoming, another company owned by Cord.

Within the hierarchy, the Auburn marque offered nearly unprecedented value, and its moderately-priced eight-cylinder lines set a standard for performance, appearance, and value. E.L. Cord acquired the Duesenberg Automobile and Motors Company in 1925, having been impressed by the Duesenberg brothers, August and Fred, skill as master engineers and builders, and their ability to build cars that could surpass any others the world could deliver. Cord's idea was to bring that reputation to market and rival the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Hispano-Suiza, Bugatti and many more. E.L. Cord presented Fred Duesenberg with the task of designing and building an entirely new super automobile that could surpass the world's most magnificent automobiles and become 'The Mightiest American Motorcar.' That goal came to fruition on December 1, 1928, when the Model J was introduced to the public.

The Cord Corporation

The Cord Corporation was founded by Errett Lobban Cord as a holding company for his numerous (over 150) companies he controlled, mostly in the field of transportation. It was formed on December 28th, 1929, and went defunct on December 23, 1937.

The Cord automobile was intended as a medium-priced car with innovative engineering and distinctive styling. Emulating the dynamic energy of the era, the Cord was a youthful automobile with roomy passenger accommodations, adequate headroom, and a low ride height. Positioned between Auburn and Duesenberg in Cord's product range, the Cord automobile was intended to go head-to-head with Cadillac, Packard, and Pierce-Arrow in the $3,000 - $4,000 price range.

Cord L-29

Production of the 'L-29' commenced at the Auburn, Indiana plant in April 1929, with a two-day press launch in June. The first L-29 prototype was completed in late 1928, and Cord was joined on its maiden voyage by chief engineer C.W. Van Ranst and Harry Miller. The competing front-drive Ruxton was announced about a month before Cord's L-29, but Cord beat them to production and to market by several months. The complexity of front-wheel drive and its successful application within a production vehicle that could challenge industry orthodoxy was monumental. Cord reputedly once stated, 'One of my first principles is to be different – not spectacular or contrary, but different.'

Front-drive experimentation had occurred much earlier in America through J. Walter Christie's racing cars as early as 1904 and by Harry Miller's highly competitive 1925 FWD Indianapolis 500' car. Cornelius Van Ranst and Tommy Milton further developed the Miller FWD design with their Miller-powered 1927 Indianapolis car. Tested and used in motorsports, the front-drive concept had yet to be applied to a production car.

Cord FWD Design and Development

E.L. Cord acquired the rights to Miller's front-wheel drive design to use as the basis for his front-drive production car. The development in road-going guise has been credited to engineer Cornelius Van Ranst, working using some of Indianapolis legend Harry Miller's front-drive patents, and Auburn Chief Engineer Herbert Snow.

The design was simplistic; essentially, it was a rear-wheel drive car with everything tuned around. An early prototype revealed a lack of chassis rigidity and vibrations on uphill turns. These were resolved by adding a central X-member to the 137.5-inch wheelbase chassis (an industry first), and double U-joints on the front axles. The suspension was designed by Van Ranst and based on de Dion ideas, and the brakes were moved inboard, as on the Miller Indy cars.

The Lycoming L-head inline 8-cylinder engine was sourced from the Auburn 120 and had a displacement size of 298 cubic inches. The engine was reversed within the engine bay so that the crankshaft exited the block at the front of the car and the flywheel mounted there, driving the three-speed transmission that rested between the front wheels. With the engine mounted backward, special gearing was needed to allow it to be cranked in the normal direction. Accordingly, the three-speed transmission supplied by Detroit Gear required a reversed shift quadrant. Additionally, a long shift lever was needed to control the relocated transmission and extended from the L-29's dashboard down the length of the engine compartment and ended at the gearbox.

Styling

Working with chief engineer Thomas Litle, Alan Leamy's automotive design work experience began with Marmon from March 1927 to April 1928. Upon learning of E.L. Cord's stated intention to build a front-drive automobile, Leamy wrote directly to him asking for a position. Cord forwarded the request to Van Ranst, who was impressed with Leamy's design sketches and offered him the position of L-29 chief stylist in August 1928.

The mechanical complexity of the L-29 was great, but so was the task of creating its coachwork. The long drivetrain package necessitated by the L-29's inline eight-cylinder and front-drive system required Al Leamy to sketch one of the longest hoods ever penned. Modern and youthful, the styling was inspired by European coachwork, similar to those that influenced the designs of General Motors's Harley Earl. Also, like many European top custom coachbuilders of the era, Leamy preferred lighter colors and pastels.

