GUEST: This model was a gift from Errett Lobban Cord in 1931 to my grandfather, Lou Manning. My grandfather commissioned the Elgin Watch Company to make a model identical to this to be presented to E.L. Cord of the Auburn Automobile Company.
APPRAISER: Now what relationship did Manning have to Mr. Cord?
GUEST: They were partners, business partners, and they together purchased a defunct automobile company called Auburn Automobile Manufacturing in Auburn, Indiana. They produced three vehicles that they wanted to really stand out. There was the Auburn, the Duesenberg, and the Cord automobile, and they were way ahead of their time. This is a L-29 Cabriolet Cord.
APPRAISER: And it's made by?
GUEST: The Auburn Automobile Company.
APPRAISER: Now, this is the front-wheel drive car, and a very fast one, too.
GUEST: Very, very fast. The first front-wheel drive prototype of its type ever produced.
APPRAISER: So there were two of these. You say your grandfather made one for Mr. Cord, and then how did this one happen to be made?
GUEST: Well, I think Mr. Cord decided he would return the favor, and asked them to make another one for Lou.
APPRAISER: I see. Now as I understand it, the first one made is absolutely pristine, it's in a case in the Cord Museum with plates identifying it as being owned to Mr. Cord. Well, it's absolutely fabulous, and I have to say it's one of the most wonderful things I've seen at the ROADSHOW in many, many years. And what's amazing is the level of detail is just astounding. The rumble seat works, fully upholstered. But what's really astounding is right here you have the machined aluminum dashboard, all these dials just appropriate. The doors open with all the handles and latches, and even the windows open. Has all the features that made the Auburn a desirable car to modern collectors. The side-mount spare tires, wonderful luggage rack. Amazing, incredible detail. Now unfortunately, it's not a toy. But you and your kid brothers and everything sort of thought it was.
GUEST: Three generations played with this car. The bumpers worked well enough to stop the car, but obviously it's hit the fenders and popped the paint. And a lot of the tire rubber has come off. It's a lot of wear and tear, but since I have acquired it as a young man, I've taken as best care of it as I could.
APPRAISER: Well, it's great construction. Even really amazing is the fact that the wheels are wood, and it still has some of the rubber. It's sort of surprising also that it's just good as it is, even though you guys played with it. You have a sense of the value, I think?
GUEST: I would think somewhere in the range of maybe $20,000, $25,000 just because of what it is. But it's hard to put a price on something like this.
APPRAISER: It really is. There were a series of cars, they were Hudson models and about this big, which they made about 12 or 15 of. Highly detailed, not as great a detail as this, sold at auction for around $26,000. This, I think easily $25,000. And at auction, if you had a Cord Duesenberg Auburn enthusiast, easily $25,000, $35,000. The fact also that it has the provenance, it just adds another level to it.
