1932 Cord E-1 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. Technical: This 1932 Cord prototype is powered by a 491.0 cubic-inch displacement V-12 engine, producing 200 horsepower. The wheelbase measures 157 inches. The vehicle weighs in excess of 6,000 pounds.

The Cord was in very sad shape, and was found with no fenders, no grill shell or engine. It was moved to the Auburn-Cord-Museum in Auburn, Indiana where it was displayed for a time. From there, the hulk was moved to an Auburn/Cord Restoration shop. With the restoration project now underway, the missing parts were slowly located. The grill shell was found in Ohio, the fenders in Arizona and the engine was found in a remote corner of the Auburn Automobile Company’s power plant. The Cord’s restoration proceeded slowly and took 26-years to complete.

Consequently the plans were scaled back somewhat, primarily in the engine compartment. The V-16 was shortened to a V-12, retaining the 16’s 45-degree V angle for packaging reasons, and maintaining the projected displacement and 200-hp output. Interestingly, the V-16 that was originally fitted to this car was removed and used to power the company’s onsite generator. That engine still lives at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg museum in Auburn Indiana, which is where this car is headed immediately following the Concours.