The L-29 was offered initially in Sedan, Brougham, Convertible Coupé and Phaeton versions, at prices ranging from $3,095 to $3,295. The design possibilities afforded by the low-slung L-29 chassis attracted several American and European custom coachbuilders, and 43 custom-bodied L-29s were ultimately created. Among the list of coachbuilders were Murphy & Co., Voll & Ruhrbeck, and d'Leteren Freres. Additionally, Brooks Stevens purchased a Speedster new and redesigned the body in the mid-1930s.

In total, 5,010 examples of the L-29 were built.

La Grande Speedster

Philip O. Wright was a young designer when he presented a boattail speedster design proposal for the Cord L-29 to Auburn President Roy Faulkner. Mr. Wright had been working for the Walter M. Murphy Company in Pasadena and created coachwork for the Duesenberg Model J. The boattail speedster design had a steeply-raked vee'd windshield, aircraft-inspired 'pontoon' fenders, and teardrop-shaped blisters covering the door hinges. After the design gained approval, the coachwork was built by Union City Body Company, part of E.L. Cord's growing industrial complex. The work was completed in time for the New York Auto Salon in late-1931, where it was introduced as the La Grande Speedster. After New York, it was shown in Toronto, Canada, and then at Cord dealerships throughout North America.

After its North American tour, the La Grande Speedster returned to the factory in Auburn, Indiana for a refresh, with its slim Woodlite headlights, which were illegal in Europe, replaced by standard, round headlights. It then departed for France, where it appeared with actress Suzy Vincent at the Paris Concours d'Elegance and achieved First Place, repeating the success of Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and his Hayes-bodied L-29 the prior year. It remained in Europe during World War II, and due to the conflict, its history has been lost to time, and its whereabouts or fate remains a mystery. It remains the only Cord L-29 to receive Philip Wright's La Grande Speedster coachwork.

by Dan Vaughan

Phaeton Sedan
Chassis number: 2930071
Engine number: FF 4998

The Cord L29 was the first production automobile with front-wheel drive. All models, open and closed, were built on a 137.5-inch wheelbase. The Lycoming straight-engine produced 125 horsepower.

Because of the front-wheel drive feature, the L29 Cord was much lower and sleeker than most cars of the day. It lasted from 1930 to 1932, producing 5,010 cars of all body styles.

This 1931 L-29 Phaeton Sedan (Convertible 5-passenger Sedan) has a known history since the 1950s, was restored in the 1960s, and was a CCCA winner in the late 1960s. It was later owned by Tom Lester's wife, Shirley, and then resided in Bobby Crump's Museum in New Orleans until the 1990s when the current owners purchased it. The car rides on a 137.5-inch wheelbase and weighs 4,500 pounds. It is powered by a 298.6 cubic-inch, in-line, 8-cylinder engine developing 125 horsepower. It was the most expensive Cord in 1931 and sold new for $3,295.

The car has just completed extensive 'refreshing.' The A.C.D. Club has certified this car as an authentic Cord and one of only 17 of this body style left in the U.S. as of March 31, 1993. It is the 4,771st L-29 built. It is a late 1931 production model and is equipped with the 'FF' engine, which was a bored-out 322 cubic-inch unit that was stronger than the earlier version, reportedly produced more horsepower, and came with a more efficient exhaust manifold.

Prototype Speedster by LaGrande
Chassis number: 2927156
Engine number: FD2687

In 1930, Auburn Automobile Company president Roy Faulkner ordered Cord's in-house LaGrande coachbuilders to create an L-29 Speedster show car based on concept sketches provided by stylist Phillip O. Wright. The boat-tail speedster was sleek and modern, with aircraft-inspired 'pontoon' fenders and a steeply raked Vee windshield. The LaGrande Speedster made its show debut at the 1931 New York Salon, followed by an appearance at the Paris Auto Show and then a French Concours d'Elegance. Near the close of 1931, it was sent to Toronto for a photo shoot. It is believed to have returned to Europe a short time later. Unfortunately, that is where the history ends. It is believed to have been scrapped during World War II.

In the mid-1990s, Arnold A. Addison was commissioned to restore a cord L-29 convertible Sedan. The result of the work netted him a spare L-29 frame and other authentic components. A correct 298 cubic-inch Cord L-29 engine and front-drive three-speed transmission were also obtained.

