Art of the Classic Car

the heavy end of the vehicle, the traction of those tires was enhanced
and power could be translated into forward momentum that much
more effectively.
Transferred to the L-29, these front-wheel-drive advantages
were apparent to Wright. In his autobiography, Wright predicted
that the principles of front-wheel-drive were logical and scientific,
and that all cars would eventually be set up that way. By the 1980s,
the auto industry’s widespread adoption of front-wheel-drive had
largely followed Wright’s prediction.
The L-29’s transaxle was placed in front of its long, straight-
eight engine. This in turn necessitated a long hood. Cord’s Al
Leamy only emphasized the car’s low, long nature in his body
design. A color-coordinated radiator surround, a low roofline, and
raised accents running the length of the car helped stretch out the
vehicle’s visual impression.
The L-29’s impact on the larger automobile industry was
blunted by the stock market crash that immediately followed its
introduction. Cord was forced to lower prices and only moved a
few thousand cars before production ended in 1932.