{"id":18516,"date":"2016-10-12T10:54:51","date_gmt":"2016-10-12T08:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.museonicolis.com\/en\/cord-1930-l29\/"},"modified":"2025-06-28T14:28:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T12:28:00","slug":"cord-1930-l29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.museonicolis.com\/en\/cord-1930-l29\/","title":{"rendered":"Cord, 1930, L29"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cord L29, 1930, USA<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Errett L. Cord<\/strong> was one of the most innovative characters in the American automotive\u00a0world of 1920s and 30s. Already\u00a0owner of Auburn and Duesenberg, he decided to create a new brand<\/strong> with his name to launch a car for a higher market than the Auburn (US$ 1,000\/1,500) but far from the astronomical prices of the Duesenberg (US$ 10\/13,000).
\nSurprisingly, he chose to build the new car with front-wheel drive<\/strong>, an innovative solution for 1929,<\/strong> which\u00a0gave the vehicle an exceptional handling.
\nThe long Lycoming 8-cylinder engine was turned around, with the\u00a0transmission\u00a0placed in front<\/strong> of it.
\nThe elegant bodywork featured a narrow, pointed radiator grille, a long front bonnet and, due to the low, straight chassis, the interior space inside was considerable since there was no driveshaft running underneath the car.
\nWith a price of 3,095 US dollars, only 5,300<\/strong> examples were sold: a lot of money for a revolutionary vehicle, but not much for an American automobile in that price range.
\nMarketing<\/strong> \u2013 Advertisers of the time described the Cord\u2019s chassis as \u201cflat as a carpet\u201d because, lacking a driveshaft running beneath the cabin, the interior floor was incredibly low and level. This feature was considered a major selling point: ladies of high society could \u201center and exit gracefully, without lifting their skirts.\u201d
\nEuropean Style<\/strong> \u2013 Many European coachbuilders were fascinated by the Cord L29, and some models were transformed into special editions. At Concours d\u2019Elegance events, it competed directly with Hispano-Suiza and Isotta Fraschini.
\nThe Wall Street Challenge<\/strong> \u2013 Errett Cord, a young entrepreneur (he was under 35), came to control a car manufacturing empire that included Auburn, Duesenberg, and Cord. By 1929, he was considered one of America\u2019s most promising businessmen. The launch of the Cord L29 coincided with the onset of the Great Depression, just as the stock market crash loomed on Wall Street\u2014a timing many considered a true commercial misfortune.<\/p>\n

2016 Fair Auto e Moto d\u2019Epoca<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>stand\u00a0A.A.V.S. Associazione Amatori Veicoli Storici
\n<\/strong><\/em>2019 Exhibition 100 MITI<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\r\n\r\n \r\n