Story of the Week

The Cord Automobile Offered the Best Designs and Advertising 

by Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian & Researcher 

The Cord automobile, made in Auburn, Indiana, was a great-looking American vehicle from the early days of the industry. It featured two front-wheel-drive and was introduced in 1929, the same year the stock market crash triggered the Great Depression. 

During the early 1930s, Cord lead designer Gordon Buehrig would develop an automobile that would become timeless and keep up with the legacy of the L-29 model. The new design offered front wheel drive powered by a newly designed V8 engine from Lycoming. The model was completed in December 1935 and went into production on February 15, 1936. Unfortunately, many problems occurred during the manufacturing process. 

Automotive historians have said for many years that the 1936 and 1937 Cord models were among the best designed automobiles of the 20^th Century. They sold for $1,995 to $2,195. These included models like the 1936 Cord 810, the Phaeton and the 1937 Westchester sedan.  

To learn more about Cord advertising and see more examples, click below.

This Week's Story

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This Week in Auto Heritage 

On March 19, 1947, William C. "Billy" Durant, the founder of General Motors. died in New York City. 

In 1908, Durant, as the head of the Buick Motor Company, spent $2,000 to incorporate General Motors in New Jersey. Durant had made his fortune building horse-drawn carriages in Flint, MI, and the giant company he built would dominate the American auto industry for decades. 

The new GM was the opposite of Ford Motor Company: instead of just making one car, like the Model T, it produced a wide variety of cars for a wide variety of buyers. In its first two years, GM cobbled together 30 companies, including 11 automakers like Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Oakland (which later became Pontiac), some supplier firms, and even an electric company. 

Buying all these companies was too expensive for the fledgling GM, and in 1910 Durant lost control of the company to a bankers' trust. He started a new car company with the Chevrolet brothers and was able to buy enough GM stock to regain control of the corporation from 1916 to 1920. In the 1920s, he founded another car company called Durant Motors. 

Durant later lost his fortune, but the serial entrepreneur continued to explore new ventures for the rest of his life.

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Events Coming to the MotorCities

Saturday: Driving HerStory Event at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing 

This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., come to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum for a day filled with history, empowerment, and filmed storytelling! 

The Museum is on a mission to collect oral histories from women who have worked in the automotive industry so that these stories can be preserved for future generations. Come celebrate the contributions of Women HERstory makers and record your personal experiences on film. 

Women in automotive industries will be highlighted and opportunities for patrons to record personal automotive industry experiences will be available on-site. The first 50 registrants receive complimentary access to the museum and a free boxed lunch. Please register at: http://driving-herstory.eventbrite.com/ 

Additional information is available here.

Sunday: Lecture at the Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society in Eastpointe 

On Sunday at 2 p.m., the Michigan Military Technical and Historical Society hosts a lecture titled, “Donald Nelson and the Arsenal of Democracy.” This lecture will be presented by Chris Causley, President of the Society. Donald Nelson (pictured below) was a household name during World War II that has largely been forgotten by history. His actions during the war effort had an impact on almost every American at home and overseas.  

For more information, click here.

Tuesday: Women in Automotive Panel at the U-M Detroit Center 

On Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., the University of Michigan Detroit Center hosts a special Women's History Month panel.

Did you know women drive the Motor City? It's sure to be an inspiring evening as Myrtle Brooks, Janice Ford, Cheryl Thompson, and Ghana Goodwin-Dye share their powerful stories and experiences in the auto industry. Hear firsthand how these four trailblazing women have navigated challenges, career pivots, and achieved success in their field and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate their journeys, gain valuable insights, and foster a more inclusive future. 

Visit here for more information and to register.