![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() In short order, however, the Duesenberg idea was out and Buehrig’s futuristic model became the Cord 810 of 1936, one of the truly outstanding classics of the era. Soon after that, Duesenberg president Harold Ames lured Buehrig back to the company to have him develop a lower-priced companion to the Duesenberg J. Powered by a supercharged Lycoming V-8, contemporary advertising boasted that "a Cord is passed only with the Cord owner’s permission." This gorgeous custom-bodied Cord features a longer "coffin nose" with seven louvers to distinguish it from "lesser" Cords that get by with four vents. The numbers weren’t disastrous-especially for a pricey car launched on the eve of the Great Depression-but ultimately, sales volume was insufficient to justify keeping the L-29 in production. Initial sales were brisk as the summer of 1929 turned to fall, but in the end, timing played a cruel hand: The stock-market crash in late October poured cold water on sales of the sporty L-29 in all, Cord sold roughly 5000 examples before production ended on December 31, 1931. In addition, it wasn’t all that fast: The Lycoming straight-eight produced 125 horsepower, but the top speed was in the vicinity of just 80 mph. The L-29 was available in four body styles: sedan, brougham (a formal sedan with a padded top, often driven by a chauffeur), convertible sedan, and convertible coupe.Īlthough praised for its handling qualities, the L-29’s engine was located so far behind the driven front wheels that it suffered from poor traction. The price for the L-29 was $3000 (about $42,000 in today’s dollars)-more expensive than pricing for the Auburn lineup but far less than the lofty Duesenberg J the running chassis of the J alone (bodywork was sold separately) retailed for $8500 (about $118,250 today). Malks, Gary Goldsmith, Dan Pitchford, George Palmer Putnam Collection Of America, John Streeter, Douglas Johnson, Don Wolhwend, John Kernan, Lee Muzzillo, and Tom Georgeson Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, Michael Furman, Josh B. ![]()
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