Posts Tagged ‘antique cars’

Thanks to E. L. Cord

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

Recently, while reminiscing about my automotive obsession, I decided to offer a thank you to E.L. Cord. Indiana automotive pioneer Errett Lobban Cord is one of the individuals most responsible for the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles of the classic era. Without his influence, insight, and entrepreneurship, these fine auto products of the Cord Corporation would never have existed.

Before graduating from high school, E.L. Cord demonstrated the spirit that led to his entrepreneurial success. He purchased a Model T Ford, modified its engine, hand-built a speedster body, and then sold it at a substantial profit. Later, he barnstormed for a time as a racing driver and mechanic, while continuing to sell modified Ford speedsters at an average of $500 profit per vehicle. In the early 1920′s, Cord became a successful salesman at the Moon Dealer in Chicago, Illinois.


1935 Auburn 852 Speedster

1935 Auburn 852 Speedster
Copyright © 2008 Dennis E. Horvath

In 1924, a group of investors enlisted Cord to salvage the faltering Auburn Automobile Company. He took over the general manager position at no salary with the provision to acquire a controlling interest in the company if his efforts were successful. Cord had the large stock of unsold cars repainted in bright, attractive colors. He also instituted new designs and models and offered them at attractive prices. Sales moved forward, and by 1926, E.L. Cord was president of the company. About the same time, he purchased Duesenberg Motors and instructed Fred Duesenberg to design the world’s finest motorcar.


1933 Duesenberg La Grande

1933 Duesenberg La Grande
Copyright © 2008 Dennis E. Horvath

In 1929, he assembled a holding company called the Cord Corporation. The holdings included Auburn, Duesenberg, Central Manufacturing, Lycoming Engine, Limousine Body, and Columbia Axle. In the 1930′s, he added Stinson Aircraft Co., Century Airlines, and New York Shipbuilding Corp.

1936 Cord sedan.jpg


1936 Cord sedan

1936 Cord sedan
Copyright © 2008 Dennis E. Horvath

Cord lured top designers, engineers and marketers to his companies and encouraged excellence. For example, Auburn became one of the first automakers to offer straight-eight power in a medium-priced car. He also introduced the Cord L-29 America’s first front-drive automobile and the magnificent Duesenberg Model J, the most luxurious and best-engineered motorcar of the day.

Production at the automotive operations ceased in 1937. Later, Cord developed a career in broadcast ownership, real estate, ranching, and politics.

Today, E.L. Cord’s automotive legacy is celebrated at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival over Labor Day weekend, and on numerous other occasions around the world. So, the next time you see one of these works of automotive art, be sure to offer a thank you to E.L. Cord.

This story was excerpted from Indiana Cars: A History of the Automobile in Indiana.

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National Recognition for Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

Sunday, October 21st, 2012

One of my favorite automotive sites, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, has been named one of the “Fab 5 Automobile Destinations” by Old Cars Weekly and one of “America’s Greatest Automobile Museums” by Autoweek Magazine. This echos my many recommendations over the years.


1936 Cord convertible coupe

1936 Cord convertible coupe
Copyright © 2011 Dennis E. Horvath

Old Cars Weekly says “the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is to the hobby as the Sistine Chapel is to Vatican City.” The article praises the work of the Auburn Automobile Company while pointing out that after touring the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, guests can take a few more steps back in time at the adjacent National Auto and Truck Museum. Here the company prepared the Cord L-129 models.

I believe the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is a unique place. It is one of the first museums built in an original automotive administration building. Much of the heritage of the Auburn Automobile Company took place on this site. Guests get a chance to walk the hallways and view the offices, drawings, and clay models created by Gordon Buehrig, Alan Leamy, and savvy entrepreneur E.L. Cord. Visitors get an overview of these marvels from concept to design through completion of a mechanical masterpiece.

Whenever someone asks me what are my favorite auto museums, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is one of the first ones I mention. If you ever plan a trip to the midwest, I recommend a visit to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. Put it on your Bucket List today.

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Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum – Return to Mecca

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

This weekend I had a chance to visit the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. For me this is a return to Mecca. ACDAM is the place that probably ignited my interest in collectible autos. If you are ever in the northeast corner of Indiana, you have to visit ACADM.


1936 Cord convertible coupe

1936 Cord convertible coupe
Copyright © 2011 Dennis E. Horvath

Let me tell you about this automotive gem. ACDAM is the only auto museum occupying an original factory showroom and administration building. The art-deco structure was built in 1930 for the Auburn Automobile Company and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Galleries on the first floor showcase Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles. Some of these are one-of-a-kind automotive icons, while others are original unrestored examples.

The museum dedicates a large portion to Indiana-built automobiles from the 1890s through 1960s. In addition to the namesake cars, the Cars of Indiana Gallery on the second floor shows a cross section of cars like Marmon, Studebaker, and Stutz that brought world wide acclaim to the Hoosier state. One of my favorites here is an Indianapolis-built 1919 Cole Aero-Eight TourSedan.


1919 Cole Aero-Eight TourSedan

1919 Cole Aero-Eight TourSedan
Copyright © 2011 Dennis E. Horvath

Second floor galleries feature design examples across a wide spectrum. The Gordon Buehrig Gallery of Design focuses on the process of design at the company. Buehrig is probably most famous for designing the 1936 Cord Model 810 in addition to the 1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster and many Duesenberg Model Js. E. L. Cord’s office and design studios remain with period correct trappings from the company’s heyday. One item I particularly like is the many clay styling models of the Cord Model 810. These give an idea of the attention to detail required in designing this creative auto.

