The ACD Museum - Summer 2023

In the summer of 2023, my wife and I had a little auto-museum tour for a few days. We traveled to the National Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio. From there we went to America's Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio (the better of the two). The 2nd day brought us to Auburn, Indiana. In a 2-day visit, we went to the ACD Museum, the National Auto & Truck Museum and the early Ford V-8 Museum (which was awesome). On the 4th day, we were up early and traveled to South Bend, Indiana where we spent the day touring the Studebaker National Museum (which is another awesome place). On the 5th day morning we woke in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which after a short drive, we arrived at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. This is by far, by absolute favorite car museum, so an entire day is required to take in all the cars in this large Museum Complex. We stayed until almost closing, and with just a little more than a 90-minute drive, we were home. My wife says she had a good time, but I know cars are not her thing, and as far as I could tell, she got acquainted with a fair number of benches and other seating devices during the visits, good thing she brought a couple of books along, LOL! 

I had planned a return and expanded tour this past summer as well, but unfortunately, I was not in the right frame of mind or health to make that adventure, I am hopeful for a more limited trip next summer. I did manage to get to the Gilmore Car Museum this past summer for a day during the Pierce-Arrow National Meet. My wife was able to attend, but my grandson did the driving, and we spent the day together. If I go next summer, he'll be my companion then as well, along with his little sister, she really wants to go too. We'll see. I am working on photos from that visit as I can.

Here are some beautiful Cord automobiles from the ACD Museum, which is an incredible place that should be on everyone's "bucket-list"

Here are two gorgeous Cord automobiles, one from each generation of design, with a bit of info thrown in. Thanks for looking.

THE CORD AUTOMOBILE – A STYLING AND TECHNICAL REVOLUTION (from Museum literature and placards)

The Cord automobile is, upon its introduction and continues to be this day, a styling and technical revolution. Built by the Auburn Automobile Company, both generations of the Cord feature unique styling and a radical front wheel drive system.

Although the first-generation Cord, the L-29, was not the first automobile to feature front wheel drive, it was the first commercially and mechanically successful American front wheel drive car. With the lack of a driveshaft to a rear axle, it provided a lower roofline than the traditional rear wheel drive automobiles. This provided a more pleasing style.

The second-generation Cord, the 810 and 812, took the styling revolution to the next level, eliminating the running boards, featuring retractable headlights and showcasing the now iconic wrap-around hood louvers. It also featured a unique transmission gear selection system and one of the earliest unit-body constructive designs.

CORD L-29, produced from 1929 through1931, 5,010 units.

CORD 810/812, produced in 1936 and 1937, approximately 2,940 units.

-1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet

The Cord L-29 was the first successful mass-produced front-wheel-drive American automobile. But it was much more than that. Look at the styling of this automotive masterpiece. It was styled by Alan Leamy and was conceived as a single unit with the symmetry of the interior reflecting the external lines. Automotive styling had come into its own with this design. No longer was it an afterthought. Leamy incorporated the mechanical features of the front drive unit into the subtle style of the Cord. Cloaking the most technologically advanced automobile of its day in beauty, Leamy ensured the L-29 was superior both mechanically and aesthetically.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Cabriolet

Wheelbase: 137.5 inches

Engine: Lycoming in-line eight-cylinder

Transmission: Three speed manual

Displacement: 299 cubic inches

Horsepower: 125 at 3,400 rpm

Weight: 4,500 lbs.

Price When New: $3,195

-Along with the display was this unique and very interesting airplane.

-1946 Stinson V-77 Gullwing

The Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in Dayton, Ohio in 1920 by Edward Stinson. By 1927, Northwest Airlines (now known as Delta Airlines) utilized Stinson aircraft in their fleet. E.L. Cord acquired 60% of Stinson stock in September 1929 through the Cord Corporation, which allowed Stinson to offer six aircraft models in 1930 and gave Cord his first foray into the world of air transportation.

This Stinson V-77 was built for military use in WWII as a utility aircraft. Under the At-19 designation, it was used by the United States Army for training. Following the end of WWII, the surplus Stinson aircraft were sold on the civilian market as the V-77 Gullwing. This Stinson was completely restored with a wood instrument panel, leather seats and lace curtains.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: V-77 Gullwing

Engine: Lycoming R-680-E3B 9-cylinder radial

Horsepower: 300 at 2,200 rpm

Wingspan: 41 feet, 3 inches

Length: 28 feet, 3 inches – Height: 8 feet, 7 inches

Maximum Speed: 145 mph

Ceiling: 14,000 feet – Range: 575 miles

Crew: Up to five – Armament: None

Weight: 4,150 lbs.

MOVING A PLANE INSIDE

Moving a plane inside a building is no easy feat. It took planning, scale drawings, and figuring out just the right angles to move the plane inside. The wings needed to be removed prior to installation inside the museum, while the horizontal stabilizers stayed on. Once the plane was inside, the wings were carefully installed using a forklift, soft moving cloths and a team of knowledgeable volunteers.

a photo taken with the Cord L-29

-1936 Cord 810 Westchester Sedan

Josh Malks was an ambassador of the Cord automobile and shared its virtue with the rest of the world. Malks, an avid world traveler along with his wife Betty, drove this Cord to the coast of California and to the shores of the Dead Sea. Its mileage currently stands at 115,000. This Cord has roamed the lands of North America, Europe and the Middle East. From the front seat of his Cord, Malks was able to view the world unlike many others.

The given name of this Cord 810 Westchester Sedan is “Moonshadow,” due to its distinguished silvery-blue finish and the original blue English Broadcloth interior. It has been highly praised and recognized in several car shows. In its November 2002 issue, which celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the American automobile, Forbes’ American Heritage magazine chose the Cord 810 as “The Single Most Beautiful American Car.”

RESTORING MEMORIES

Josh Malks was a well-known historian and Cord automobile ambassador who drove this Cord, named Moonshadow, worldwide. Unfortunately, after his donation of the car to the ACD Museum, the engine block side plates were discovered to be cracked and the engine was undrivable, a fate not uncommon for Cord engines and old metallurgy. In conjunction with several benefactors, the museum underwent a complete engine rebuild and returned the storied Cord back to running order.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: 810 Westchester Sedan

Wheelbase: 125 inches

Engine: Lycoming V-8, L-head, cast iron block, aluminum cylinder heads

Transmission: Pre-select four-Speed

Displacement: 289 cubic inches

Horsepower: 125 at 3,600 rpm

Weight: 4,000 lbs.

Price When New: $1,995