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.