Cord Automobile

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A 1929 Cord L-29 Phaeton on display at the 2005 United States Grand Prix

Cord was the brand name of a United States automobile, manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company from 1929 through 1932 and again from 1936 to 1937.

The Cord Corporation was founded and run by Errett Lobban Cord as a holding company for his many transportation interests, including the Auburn Automobile Company. Cord was noted for its innovative technology and streamlined designs. It is said that Mr. Cord had a philosophy to build truly different, innovative cars; however, it wasn't necessarily a good philosophy for building cars that would sell well and turn a profit.

1 Innovations
2 "Coffin-Nosed Cord" model 810
3 Demise of the Cord
4 Revival
5 External links
6 See also
7 References

[edit] Innovations

1930 Cord L-29.

L29

L 29 interior

Cord innovations include front wheel drive on the L-29 and retractable headlights on the 810.

Front wheel drive became common only in the 1980s, though General Motors introduced front wheel drive in the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado in 1966 (Buick Riviera remained rear-wheel-drive until 1979). As personal luxury cars, these three GM models were undoubtedly influenced by Cord.

Retractable headlamps did not become common as a standard feature until the 1960s (though DeSoto used them in 1942), although retractable headlights were seen mainly on sportier models. In another coincidence, this then-unusual feature was also shared on early Toronados.

The Cord also featured a detached radio - the controls for the radio were conventionally mounted on the dashboard, but the bulky (by modern standards) electronics were mounted in a nearly cube-shaped box in the trunk. This saved space inside the passenger compartment and reduced the noise of the vibrator power supply required to provide high voltage supplies for the vacuum tubes. The controls were connected to the radio chassis by mechanical cables similar to speedometer or bicycle brake cables.

[edit] "Coffin-Nosed Cord" model 810

The body design of the Cord 810 was the work of designer Gordon M. Buehrig and his team of stylists that included young Vince Gardner. The new car caused a sensation at the 1936 New York Auto Show in November. The crowd around the 810 were so dense, attendees stood on the bumpers of nearby cars to get a look. Many orders were taken at the show, but the cars were not ready to deliver until February. The engine featured a transmission which came out of the front of the engine (rather than sideways or out the back and front again as in modern cars), like a Citroën Traction Avant . As a result, the front wheels were well forward of the engine. This also enabled the floor of the car to be much lower than the typical automobile.

[edit] Demise of the Cord

Early reliability problems, including slipping out of gear and vapor lock, cooled initial enthusiasm. Although most new owners loved their sleek fast cars, the dealer base shrank rapidly. In 1937, after producing about 3000 of these cars, Auburn ceased production of the Cord. The Cord empire was sold to the Aviation Corporation, and E.L. Cord moved to Nevada where he earned millions in real estate and other enterprises.

The design of the Cord 810/812 remains the most distinctive of the entire 20th century. In 1996, American Heritage magazine proclaimed the Cord 810 sedan, "The Single Most Beautiful American Car." The "Classic Cord" Hot Wheels toy car of the 1960s, a convertible coupe, is one of the most valuable, and commands up to $800 (2006) if still in an unopened package.

[edit] Revival

The sensational Cord 812 design was re-marketed almost immediately in 1940, but as a weakly-funded effort by ailing automakers Hupmobile and Graham-Paige. Their 4-door sedans, the Hupp Skylark and the Graham Hollywood, were unremarkable beneath the body dies. Retractable headlights gave way to plain headlight pods, and power came from a standard front-engine/rear-wheel drive design. Only about 1900 were built before production ceased in the fall of 1940. From 1964 to 1970, two attempts were made to replicate the original Buehrig design for limited production. Both Oklahoma-based companies soon halted production amid financial difficulties. The replica Cord 812 was powered by a Corvair drivetrain.