The 1936 Cord is counted as the most striking and innovative car of its time. Mechanically it was way ahead of its peers. Cord was the first mass-production auto offered with front-wheel drive. The elimination of the rear drive train allowed the car to be so low, running boards were unnecessary. It also featured an “alligator” style hood hinged at the rear, “coffin” front-end styling, concealed door hinges, and teardrop shaped fenders. The disappearing headlights are individually raised and lowered by hand-cranks located on the dash in front of the driver and passenger. Many of these features influenced other manufacturers’ designs in the years ahead.

When it was unveiled at the New York Auto Show in November 1935, this car caused a sensation. Unfortunately, with so many new features that had not been adequately tested in advance, the Cord gained a reputation for being gorgeous, but unreliable.

More from our automobile collection:

In our current exhibit, From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, we present the origin story of the American automobile through 23 cars from Heritage’s permanent collection of antique and classic automobiles. Come along for a ride from the late 1800s to the 1960s and watch the car evolve from a horseless carriage to a streamlined symbol of freedom and independence.