The 1936 Cord and its revolutionary design shocked the industry. Its streamlined shape was created by Gordon Buehrig with assistance from Vince Gardner and features a low silhouette, front wheel drive and unitized body construction. It was the first production car to feature retractable headlamps. The wheel cover design mimics the fender contours, and the wheel covers’ holes allow for cooling the brakes.
Despite critical acclaim, the Cord’s production run was hampered by product development and corporate financial woes. After production ceased in 1937, the Cord’s body shell was utilized by the Hupp Skylark and Graham Hollywood.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN |
ENGINE |
HORSEPOWER |
NUMBER BUILT |
| United States | V8, 288 C.I. (Lycoming) | 125 | 2,900 (Total, 1936-1937) |
Exhibited courtesy of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, Auburn, Indiana
DID YOU KNOW? |
| Gordon Buehrig and Vince Gardner later worked for Raymond Loewy Associates at Studebaker. |
Photo Credit: Visit South Bend
About this Series
Streamlined: Style on Motion was on display at the Museum in 2019. This series of articles comes for the displays from that exhibition.
