Vehicle Description
Shortly after Errett Lobban Cord rescued the ailing Auburn
Automobile Company, he wrested control of the firm and set to work
shaping his luxury car empire. Cord wasted little time transforming
Auburn into a style and value leader in the luxury car market. With
Auburn on stable footing, Cord set his sights on creating an
automobile capable of competing with the likes of Packard and
Cadillac. He saw a perfect opportunity to build a car that would
fit neatly between the value-oriented Auburn and the spectacularly
exotic and expensive Duesenberg. In typical E.L. Cord fashion, he
eschewed tradition in favor of a car that was as innovative as it
was beautiful. The sleek and low slung L-29 debuted in 1929,
featuring a revolutionary front-wheel drive system with a De Dion
front axle, designed with input from the engineers responsible for
the Miller front-drive Indy Car. The front-drive layout meant the
body could mount over the chassis rather than on top, which in turn
allowed the L-29 to be one of the lowest production cars of the
day. Cord charged Alan Leamy to create a body, and the results were
stunning; distinguished by its flowing front fenders, split
bumpers, and a narrow, body-color radiator shell. The L-29 shared
the 301 cubic-inch Lycoming straight eight with Auburn, albeit
turned 180-degrees in the chassis, driving through a three-speed
transmission at the front. Thanks to the low center of gravity,
handling was very impressive. The factory offered the L-29 in four
styles: Convertible Sedan, 5-Passenger Brougham, Sedan, and
2/4-Passenger Coupe/Roadster. Only 5,014 L-29s were built between
1929 and 1932, as the Great Depression took hold and effectively
killed the replacement L-30 before it even left the drawing board.
Despite its brief existence, the Cord L-29 stands as one of the
most beautiful American automobile designs of all time.
Exceptionally presented in brilliant colors, this Cord L-29
Cabriolet is a stunning example of America's front-wheel-drive
pioneer. Beautifully turned-out with a world-class restoration by a
noted marque expert, this desirable later production example
featured original chassis, body, and original FD-series engine. In
the mid-1980s, a lifelong Cord enthusiast discovered this car
hidden away in a Key West, Florida garage. Said to be a remarkably
complete, sound and rust free example when found, the owner
purchased it with the intention of restoring it to concours
standards. Sadly, he did not see his plan come to fruition;
however, his brother (also a dedicated Cord aficionado) later
acquired the car and eventually commissioned the kind of
restoration it so deserved. The owner entrusted the Cord to Ken
Clark of Ken's Classics in Pittsfield, Maine to perform a highly
detailed restoration to exacting standards. Mr. Clark is a foremost
expert on Cord automobiles, and his painstakingly researched
projects have won countless awards and accolades through the years.
For this car, Clark and his team meticulously researched and
restored every component down to the smallest detail, noting along
the way that this car retained much of its original wooden body
frame as well as the original serial number tag. They capped off
the project by finishing it in a visually striking two-tone blue
livery with chrome wheels, black wall tires and gray upholstery.
Fresh from restoration, it earned its ACD Club certification as a
Category 1 Original Car. Shown extensively within the ACD Club,
honors include the Alan Leamy Award for Best L-29 at the 2014
National Reunion. It is also a Senior Award winner in both the AACA
and CCCA, and a Lion Award recipient at the Concours d'Elegance of
America at St. Johns. Importantly, the driving experience was not
overlooked, and Clark ensured this L-29 was dialed-in and properly
sorted for touring and rallies. In addition to racking up concours
trophies, it has been a regular participant on events like the ACD
Festival Hoosier Tour, and ACD Club Spring Meet tour. The current
owner takes pride in this being one of the best-performing L-29s
and has not been shy about enjoying it to the fullest on the road.
The presentation remains outstanding, with excellent quality paint,
brightwork, and detailing. It is a stunningly beautiful car, with
the vivid two-tone blue paintwork playing beautifully with the
sporting Cabriolet coachwork. Minimal accessories give the car a
lean and purposeful appearance; accentuating the low, long profile.
With the world-class restoration now taking on a lightly mellowed
character, this remains one of the most arresting and exquisitely
detailed L-29s in existence. Gray leather upholstery complements
the paint beautifully, and it remains in lovely condition, with
some light signs of use on the driver's seat that reveals this car
has been enjoyed on the road as much as it has on the show field.
Correct gauges and switches grace the dash, which is restored to
the same high standard. Carpets, door panels, and rumble seat
upholstery all remain in excellent order. The cabriolet top is
trimmed in taupe Canvas with a just a hint of blue to tie in with
the paintwork. Under the long hood rests Cord's version of the
proven Lycoming inline eight-cylinder engine, which it shared with
Auburn. Making 125 horsepower from 298 cubic inches, the L-head
eight has the typical refinement and character of the era, and it
returns respectable performance. Remarkably, this car retains its
original engine as researched by Ken Clark. It presents in
beautiful condition, in its signature bold green with chrome
hardware. Detailing is excellent, belying its participation in
several tours and road events, it remains in superb cosmetic
condition. Few examples of the Cord L-29 have achieved such a
record on the show field while also being proven on the road.
Furthermore, this car not only offers concours quality detailing
but it also retains its original body, chassis, and engine as
verified by its ACD Club Certification documents. Exceedingly rare
and marvelously presented, this Cord L-29 is an icon of the Classic
Era that is sure to satisfy discriminating collectors.