After extensive research, work began re-creating the legendary 1931 Cord L-29 LaGrande Speedster. The car was finished in Cashmere Cream and Royal Cranberry colors. In 2004, after nine years and 20,000 man-hours of research and labor, the new LaGrande Speedster was completed.

The car features a working convertible top, a cigar rack built into the driver's door, and a bar set including two decanters that fit into the passenger door. As per the original, a (reproduction) Duesenberg-type altimeter supplements the standard L-29 instrumentation.

In 2007, the car was purchased by the late John O'Quinn.

In 2012, the car was offered at The Scottsdale Sale presented by Bonhams. It was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

The low-slung Cord L-29 featured styling courtesy of the legendary Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. This young Russian nobleman took up auto styling in the 1920s, winning five Grand Prix prizes at the Monte Carlo Concours d'Elegance. The L-29 Cord was his fifth win and the first for an American car. Its front-wheel-drive chassis enabled him to design a car that was 10 inches lower than competitive cars; the design he submitted was six inches lower still. In addition, the L-29 boasted a streamlined grille, the first to surround the radiator with sheet metal.

The Cord L-29 was priced at $3,295, but having been introduced coincidentally with the Stock Market Crash, only 5,010 were built when production ceased in 1932. L-29 referred to the prototypes D number and was adopted as the model's name.

Cornelius Van Ranst and Harry Miller (of Indy racing fame) were responsible for engineering the L-29, which featured a 137-inch wheelbase incorporating the industry's first X-braced frame and front brakes mounted inboard (by differential) to reduce unsprung weight. Mounting the transmission behind the front axle in combination with a 125 horsepower Lycoming 298.6 cubic-inch straight-eight made for excellent handling.

This L-29 Sedan was residing in an airplane hangar in Waxahachie, Texas, when the current owner purchased it. It was all original and complete. A four-year restoration was completed in 2007, and it won best in class at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club in 2007 and 2008.

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.

Manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company, the L-29 was one of the first front-wheel drive cars and was considered the star of the 1929 model year. The car was also named in honor of the manufacturer's owner and president, E.L. Cord. Front-wheel drive made it possible for the car to have a low profile and caused quite a stir in the auto industry in 1929. The front-wheel drive innovation allowed the L-29 Cord to be the official pace car for the 1930 Indianapolis 500 race.

The motor is a Lycoming straight eight with a 298 cubic-inch displacement that generates 125 horsepower. The transmission is mounted in front of the engine, and the shift lever changes gears in an innovative manner.

Prototype Speedster by LaGrande

This 1931 Cord is an authentic recreation of the car that made its debut at the 1931 Paris Automobile Show. Paul Berns, the husband of screen actress Jean Harlow, purchased the original car off the Paris show floor. It was designed by 23-year-old Philip Wright. Construction of the original was credited to LaGrande, a fictitious coachbuilder of Union City Body Company, a Cord subsidiary.

The L-29 Speedster was displayed at auto shows in both Europe and the United States in 1931 in hopes of stimulating slumping Cord sales. It won first prize in the 'Concours d'Elegance en Automobile' in Paris, France, in June 1931.

This replica was built using an original Cord chassis and running gear. Much attention was paid to creating an exact replica, and the result is stunning. The replica was the creation of Dr. Fay Culbreth, who commissioned Stan Gilliland of Kansas, to build the vehicle in 1994. The coachwork was constructed by Mark Kennison. Guided by archival photographs from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, the coachwork was reconstructed and the car assembled on an original L-29 chassis. The car has an unusual amenity for a car built during prohibition. A panel on the passenger's door opens to reveal a hide-away cocktail bar.

The fate of the original Phil Wright speedster is not known.

This front-drive replica is powered by a 298 cubic-inch Lycoming eight-cylinder engine offering 125 horsepower. It rides on a wheelbase that measures 138 inches.

by Dan Vaughan

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.
Chassis number: 2930061

This Cord L-29 cabriolet has spent most of its life in the Los Angeles area. Its earliest known owner was Eddie Brewer, a dialect coach at one of the Hollywood film studios. In the late 1940s, Brewer sold the car to Osro J. Smith, a charter member of the Horseless Carriage Club of America. In the 1960s, it went to Smith's daughter, Marcella Smith Cartwright, from whom the current owner acquired it in 1996. A 12-year restoration followed. The power train includes the rare 322 cubic-inch engine made available late in 1931. It has been completely rebuilt with insert bearings and modern seals.

