Cord Automobile

Cord Automobile
Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Cord Automobile
Manufacturer	Auburn Automobile Company
Production	1929–1932, 1936–1937
Class	Luxury car
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive; later front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Designer	Errett Lobban Cord; Gordon M. Buehrig

Cord Automobile Cord Automobile was an American luxury marque known for pioneering front-wheel drive, concealed headlights, and advanced engineering during the late 1920s and 1930s. Associated with entrepreneur Errett Lobban Cord and the Auburn Automobile Company, the marque produced iconic models that influenced Packard (automobile), Cadillac, Duesenberg, Lincoln (automobile), and Hudson (automobile). Cord cars appeared in periodicals such as Time (magazine), Life (magazine), and Scientific American, and remain subjects in collections at the Guggenheim Museum, Henry Ford Museum, and The Petersen Automotive Museum.

History

The marque was created by businessman Errett Lobban Cord during his consolidation of the Auburn Automobile Company, Duesenberg, and related assets into the Cord Corporation holding empire in the 1920s and 1930s. Launching the L-29 in 1929, Cord sought to compete with contemporaries like Packard Motor Car Company, Pierce-Arrow, and Lincoln Motor Company. Economic pressures from the Great Depression and the collapse of Cord's financial backers, including ties to Berman Oil ventures and investments linked to the Banking crisis of 1931, forced production suspensions and reorganizations. Attempts to revive the marque in 1936–1937 under new management paralleled efforts by Studebaker and Chrysler to consolidate the industry. Legal disputes involving United States Securities and Exchange Commission investigations and receivership proceedings culminated in Errett Cord selling assets to firms like Auburn Rubber Company and interests tied to Crossley Motors.

Models and Design

Cord models included the L-29, L-29 Victoria, and the later 810/812 series, which were styled by designer Gordon M. Buehrig and engineered by teams from Lycoming Engines and Auburn Machine Works. The 810 debuted with features like hidden headlights, a fringed grille, and a low-slung body reminiscent of coachwork by Fisher Body, LeBaron, and Brunn. Interiors often used materials sourced from Woolrich, upholstery by Moore & Co., and instruments from Stewart-Warner. Limited-production variants and coachbuilt examples were delivered by bespoke firms including LeBaron, Weymann, Holbrook, and Dietrich for clients who also purchased vehicles from Isotta Fraschini and Rolls-Royce. The 812 Supercharged models shared market space with high-performance contemporaries like Duesenberg Model J, Marmon Sixteen, and Bugatti Type 41 Royale.

Engineering and Innovations

Cord pioneered front-wheel drive in American production cars with the L-29, employing transaxle arrangements developed from research at Eaton Corporation and with drivetrain components similar in concept to systems used later by Citroën Traction Avant and Alfa Romeo engineerings. The 810/812 featured a Lycoming V8, independent front suspension, and a pre-selector gearbox influenced by designs from Wilson (gearbox) and engineers who had worked on Bristol Aeroplane Company projects. Innovations included hydraulically actuated concealed headlights (a precursor to systems later used by Jaguar and Porsche), unit-body styling influences that echoed concepts from Stout Metal Airplane Company research, and the use of an Aluminum manifold inspired by practices at Alcoa. Cord engineering intersected with suppliers such as Delco for ignition systems, Bendix for braking components, and Dana Incorporated for shafts, positioning the marque alongside technical leaders like Mercedes-Benz and BMW in integration of lightweight materials and packaging.

Motorsports and Performance

Although not primarily a racing marque, Cord chassis and powerplants were campaigned or tested in venues and events tied to Indianapolis 500, Bonneville Salt Flats speed trials, and hillclimb events promoted by Pikes Peak International Hill Climb organizers. Tuners and privateers from outfits like Earl “Madman” Muntz and workshops influenced by Carroll Shelby era methods experimented with supercharging and aerodynamic modifications. Performance testing and publicity runs were covered by Motor Trend, Road & Track, and reporters from The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times, helping to cement Cord’s reputation among enthusiasts of Duesenberg and Auburn performance vehicles.

Corporate and Financial History

Cord’s corporate structure was complex, involving the Cord Corporation holding company, subsidiaries like Auburn Automobile Company and Duesenberg Inc., and finance arrangements with banks such as Guaranty Trust Company and National City Bank. The Great Depression strained cash flow, leading to receivership, asset sales, and litigation involving creditors including General Motors suppliers and independent finance houses. Attempts at reorganization brought in executives from Studebaker-Packard Corporation and advisors who had served at Chrysler Corporation and General Motors. Bankruptcy filings and the liquidation of tangible assets transferred tooling and intellectual property to purchasers associated with Julian B. Halvorson and other industrialists active in the Midwest manufacturing sector.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Cord’s influence extends into design history, with the marque cited in exhibitions at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Smithsonian Institution, and design retrospectives curated by Harvard Graduate School of Design affiliates. The cars appear in films and literature alongside props from Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., and collectors and clubs like the Classic Car Club of America, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club, and restoration shops associated with RM Sotheby's auctions preserve examples. Cord styling influenced postwar designers at Ghia, Pininfarina, and domestic studios including General Motors Styling Studio under Harley Earl. Surviving models are held in collections at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, Blackhawk Museum, and private holdings of collectors who also own Duesenberg, Packard, and Bentley automobiles. The marque remains a subject of scholarship by historians affiliated with Society of Automotive Historians and authors published by Haynes Publishing and Motorbooks.

Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States