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Welcome to Cordhaven!
Cordhaven is a site for automobile enthusiasts who love Auburn, Cord or Duesenberg Automobiles. At Cordhaven you can share information with other members. You can upload pictures of your ACD cars in your own private gallery. Think of Cordhaven as your Classic Car Garage. Click on Join to get your garage today!
From Eckhart to Cordhaven
The Auburn Automobile Company in Auburn, IN manufactured automobiles from 1900 through 1936. It got its start as the Eckhart Carriage Company. Operated by Frank and Morris Eckhart, the operation was a modest success as were so many of the small, family-owned automobile companies of that time.
In 1919, the Eckhart brothers sold their company to a group of Chicago investors including Bill Wrigley of Wrigley Gum fame. The new owners thought they could invigorate the struggling auto company, but soon realized they would need help. In 1924, they approached Errett Lobban Cord, a very successful automobile salesman with the Moon Automobile Co. After six months of inspecting Auburn’s operation, Cord agreed to help. E. L. Cord turned down a salary in favor of stock options. The Chicago group accepted.
Cord modified the tops of the cars and painted them with a number of vibrant colors. The company immediately sold off its inventory. It was a success! By 1925, Cord owned the company. A year later he acquired struggling Duesenberg Corporation. Fred and Augie Duesenberg were famous for Indy racing cars and were having little success selling their line of luxury automobiles, the Model A. Cord gave them the mandate to build the finest luxury automobiles ever made, the incomparable Model J. Cord now had the top-end and a value-line of automobiles. He filled in the middle price-point with a line of autos bearing his name. A front-wheel-drive car, the L-29 Cord which resembled a lower, smaller Duesenberg. The stockmarket crash of 1929 and the following depression doomed the young company. In 1936 the stunning 810/812-series Cords were manufactured as a last-ditch attempt to save the struggling firm.
Gordon Buehrig worked for Cord. He was more than a designer, he was a stylist! He designed the Auburn Boattail Speedster, the Model J Duesenbergs, the 1935–1937 Auburn Speedsters and the 810/812 Cords.
Cord started acquiring companies, including a number of his parts suppliers. Among then was Lycoming who made the engines. Lycoming also made aircraft engines. That led to the acquisition of Stinson Aircraft and American Airways which eventually became American Airlines. At his peak Cord controlled over 60 companies.
E. L. Cord moved to Beverly Hills, CA and built his beautiful 60-room mansion at the corner of Hillcrest and Doheney. It was named Cordhaven and was his primary residence for many years. It was more than a home, it was a statement of achievement for a man who started with nothing and rose to the pinnacle of American business.
For More Information, visit the following Websites:
Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club www.acdclub.org
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum www.acdmuseum.org
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