#acd museum

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1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet - ACD Museum, August 2023

The Cord L-29 was the first successful mass-produced front-wheel-drive American automobile. But it was much more than that. Look at the styling of this automotive masterpiece. It was styled by Alan Leamy and was conceived as a single unit with the symmetry of the interior reflecting the external lines. Automotive styling had come into its own with this design. No longer was it an afterthought. Leamy incorporated the mechanical features of the front drive unit into the subtle style of the Cord. Cloaking the most technologically advanced automobile of its day in beauty, Leamy ensured the L-29 was superior both mechanically and aesthetically.

SPECIFICATIONS Model: Cabriolet Wheelbase: 137.5 inches Engine: Lycoming in-line eight-cylinder Transmission: Three speed manual Displacement: 299 cubic inches Horsepower: 125 at 3,400 rpm Weight: 4,500 lbs. Price When New: $3,195

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1935 Auburn 851 Boattail Speedster

Issued by Ertl Collectibles. It is 1:18 scale. A LE 1 of 2500 from Ertl Collectibles Limited-ACD Museum Edition. The model is finished in Butternut Yellow.

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Duesenberg V16 aircraft engine

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1937 Cord 812 Sedan by JCarnutz Via Flickr: Taken at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana. October 2014. On October 26.

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1936 Cord 810 Westchester Sedan - ACD Museum, August 2023

Josh Malks was an ambassador of the Cord automobile and shared its virtue with the rest of the world. Malks, an avid world traveler along with his wife Betty, drove this Cord to the coast of California and to the shores of the Dead Sea. Its mileage currently stands at 115,000. This Cord has roamed the lands of North America, Europe and the Middle East. From the front seat of his Cord, Malks was able to view the world unlike many others. The given name of this Cord 810 Westchester Sedan is “Moonshadow,” due to its distinguished silvery-blue finish and the original blue English Broadcloth interior. It has been highly praised and recognized in several car shows. In its November 2002 issue, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the American automobile, Forbes’ American Heritage magazine chose the Cord 810 as “The Single Most Beautiful American Car.” RESTORING MEMORIES Josh Malks was a well-known historian and Cord automobile ambassador who drove this Cord, named Moonshadow, worldwide. Unfortunately, after his donation of the car to the ACD Museum, the engine block side plates were discovered to be cracked and the engine was un-drivable, a fate not uncommon for Cord engines and old metallurgy. In conjunction with several benefactors, the museum underwent a complete engine rebuild and returned the storied Cord back to running order.

SPECIFICATIONS Model: 810 Westchester Sedan Wheelbase: 125 inches Engine: Lycoming V-8, L-head, cast iron block, aluminum cylinder heads Transmission: Pre-select four-Speed Displacement: 289 cubic inches Horsepower: 125 at 3,600 rpm Weight: 4,000 lbs. Price When New: $1,995

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1946 Stinson V-77 Gullwing - ACD Museum, August 2023

The Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in Dayton, Ohio in 1920 by Edward Stinson. By 1927, Northwest Airlines (now known as Delta Airlines) utilized Stinson aircraft in their fleet. E.L. Cord acquired 60% of Stinson stock in September 1929 through the Cord Corporation, which allowed Stinson to offer six aircraft models in 1930 and gave Cord his first foray into the world of air transportation. This Stinson V-77 was built for military use in WWII as a utility aircraft. Under the At-19 designation, it was used by the United States Army for training. Following the end of WWII, the surplus Stinson aircraft were sold on the civilian market as the V-77 Gullwing. This Stinson was completely restored with a wood instrument panel, leather seats and lace curtains.

SPECIFICATIONS Model: V-77 Gullwing Engine: Lycoming R-680-E3B 9-cylinder radial Horsepower: 300 at 2,200 rpm Wingspan: 41 feet, 3 inches Length: 28 feet, 3 inches – Height: 8 feet, 7 inches Maximum Speed: 145 mph Ceiling: 14,000 feet – Range: 575 miles Crew: Up to five – Armament: None Weight: 4,150 lbs.

MOVING A PLANE INSIDE Moving a plane inside a building is no easy feat. It took planning, scale drawings, and figuring out just the right angles to move the plane inside. The wings needed to be removed prior to installation inside the museum, while the horizontal stabilizers stayed on. Once the plane was inside, the wings were carefully installed using a forklift, soft moving cloths and a team of knowledgeable volunteers.

[carnutzphoto]

1948 Tasco - Prototype

Taken at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum - August 2023

A group of investors wanted to build a suitable American sports car for a European type racing event to be held at Watkins Glen, New York. Gordon Buehrig was part of the group of investors, and he also performed the design work. He oversaw the production of this single prototype vehicle. The aluminum body was built by the Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania. It was the first car in the world with a T-top roof, an idea that Gordon Buehrig patented. He later sued General Motors for infringement when the 1968 Corvette came out with a T-top roof. The front fenders of the Tasco are made of fiberglass and the roof panels are Plexiglas. The name Tasco stands for “The American Sports Car Company”. SPECIFICATIONS Model: Prototype Wheelbase: 110 inches Engine: Mercury V-8 Transmission: Three speed manual Displacement: 239 cubic inches Horsepower: 150