The work was completed just one week before the 2009 Auburn Cord Duesenberg Reunion, where it was honored with the E.L. Cord Award as the Best L-29 and Best of Show with the Harold T. Ames Award. Other recent awards include a First Primary award, with 100 points, at the 2010 Classic Car Club of America meet at Malvern, Pennsylvania, and a First Junior from the Antique Automobile Club of America at Canandaigua, New York. It received First Senior honors at the 2010 Auburn Reunion and Best American Classic at the Radnor Concours d'Elegance in Pennsylvania.

Awards in 2011 include First Senior at 100 points at the Dearborn, Michigan CCCA Grand Classic meet, Senior Emeritus and Best L-29 at the Auburn Reunion, First Premier at the Canton, Ohio Grand Classic, and Best Classic at the Glenmoor Gathering.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the RM Auction's Amelia Island sale. It was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $275,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $341,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

Phaeton Sedan

This Cord L-29 Phaeton was imported back from Uruguay and completed a 20-year restoration in the late 1990s by a previous owner. The L-29 Cord was the first American front-wheel drive car launching just months before the Ruxton automobile in 1929. The drive system was borrowed from Indianapolis 500 race cars using the same de Dion chassis layout and inboard brakes. This allowed the car to be much lower than conventional cars and enabled the spectacular design developed by Alan Leamy. The L-29 rode on a 137.5-inch wheelbase and was powered by a Lycoming 301 cubic-inch straight 8-cylinder engine producing 125 horsepower.

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.
Chassis number: 2929040
Engine number: FD3696A

This Cord L-29 Cabriolet was built in July of 1930 and was a late 1930 model that remained unsold as the industry entered 1931. The chassis was re-numbered by the factory from 2928480 to the present 2929040, explaining the presence of both numbers of the chassis.

The car was in long-term ownership by Tom Landers and Bobbie Crump of Louisiana prior to joining the present owner's collection. The car was given a restoration in the late 1990s and was issued Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club certification number CL-077, certifying it as a Category One car.

The car is finished in red and black, with a black leather interior and black canvas top. It has dual side-mounted spares, chrome wire wheels, driving lights, and dual cowl lights.

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.

This 1931 Cord Rumble Seat Cabriolet has been driven 13,800 miles since new. This front-wheel drive vehicle has been well-maintained since new. It has a rumble seat, white wall tires, dual side mounts, and chrome bumpers.

The Cord was one of only two marques available for sale in 1930-1931 with front-wheel-drive. With front-wheel-drive it eliminated the need for a drive shaft, hence cords are significantly lower than their contemporaries, thus appear racier.

E.L. Cord sold pizzazz, consequently, the Cord cars were presented in striking color schemes and unusual features; look at the Art Deco touches, especially on the dashboard area, and what was presented as advanced engineering.

by Dan Vaughan

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.

The Cord L-29's front-wheel drive system provided outstanding handling and tractability for its time, but the car was not a high-performance machine: top speed was only 75 mph. In an attempt to solve that issue, later Cords such as this Cabriolet featured the larger 'FF' engine, which provided slightly more power and torque.

The original restoration of this factory-bodied L-29 Cord was performed for noted enthusiast Chip Conner, and was awarded Second in Class during the L-29 feature year at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1987.

Collector Jim Fasnacht acquired the car from Conner 15 years later, and had the restoration extensively freshened, with great attention to accuracy and authenticity. The car returned to Pebble Beach and was again a class winner. It went on to garner Best L-29 at the ACD Club National Reunion, where it was judged by the most knowledgeable L-29 experts and found to be flawless.

The car has unusual headlamps known as Woodlites. These were popular accessories on low-slung 1930s luxury automobiles. The design was intended to focus a narrow beam of intense light directly forward, rather than spreading the light in a method of 'bowl' headlamps of the day.

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.
Chassis number: 2929245
Engine number: FD 4046

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 Dan Vaughan

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.

The current owners purchased this car in 1976, in what would be called 'in barn find' condition, from John Cowan in Danbury, Connecticut. He apparently purchased the car in 1953 from a dealer who, in turn, bought it from Elizabeth B. Ganung of Millerton, New York, who was the last registered owner. John Cowan proceeded to disassemble the Cord from the firewall forward, which is the way it was found in 1976. Every nut and bolt was removed from the engine with parts strewn all over the barn floor mixed in with a lot of Corvair parts thrown in for good measure. Restoration started in December 1976 but came to a grinding halt a few years later with three boys in college and a business. It was pulled out of the garage in 2002 (some 22 years later), and the restoration was completed in 2012.

Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.
Chassis number: 4117
Engine number: FDA 4201

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 Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.
Chassis number: 3916
Engine number: FD 4023

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 Dan Vaughan

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.
Chassis number: 2231
Engine number: FD 3638

The Cord L-29 was the first major American production car to employ front-wheel drive. The configuration meant there was not a driveshaft tunnel which allowed the bodies to be mounted low on the frame. The interiors had flat floors which presented more spacious seating and a comfortable environment. Unfortunately, the Cord L-29 had been introduced just as the Great Depression was wreaking havoc, and production of the car faded away in late 1931.

This particular Cabriolet was built in January 1931. It was given a concours-quality restoration that was completed in 1970, including the installation of frame unit number 2231. It was one of the first examples exhibited in the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana, where it was on loan for several years in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In 1985, it was in the care of Gordon R. Klodt of New Jersey. It was later purchased by Louis Wright who retained ownership until 2004 when the Cord was refreshed in its present striking color scheme and joined a Southwestern collection. The current owners acquired the car in 2010.

It has been Certified by the Club as a Category One Original Car, number CL-019.

by Dan Vaughan

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.

The Cord L-29 was considered the most technically advanced and beautiful car of its day. The L-29 Cord was the first U.S. commercial vehicle to have front-wheel drive. The Cord was designed around the famous Harry Miller front-wheel-drive race car patents. Harry A. Miller was synonymous in the public's mind with front-wheel-drive cars. Cornelius W. Van Raust and Herbert Snow also played key engineering roles and held patents on certain designs. Alan Leamy was credited with the body design and held certain patents. Cord was the 1931 Indianapolis pace car. Cord was produced in the Auburn factory in Auburn, Indiana. Production began in June 1929 and ended on December 31, 1931. This car was the 4724th built.

ACD certified as authentic. It is the 8th of 49 L-29s built in July of 1931 and one of 20 Cabriolets. The late series FFA Lycoming straight-eight L-head engine in this car has 322.1 cubic inches with 132 h.p. The L29 Cord has a 137.5-inch wheelbase, 18-inch wheels, and weighs 4,320 lbs. The Cord L29 Cord became a celebrity vehicle owned by John Barrymore, Tom Mix, Delores Del Rio, Paul Whiteman, Edgar Rice Burroughs, the Max Brothers and Jean Harlow, among others. Kansas City's Coon Sanders 'nighthawks' Orchestra traveled throughout the country in a fleet of cream-colored L29 Cords.

Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.
Chassis number: 4117
Engine number: FDA 4201

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.

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.

When introduced in 1929, Cord did something few cars before or since had ever done. Offering something entirely new and different, it was the first American production car to feature front-wheel-drive. Truly among the most innovative automobiles ever produced, it created an incredible amount of interest and attention.

With the long wheelbase and exceptionally low bodylines, it is a true visual masterpiece. To achieve the front-wheel-drive layout, the huge Auburn engine was turned 180 degrees and extended several inches into the firewall, allowing room for the transmission and differential up front.

This Cord L-29 has been driven over 55,000 miles by the current owners. This includes two coast-to-coast trips of 8,600 miles over a six-week period.

Rumble Seat Cabriolet by Limousine Body Mfg. Co.
Chassis number: 2927175
Engine number: FDA 1980

This 1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet is powered by an L-head, 298.6 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine produced by Lycoming. It produced an advertised 125 horsepower and was paired with a three-speed transmission. It is well-equipped with full instrumentation that includes a temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, speedometer, fuel gauge, oil-level gauge, an ammeter, and a center-mounted Waltham clock. It has a Gainsborough Blue exterior with gleaming brightwork and contrasting Blue Boy Blue details throughout.

Assembled in January of 1930, this L-29 Cabriolet was owned in the late 1990s by Mr. Blair Hilborn of Bishop, California, who is believed to have performed the complete ground-up restoration (more correctly, his restoration shop - Hilborn Restorations). This Cord was displayed at several West Coast Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club meets before it was eventually sold to the McMullen collection in Texas. It remained in the collection for nearly a decade before it was acquired by the Academy of Art University Collection around 2008.

