1932 Cord Prototype

This impressive vehicle is known as “E-1.” It is a prototype for the vehicle that was to replace the Cord L-29. According to Auburn Automobile Company records, three “EXPR Cord-12” sedans were produced in August of 1932. When E. L. Cord was looking forward to his next generation of vehicles, he ordered a car to be built that was 20 inches longer than the L-29. It was originally built with a 16-cylinder engine, which was soon replaced with a prototype 12-cylinder engine of the same displacement. Unfortunately, it was not the right time economically to introduce such an ambitious vehicle, and thus, it never entered production. A multi-year restoration effort, coupled with a painstaking search for as many parts as possible, led to the creation of this prototype, which likely utilizes parts from all 3 experimental models built. The wheelbase is 157 inches and it weighs in excess of 6,000 lbs.