The National Motor Museum Trust

In nine years, Errett Lobban Cord had risen from unemployment to heading an organisation with assets running to millions of dollars. The empire he built included Auburn, Duesenberg and Lycoming, as well as the Cord Corporation. In 1929, Cord produced the L-29, America's first front wheel drive car to win popular approval. Overly priced at the height of the Great Depression, production ended in 1932.

The Cord name re-emerged in 1935 with the strikingly modernistic Model 810/812. Designed by Gordon Buehrig, the body design was very advanced, and featured retractable headlamps – albeit operated by turning a handle inside the car. Its bonnet shape and wrap around grille gave forth its nickname Coffin-nose.