Cord were instrumental in the development of many American car brands and aviation companies.
Errett Lobban Cord founded the Cord Corporation in 1929 as an umbrella for the 150 companies that he controlled – mostly in aviation or automobile manufacturing. During the 20s and 30s he owned Lycoming and Stinson aircraft companies as well as Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg and Checker cabs. He was also the owner of American Airways, the forerunner of today’s American Airlines, who he bought from Aviation Corporation, 3 years before he sold the whole group back to them!
Cord, the manufacturer, only made cars for 6 years in two stints: 1929 to 32 and then 1936 – 37. Only two models were produced, the L-29 during the first stint and the 810/812 during the second period.
The L-29 was the first front-wheel drive car in the US and the 810/812 models were distinguished by its retractable headlights. The 810 used a Lycoming V8 for power. Probably less than 4,000 vehicles were ever produced under the Cord brand as the Auburn and Duesenberg brands were also made in the same factory in Auburn, Illinois.
Auburn ceased production of Cord cars in 1937 after EL Cord sold the whole company to Aviation Corporation and several attempts were made to recreate the cars by other manufacturers. Hupmobile and Graham-Paige used the body dies to build cars in the early 40s but both failed to be successful.
Aviation Corp was founded to manage small aviation companies, so the fit with Cord Corp was there due to the ownership of Lycoming and American Airways and this focus explains why the car companies ceased manufacturing.
Aviation Corporation changed its name to Avco and was acquired by Textron in 1986, however, like Studebaker, its financial services arm was spun off as a separate entity, and is now owned by Citigroup.