I always enjoy finding new treasures during my visits to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. Everyone I recommend it to agrees with my accolades for this Indiana automotive gem. You should be sure to visit ACDAM on a trip to the midwest.

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Swapping tales of the great auto treasure hunt

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

We are now entering the season for auto shows and swap meets, and I have been thinking back on some of my finds at these events over the years. I’m also wondering about the great treasures that others have found. What’s your story? For me, two of my best finds have to be Studebaker catalogs that collectively span the company’s time in Indiana automotive manufacturing, 1902 – 1963.

The first is a Studebaker Electric Vehicle catalog from 1902. This catalog’s copy talks about the company’s concern about offering an electric automobile that it could recommend and not discredit its standing in the vehicle market. The Studebaker electric line offered three models: a runabout, a trap, and a Stanhope, which are well illustrated. The last page remarks on the four gold medals and two bronze medals awarded for Studebaker vehicles and tack won at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The company produced 20 electric cars for the year.

My second great find is an Avanti 1962 advertising brochure at the other end of the Studebaker’s Indiana automotive story. The document is a great example of 1960’s era automotive marketing materials. This brochure’s copy is quite a contrast from that for the electric vehicles. I especially like some of the claims for performance: “More horsepower than you’ll ever need – the Avanti, with its supercharged engine and disc brakes, can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in true competition time and stop from 100 mph in well under 450 feet – about two thirds the distance required by conventional braking systems.”

These two catalogs tell the Studebaker story at both ends of an automotive saga.

So, what’s your great swap meet find?

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My First ride in an old car

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Keeping up with a theme of “My First,” I would like to share the story of my first ride in an old car. In the late 1950’s, old car is what it was called before other terms of auto endearment became popular. Car clubs and antique car shows were just in their infancy.

In that era, my family always visited our relatives during a two-week summer vacation in late August. While visiting my maternal grandparents in Lansing, Michigan, I discovered my Uncle Dick working on an early 1920’s Ford Model T coupe. This was a new experience for me because my father always drove contemporary cars. I had never seen anyone working on an old car.

The high stance of his Model T coupe was a stark contrast to our 1957 Chevrolet sedan. The small four-cylinder engine was another difference compared with our 283 V-8 engine. I was thoroughly intrigued about learning more.

My uncle allowed me to sit behind the steering wheel, if I promised not to touch any controls. When he finished up working on the engine, he asked if I would like to go for a ride. I was eager for a new experience, so I moved over to the passenger seat. He adjusted the throttle and spark advance, and then went around front to hand crank the engine.

The engine caught with the characteristic clackita-clackita-clackita roar of the Model T engine. He then climbed into the driver seat and engaged the planetary transmission. Sitting up high in the passenger compartment gave me quite a different sensation of speed. The primitive cross-leaf suspension definitely rode harder than newer cars. The breeze flowing through the split windshield was an interesting twist on summer ventilation.

Needless to say, I was soon captivated on my first ride in an old car about the streets of Lansing. Ford Model T coupes originally retailed for around $520 in the mid 1920’s. Today, number 2 condition examples go for about $12,500.

I have to say, that I owe it to my Uncle Dick for getting me interested in old cars in the late 1950’s. This magnificent obsession progressed to an interest in rods and customs in the early 1960’s, with a return to antique automobiles in the 1970’s. With an over 50 year interest in old cars, many have said that I am a “Genuine Car Nut.”

So, that’s the story of my first ride in an old car. I would like to hear about your first ride in an old car. Let the comments begin.

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Dream Car Cadillac Sixteen

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Last fall, I was pleased to talk about automotive history to a class at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN. One student asked, “What is your dream car?” Now I hadn’t really thought about any one car as being “my dream car.” I enjoy many for various reasons. But I found that I didn’t hesitate with an answer too long before I decided—the Cadillac Sixteen, which debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show.

Cadillac Sixteen Copyright 2003 General Motors
Cadillac Sixteen Concept – Copyright © 2003 General Motors

I have to admit that this car did not fit with the theme of my presentation Mileposts in Indiana Automotive History. However, this model does make me think of the coachbuilt era of the 1930’s, when many of America’s great cars were designed. Cadillac introduced its first V-16 automobile in 1930, followed by Marmon shipping its first Sixteen in 1931. Both of these cars were top of the mark in their era. I believe the current Cadillac Sixteen pays tribute to these cars and extends the design to the new millennium. For me, the Cadillac is the epitome of current American car design.

So, let us take a look at the Cadillac Sixteen. This luxury-sedan concept, measuring 20 feet long and weighting 2.5 tons, is powered by a 13.6 liter V-16 engine producing over 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. The engine debuts fuel-saving “Displacement on Demand” technology for a 20 m.p.g. rating.

The Sixteen features an ultra luxurious cabin with hand-stitched, Tuscany leather upholstered seats and an all-glass roof. Walnut burl veneer inlays trim the dash, door panels, and front and rear consoles. A Bulgari clock is mounted in the dash center.

The exterior styling has a long hood and a low sedan passenger compartment much like its predecessors from the 1930’s. I like how the design line flows from the LED headlights to the LED taillights. The wheel arches show-off the 24-inch polished aluminum wheels with custom Michelin tires. A Sixteen nameplate resides over the vent behind the front wheels.

So, I can dream, can’t I?

I’d like to hear some of your choices for a dream car.

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