http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5369023848.html

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

pretty cool...he's had that for sale for a long time, I think I remember seeing it over a year ago. It's been heavily modified and would take quite a bit of work to get those fenders and windshield areas corrected

My grandfather's first car was a 1936 Cord Auburn Roadster. He overbored it and used to race it for extra cash in the late 40's. It was red and white. Sold it in 1952 for $300 (essentially $3,000 now). Do you KNOW how much that's worth now?! He's still kicking himself over that one.

This is off the internet but this is essentially what it looked like.

My dad used to scrap out cars back in the 50s. I used to have a photo of him in a white T shirt, a packet of cigarettes rolled up in his sleeve, hair slicked back like "Fonzie" and lighting his cigarette with a lit oxy/acct torch. He had his foot on the bumper of a 1936 cord like this one. He said after he lit the cigarette, he cut the Cord up into a bunch of scrap iron. These things had little value back then. I do think he always wised he had kept that one ....

It's unfortunate that it doesn't have the drivetrain. That was originally a front wheel drive car. Interestingly during the depression many auto companies went out of business. That body style was used for three different cars made by 3 manufacturers and all eventually went out of business. 1. Cord 2. Hupmobile 3. Hollywood Graham.

Graham was the last to go and they were later merged merged with Kaiser Frazer.
Norm

My 90 year old next door neighbor has been into restoring Cord cars for himself and others all of his adult life. In the 20 years that we've been neighbors I've observed and helped him with all manner of activities.

The particular model that's for sale on Craig's List is probably at the bottom of the value totem pole, especially with its entire drive train missing. Neighbor tells me that if you want a Cord Westchester, the far cheapest route is to go buy one fully restored. They're worth a lot less than the sum of the parts. I imagine this seller came to the same realization when he bought his restored car.

I helped the neighbor pick up 2 Cords last year from a single seller. Similar condition but complete cars. I think he paid around $16k for the pair.

Just my thoughts and not to offend anyone, for this particular case, I would consider a late 60s Toronado or Eldorado drivetrain, because the engine is parallel to the frame rails and perpendicular to the trans. Also carbed and no computer. I don't think the hood is wide enough for a Northstar driveline from a 90s Cadillac. I have a 96 Deville with one and really like it, but has exteme drawbacks for this case, ie the engine sits sideways witch would make it much too wide and it's fuel injected and computer controlled. Again these are my thoughts to try and save this unit from scraping until an original driveline could be found and installed with out altering the basic car. If this car is on the road I think its value is enhanced no matter what driveline pushes it down the road.

I could be mistaken, but the GM front wheel drive has the differential close to the center of the engine, maybe a little closer to the front of the engine. Didn't the Cord have the transmission and differential pushed out ahead of the engine? I don't think the logistics of this proposed swap would be an easy task

A friend of mine has this Cord here in town. I believe it is a 1936 like what is in that listing.





It is a nice one with 55,630 miles on it. Looks like he had the little front cover off for some reason.

Ken in Texas

Oddly enough I saw not one but 2 Cords a couple of weeks ago within 3 days. The first was a Super Beverly Supercharged sedan that the current owner had just purchased. The second one was a Beverly sedan that had just recently been photographed by members of the ACD club as it has the most original interior of any known Beverly sedan. Both beautiful cars in their own way.

Funny Story...Years ago my dad and I toured White Post Restorations in Va. They were know for Cord and Duesy restorations. A sudden rainstorm ran us into a storage garage with unrestored project cars. I saw a Cord and walked up to the drivers door to take a look. When I got where I could see thru the dust there was a skeleton in the driver's seat. I jumped about a foot in the air! Dad, who was back near the door laughing said "You do know they call them 'Coffin Noses' don't you?!?!?"

My father had a magic gift for turning gold bars into turds. His car ownership record
was exemplary, trading in a paid-off 66 Mustang on a "new" Pinto wagon, pulling the F/I
off his bought-new 57 Chevy, ... there were others ... But the topper of all, was trading
a 1931 Auburn roadster for a 1930-1 Model A coupe !