The Cord L-29 was the first successful mass-produced front-wheel-drive American automobile. But it was much more than that. Look at the styling of this automotive masterpiece. It was styled by Alan Leamy and was conceived as a single unit with the symmetry of the interior reflecting the external lines. Automotive styling had come into its own with this design. No longer was it an afterthought. Leamy incorporated the mechanical features of the front drive unit into the subtle style of the Cord. Cloaking the most technologically advanced automobile of its day in beauty, Leamy ensured the L-29 was superior both mechanically and aesthetically.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Cabriolet
Wheelbase: 137.5 inches
Engine: Lycoming in-line eight-cylinder
Transmission: Three speed manual
Displacement: 299 cubic inches
Horsepower: 125 at 3,400 rpm
Weight: 4,500 lbs.
Price When New: $3,195
Tags: 1930 Cord L-29 ACD Museum Auburn Indiana
© All Rights Reserved
Taken at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum - August 2023
A group of investors wanted to build a suitable American sports car for a European type racing event to be held at Watkins Glen, New York. Gordon Buehrig was part of the group of investors, and he also performed the design work. He oversaw the production of this single prototype vehicle.
The aluminum body was built by the Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania. It was the first car in the world with a T-top roof, an idea that Gordon Buehrig patented. He later sued General Motors for infringement when the 1968 Corvette came out with a T-top roof.
The front fenders of the Tasco are made of fiberglass and the roof panels are Plexiglas. The name Tasco stands for “The American Sports Car Company”.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Prototype
Wheelbase: 110 inches
Engine: Mercury V-8
Transmission: Three speed manual
Displacement: 239 cubic inches
Horsepower: 150
Tags: 1948 Tasco ACD Museum Auburn Indiana
© All Rights Reserved
The Cord L-29 was the first successful mass-produced front-wheel-drive American automobile. But it was much more than that. Look at the styling of this automotive masterpiece. It was styled by Alan Leamy and was conceived as a single unit with the symmetry of the interior reflecting the external lines. Automotive styling had come into its own with this design. No longer was it an afterthought. Leamy incorporated the mechanical features of the front drive unit into the subtle style of the Cord. Cloaking the most technologically advanced automobile of its day in beauty, Leamy ensured the L-29 was superior both mechanically and aesthetically.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Cabriolet
Wheelbase: 137.5 inches
Engine: Lycoming in-line eight-cylinder
Transmission: Three speed manual
Displacement: 299 cubic inches
Horsepower: 125 at 3,400 rpm
Weight: 4,500 lbs.
Price When New: $3,195
Tags: 1930 Cord L-29 ACD Museum Auburn Indiana
© All Rights Reserved
The Cord L-29 was the first successful mass-produced front-wheel-drive American automobile. But it was much more than that. Look at the styling of this automotive masterpiece. It was styled by Alan Leamy and was conceived as a single unit with the symmetry of the interior reflecting the external lines. Automotive styling had come into its own with this design. No longer was it an afterthought. Leamy incorporated the mechanical features of the front drive unit into the subtle style of the Cord. Cloaking the most technologically advanced automobile of its day in beauty, Leamy ensured the L-29 was superior both mechanically and aesthetically.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Cabriolet
Wheelbase: 137.5 inches
Engine: Lycoming in-line eight-cylinder
Transmission: Three speed manual
Displacement: 299 cubic inches
Horsepower: 125 at 3,400 rpm
Weight: 4,500 lbs.
Price When New: $3,195
Tags: 1930 Cord L-29 ACD Museum Auburn Indiana
© All Rights Reserved
Josh Malks was an ambassador of the Cord automobile and shared its virtue with the rest of the world. Malks, an avid world traveler along with his wife Betty, drove this Cord to the coast of California and to the shores of the Dead Sea. Its mileage currently stands at 115,000. This Cord has roamed the lands of North America, Europe and the Middle East. From the front seat of his Cord, Malks was able to view the world unlike many others.
The given name of this Cord 810 Westchester Sedan is “Moonshadow,” due to its distinguished silvery-blue finish and the original blue English Broadcloth interior. It has been highly praised and recognized in several car shows. In its November 2002 issue, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the American automobile, Forbes’ American Heritage magazine chose the Cord 810 as “The Single Most Beautiful American Car.”
RESTORING MEMORIES
Josh Malks was a well-known historian and Cord automobile ambassador who drove this Cord, named Moonshadow, worldwide. Unfortunately, after his donation of the car to the ACD Museum, the engine block side plates were discovered to be cracked and the engine was un-drivable, a fate not uncommon for Cord engines and old metallurgy. In conjunction with several benefactors, the museum underwent a complete engine rebuild and returned the storied Cord back to running order.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: 810 Westchester Sedan
Wheelbase: 125 inches
Engine: Lycoming V-8, L-head, cast iron block, aluminum cylinder heads
Transmission: Pre-select four-Speed
Displacement: 289 cubic inches
Horsepower: 125 at 3,600 rpm
Weight: 4,000 lbs.
Price When New: $1,995
Tags: 1936 Cord Westchester ACD Museum Auburn Indiana
© All Rights Reserved