At its debut, the Cord Front-Drive (L-29) was the first major American production car with front-wheel drive, and it was easily the most innovative automobile that had been offered to the public in a decade, thanks to engineering input from legendary racecar builder Harry Miller.

The Cord’s front-wheel-drive system employed a Lycoming straight-eight that was reversed in the chassis so that the transmission was at the extreme front.

With no lengthy driveshaft to accommodate, renowned designers were free to pen low, rakish coachwork of dramatic proportions, all without compromising cabin space or comfort.

Unfortunately, the L-29 came to market just as the Great Depression buckled the automobile industry, and production of the car faded away in late 1931.

The cabriolet offered here, serial number 2928423, is a late-production 1930 example believed to have been delivered new to Southern California and originally purchased by Burbank resident Leonard Roos.

In 1974, it was purchased by ...