Cord was an American automobile company founded and operated by E. L. Cord in Connersville, Indiana, manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company from 1929 to 1932 and again in 1936 and 1937.

 

The Cord Corporation was known for its innovative technology and streamlined designs.

 

The design of the Cord featured hidden door hinges, a rear-hinged hood, pontoon fenders with hidden headlamps, concealed fuel filler door and variable-speed windshield wipers.

 

Cord pioneered as the 1st American automobile with front-wheel-drive. The 1929 Cord was the first to use constant-velocity joints commonly used today in all front-wheel-drive vehicles.

 

The lack of rear drivetrain components and straight frame (without rear kick-up to clear up the rear axle) allowed it to be much lower in height than competing cars whose average height was about six feet or almost two metres.

 

Both stock cars and special bodies built on the Cord chassis by American and European coachbuilders won prizes in contests worldwide.

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Supercharging was made available on the 1937 812 model, increasing horsepower to 170. Supercharged models could be distinguished by their brilliant chrome-plated external exhaust pipes mounted on each side of the hood and grill.

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