The Cord L-29 was introduced in 1929 and was the first American front-wheel-drive car to be offered to the public. Powered by a 115-horsepower 299-cubic-inch Lycoming L-head inline 8-cylinder engine with a 3-speed manual transmission, the Cord L-29 could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 24 seconds and reach a top speed of 78 miles per hour. Front-wheel drive gave the Cord L-29 a number of advantages. The lack of a central driveshaft or a live rear axle allowed it to have a lower ride height than any comparable luxury car, and mounting the transmission and front differential ahead of the engine resulted in nearly perfect weight distribution. Other unique features of the Cord L-29 included a dashboard-mounted shifter, inboard front brakes, and a Bijur chassis lubrication system that feeds oil to the water pump, fan, brake pedal linkage, clutch release bearing and rear springs from a central reservoir at the press of a pedal. Unfortunately, the L-29 was released shortly before the stock market crash of 1929, which would have a dramatic effect on luxury car sales. This 1931 Cabriolet represents the final year of production for the Cord L-29 and was displayed at the 2001 Chicago Auto Show by the Volo Auto Museum.
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