The 1931 Cord L-29 Boattail Speedster was one of a kind .
It ’s a set phrase often bandied about , but every now and then it is justifiably applied to something truly special . The L-29 was build to garner prestige for itself at shows and events in the United States and Europe . The railcar ’s spectacular show was enhanced by a bold color dodging of Chinese Red match with bright lily-livered panels flaring out along the bodysides and around the interior bathing tub . Narrow , slit - eyed Woodlite headlights add an eerie look . Interior touches excogitate the high life of a bygone era .
fold up threshold panels house etch shoot glass and a humidor . acknowledgment for the slippery Speedster design was attributed to Philip 0 . Wright , of Murphy Body in California . ( Interestingly , this would be the only commission Wright would receive from the company . ) The coachwork was done by the Union Body Company , an Indiana firm that produced custom bodies under the name LaGrande .
The L-29 Speedster made its show first appearance in 1931 ( having first merchandise in its Woodlites for schematic rotund lamps ) , and navigate across the Atlantic to Europe twice in its short lifetime . Along the way it gathered legions of supporter and left behind challenging , yet unverifiable myths about potential possession by large people , such as Paul Bern , the ill - doomed hubby of film genius Jean Harlow . The Speedster melt during one of its European expedition , never to be visualise again .
But neither was it leave . In 1990 , Stan Gilliland discharge this recreation of the fabled Speedster . Commissioned by Dr. F. H. Culbreth , it is the final result of a painstaking process that set out with a proficiency called " lofting , " in which historical photographs and calculated dimensions are used to render full - size of it drawing off . The rebodied Speedster rest atop a genuine front - cycle - driveway L-29 chassis with a wheel - foot of 137.5 inch , and employs an original Cord drivetrain and instrument panel . The 299 - cid Lycoming inline eight - cylinder locomotive is rated at 125 bhp .
Those who want a closer look for themselves can get one by chit-chat the Auburn - Cord - Duesenberg Museum in Auburn , Indiana . The Speedster was donated in part by note East Coast car collector David Stevenson .
