AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG CLUB

Chris Summers · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 7:03 am Post subject:

Thanks to our resident Auburn Motor Sales Historian. Very Happy

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Chris Summers
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streamliner · ACD Club Member Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 65

And now for something completely different:

This car is supposed to be based on a Cord L29, built in 1936 for a land speed record attempt at breaking Ab Jenkin's records. Originally called the Golden Eagle, then used in a Jimmy Stewart movie, Speed in 1936. Then used as an attraction at the Thunderbowl Speedway in Carpinteria, CA until around 1956. Then, evidently as an attraction for the Village Inn (try their salad bar) in Missouri, until these photos.

Around 1970, these pics are from Acton, CA at a western attraction off of Highway 14. That's Alex Tremulis behind the wheel, then with Pete Politis, Alex's brother-in-law and Gyronaut pit crew member, looking at the engine, and I think that's Strother MacMinn in the side shot.

Anyone know anything more or where this ex-L29 is today???

Chris Summers · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject:

Looks more like Randy Ema but I could be wrong, you know their faces better than I.

What an indignity for that poor thing (and if the salad bar is the best thing at the Village Inn, it doesn't speak much for the Village Inn). I wonder what the enclosure was supposed to prevent, since the car could be rolled out either end by a thief.

Has a little Malcolm Campbell Bluebird, a little Barney Oldfield's Golden Rocket, and a little Pontiac Club de Mer, all thrown into one.
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Chris Summers
AACA
ACD Club
Chandler-Cleveland Motor Club
Jordan Register

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

streamliner · ACD Club Member Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 65

alsancle · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:21 am Post subject:

That is cool.

DJT · ACD Club Member Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 453

The Golden Eagle as seen in Popular Mechanics in September 1941 <CLICK HERE> -- hopefully the link works......
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alsancle · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:27 am Post subject:

alsancle · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:01 am Post subject:

From what I can tell, it was actually built for the movie "Speed" and not for an LSR attempt. If you think about it, would a L29 chassis/wheels be a good platform for 200mph? I have seen a reference to it being broken up for the l29 parts but also perhaps not.

alsancle · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:13 am Post subject:

mikespeed35 · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:40 pm Post subject:

There are several reasons I always have a hard time believing a L-29 would make a good race car. Transmission gearing, Differential gearing CV joints, inboard braking and weight, to name a few. But I love driving mine and the design, the design, the design, what more can I say.
CORDially Mike
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Mike Huffman

RandyEma · Duesenberg Historian Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 270

Wow you guys sure have fun guessing this car is strictly a movie prop car and is in Ariz now awaiting restoration. Randy

streamliner · ACD Club Member Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 65

I hope during restoration they get that family of groundhogs out of it (or is that how it was powered for the movie?).

Anyone recognize anything familiar (under the hood)???

alsancle · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:37 pm Post subject:

Do you have any interior shots?

Randy, which incarnation is it being restored to?

mikespeed35 · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:47 pm Post subject:

The engine looks all L-29 Cord, although the radiator inlet is in the wrong position. It looks as though the top tank has been altered to lower the hood line.
CORDially Mike
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Mike Huffman

K Clark · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:33 am Post subject: L-29

Everything under the hood Looks L-29
K Clark