Cord The Legendary American Car Company Brand Is For Sale

Flying ace Amelia Earhart with her 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton

Fancy being the owner of Cord, the legendary 1920s – 1930s and one of the most prestigious brands that has ever come from the USA? Well at the upcoming Kruse Auction on the 17 June 2023, you have the chance.

Cord is one of those iconic companies that really pushed the boundaries of automotive development and produced some of the most striking looking cars, not just of the period, but of all time. The Cord was the choice of the rich and famous during the Golden Age of Hollywood. The chance to obtain such a marque is rare, but Cord & Kruse are offering the trademark for sale at the auction in Midland, Texas.

The car company has been immortalised in many films, even the great Cary Grant could be seen at the wheel of a cord Speical in the 1937 film Topper.

Film legend Cary Grant at the wheel of a Cord Special with Constance Bennett in the 1937 movie ‘Topper’

Is Cord about to make a comeback? With the right buyer it certainly could. It’s one brand that has been overlooked while others have been reborn.

What do you get as part of the package? The trademark itself, the licensing and the manufacturing rights to build new Cord automobiles.

Cowboy film star Tom Mix with a 1937 Cord Supercharged 812 Phaeton

Back in the 1920s and 1930s, Cord was the popular marque to be seen in and the company made their mark in 1929 with the L29 and the 810 and 812 models including the 1937 Supercharges Sportsman. Sadly, Chord did not survive the great depression and it was sold to the Aviation Corporation, who attempted a revival in the 1940s, while another smaller scale effort was attempted in the 1960s.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Cord L29 Cabriolet

The ability to produce genuine Cord parts will be tempting to many, but there is the chance that there will be a whole car, it would depend on where it goes. Imagine if the Chinese bought it, threw money at it and produced a retro style luxury car. That might actually be a good thing. But I think the Cord brand could make its way to many more things, clothing, toys, whatever you could come up with really.

Cord Player's Cigarettes

The 1930s saw other stars of film become owners such as Johnny Weissmuller, Al Jolson and Clark Gable who bought the Coffin-nosed Cords. Even the tycoon Howard Hughes became fascinated with the new technology that was used in the front wheel drive cars. The gearing and suspension, concealed headlamps and door handles, with a beautiful streamlined shape

Cord L 29 - 30 Stamp

New York’s Museum of Modern Art credited the 810 as an outstanding American contribution to automobile design in 1951.

The technically innovating design with the coffin nose body left it’s mark on popular culture inspiring a comic book version of Batmobile and at least one PlayStation along with books, music and films such as movies like James Leasor’s Where the Spies Are and The Godfather

1930 Cord L-29 Brooks Stevens Speedsteer

Simon,

Thanks to Cord & Kruse Auctions for the images.

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