Last updated on September 29, 2023
Today’s car is the first car of five cars in the Frankel Collection. It is a 1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet finished in Livery Red with Black fenders and trim. The Light Dove interior with a black canvas top and boot cover. The L-29 shared the 298.6 cubic-inch Lycoming straight-eight with top of the line Auburns. The “F.D.” serial number prefix designates this as a genuine, factory-built cabriolet, the sportiest and arguably most desirable of the L-29 series Cords. The Frankels initiated a complete, nut-and-bolt restoration with Jim Livings in Tucson, Arizona. The asking price was $199.500.
It is powered by a 125 hp, 4.9 liter, inline-8 Lycoming engine, with a single Schebler 2 bbl updraft carburetor and mated to a front wheel drive 3-speed selective sliding transmission with 4.08:1 gear ratio. Slowing this beauty down Wagner-Lockheed hydraulic drum brakes all around. The suspension has a de Dion front setup, double universal joints (constant velocity joint) with double 1/4 elliptical leaf springs and a rear beam axle, with semi-elliptical leaf springs and Houdaille shock absorbers all around.
This car was part of the Al Frankel collection that was stored across the street from us in their 5 car garage. The garage was under the house that Al designed with a car collection in mind, circa 1950. Al and Margaret bought this car in 1953. I remember Margaret telling me she use to drive this car to work. They also attended local car club events. The pictures are as they preparing this car for transportation to Hyman Ltd where it was sold. Al and Margaret passed away in late 2018 and early 2019. This is a beautiful automobile and their love for automobiles showed in their collection. There are 4 more cars in this collection see you tomorrow for car number 2.
Thanks for riding along. Frank
The following pictures are from Hyman LTD when they were offering “The Frankel Collection“.
