Monday 13th November 1916

The 20-year-old Errett Lobban Cord, the genius behind the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg family of automobiles won his first motor race in Arizona driving a Paige. From his racing beginnings, Cord moved into automobile sales, and in 1924 joined the faltering Auburn Automobile Company. A brilliant salesman, he rapidly pulled the company out of debt and was subsequently named the vice president and general manager at Auburn. Under Cord’s guidance, the Auburn line was entirely refashioned, and the new Auburns were known as some of the most luxurious and fashionable cars on the road. In 1926, Cord acquired the design skills of Fred Duesenberg, and in 1928, the Duesenberg Model J, one of the finest automobiles ever made, was introduced to the public.