This Cord is a former CCCA National First Prize winner and has been certified Category 1 by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 2929758
Engine number: FF 4653

The front-wheel drive Cord L-29 was motivated by a conventional 298-cubic-inch Lycoming L-head inline-eight engine and wore low, rakish coachwork styled by Alan Leamy. This particular example is a Cabriolet with a history that included long-term California ownership by Ernie Mendicki, Bob Morehouse, and William 'Chip' Connor. Mr. Connor acquired the car in 1983, and after receiving a restoration, it was an award-winner in the special L-29 class at Pebble Beach in 1987. Jim Fasnacht acquired it in 2002 and soon gave it a fresh restoration. Ken Clark performed chassis, engine, and preliminary bodywork, with paint, top, interior, and finishes performed by LaVine Restorations of Nappanee, Indiana. Upon completion, it wore a Limousine Maroon exterior with accents of Dark Gray. Among its many chrome accessories were Woodlite headlamps and cowl lights, chrome wire wheels, and dual side mirrors. There is a light gray interior and tan canvas top.

In 2006, the Cord returned to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elgance where it was a class award-winner. A few weeks later, it was in Indiana for the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club National Reunion, where it was awarded the E.L. Cord Award for Best L-29.

In 2013, this Cord joined the Adderley Collection and, since that time, has been carefully maintained.

by Dan Vaughan

Brougham

The Cord L-29 was the first American production car with front-wheel drive. A total of 617 of the 5,010 L-29s received Brougham body styles. The 299 cubic-inch straight 8-cylinder engine produces 125 horsepower. This example was given a restoration in 2020.

As new in 1931, it cost $3,095.

The Cord L-29 was revolutionary, using a front-wheel drive system rather than the popular rear-wheel drive configuration. Many believed that having the front wheels be responsible for turning, carrying the bulk of the weight, providing stopping power, and driving was too much. With the rear-wheel drive systems, the weight could be dispersed throughout the body to take advantage of weight distribution. Cord wanted to be different and explore the possibilities of a front-wheel configuration.

Errett Lobban Cord was a visionary, promoter, young and intelligent individual when in 1924, he joined the Auburn Automobile Company, which was underperforming in respect to sales. Cord was able to revitalize sales, and by 1926 he was in control of the company. He then bought up companies such as Duesenberg Motor Company and Lycoming and brought them under the Cord Corporation.

With control of Duesenberg and Auburn automobiles, the Cord Corporation was positioned for success. What the company lacked was an automobile that could fill the price gap that existed between these two nameplates. The result was a luxury car named after himself, the Cord L-29. The Cord L-29 used a front-wheel drive system. Many people believe Cord used the front-wheel drive configuration because he wanted to exploit the advantages of a low-profile design. Rear-wheel-drive cars sat higher above their driveshafts because the engineers had not figured out how to let the shaft run through the passenger compartment.

Cornelius Van Ranst was tasked as the chief engineer for this unique automobile. John Oswald, a man responsible for many of the Auburn designs, contributed to the L-29. The result was dramatic styling that was attractive and elegant.

Under the hood lurked a 299 cubic-inch eight-cylinder Lycoming engine. The 125-horsepower engine could carry the 4600-pound vehicle to a top speed of just 77 mph, a respectable speed but not the fastest vehicle available.

Since it was a front-wheel drive system, the normal mechanical configuration needed rearrangement. The transmission and differential were in the front, ahead of the engine. The hood was very long, a result of having so many mechanical components in the front. The rear suspension used leaf springs and a beam axle, and the front used a de Dion-type solid axle with quarter-elliptic leaf springs.

As was the case in the early years of automotive construction, custom coachbuilders were often tasked with providing the bodywork and designs. In 1930 an L-29 with styling courtesy of Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky was bestowed with prestigious awards at the Monaco Concours d'Elegance.

Two months after the introduction of the Cord L-29, the stock market crashed, and the Great Depression began. Like many other manufacturers during this time, sales plummeted, and production was low. To compete, Cord dropped prices in 1930 in an attempt to stimulate sales. In 1931 a large engine producing just over 130 horsepower was installed under the hood. Unfortunately, this was not enough and production ceased at the close of 1931.

During its production run lasting from 1929 through 1931, fewer than 5,000 examples were created. In 1930 only 1,873 united were produced. Although production was halted in 1931, there were 157 L-29's dubbed as 1932 models.

by Dan Vaughan