Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 2927175
Engine No. FDA 1980
Taking complete control of the Auburn Automobile Company in 1928
following his successful efforts to save the company from
bankruptcy, E.L. Cord announced he would build a mid-range luxury
car to compete with the likes of Packard and Lincoln, a car that
was worthy of his own name. Described best by Cord himself, "The
Cord is a specialty car, different from others", which was
perfectly exhibited when the new L-29 would enter production in
1929 with a specially adapted front-wheel drivetrain developed from
Harry Miller's hugely successful racing cars. Eliminating the need
for a driveshaft tunnel, the bodies were mounted lower on the frame
which gave the L-29 a low-slung profile and flat interior floors
allowed for spacious interior comfort. The new model was initially
well-received but the Great Depression would soon reduce demand for
medium and high-end automobiles, leaving only 5,010 Cord L-29
models to be produced between 1929 and 1932.
Powered by an L-head, 298.6 cu-in eight-cylinder engine produced by
Lycoming, the L-29 was advertised with 125 horsepower and a
three-speed transmission. Also equipped with full instrumentation,
the L-29 included a temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge,
speedometer, fuel gauge, oil-level gauge, an ammeter, and in the
case of this car, even a center-mounted Waltham clock.
Assembled in January of 1930, this L-29 Cabriolet is finished in a
stunning Gainsborough Blue exterior with gleaming brightwork and
contrasting Blue Boy Blue details throughout, making for a truly
elegant specification. Prior records indicate that this Cord was
owned in the late 1990s by Mr. Blair Hilborn, the late owner of
Hilborn Restorations of Bishop, California, who it is believed
performed the complete ground-up restoration. Displayed at a number
of West Coast Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club meets, it was eventually
sold to the McMullen collection in Texas. After remaining in Texas
for nearly a decade, it was acquired by the Academy of Art
University Collection around 2008. A former CCCA National First
Prize winner, this L-29 is offered with previous documentation from
the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club confirming this to be a certified
Category 1 example along with an owner's manual and a parts list
brochure.
