1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
The 1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet holds the distinction of being among the earliest examples of a major American production car with front-wheel drive, a landmark design that enabled an exceptionally low roofline and a flat, spacious interior floor. Built in January 1931, this particular example received one of the first concours-quality restorations performed on an L-29, completed in 1970. It later appeared in a prominent automotive magazine and a Detroit Institute of Arts exhibition, and has been certified by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club as a Category One Original Car.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$224,000
- 1984 → 2004Private saleLouis Wrightpartial documentation
Held the car for two decades; by 2004 the car was repainted in its current color scheme before moving to a new collection.
- 1985 →Acquisition unknownGordon R. Klodtpartial documentation
New Jersey-based owner during whose tenure the car was featured in a July 1985 magazine article and shown at a special Detroit Institute of Arts exhibit.
- 2004 → 2010Private saleProminent Southwestern collectionpartial documentation
The car joined this collection after its color scheme refresh in 2004.
- 2010 →Private saleCurrent ownerspartial documentation
Have maintained the car in their collection for approximately nine years; it holds ACD Club Category One Original Car certification, number CL-019.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJerry Coburnpartial documentation
Coburn undertook a concours-level restoration completed in 1970, which included fitting a replacement frame unit. The car was among the earliest L-29s to receive such treatment.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAuburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museumpartial documentation
The car was on loan to the museum in Auburn, Indiana, during a period spanning the late 1970s into the early 1980s; it was among the first L-29s displayed there.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1970Restoration
A full concours-quality restoration was carried out, considered among the earliest of its kind for the L-29 model, and included the fitting of frame unit number 2231.
Work was performed by or under the direction of owner Jerry Coburn.
- 2004Bodywork
The car was refinished in its current visually striking colour scheme as part of a cosmetic refresh at the time of joining a new collection.
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