The Cord automobile, a masterpiece of innovation from the Auburn Motor Company, dazzled with its futuristic designs and groundbreaking features like front-wheel drive and hidden headlights. Despite its sleek “Coffin nose” and advanced engineering, the Cord struggled with reliability issues and economic downturns. It couldn’t outrun the Great Depression, leading to its discontinuation. E.L. Cord’s ambitious plans sputtered, much like the cars’ carburetors, as his empire ultimately shifted to Nevada real estate.