How many Cord L29s are left in New Zealand?
Unicorn 1 in 4,674,872 on the road Built 1930 American
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
America's first front-wheel-drive production car, launched in 1929 by E.L. Cord's Auburn company with a Lycoming straight-eight. With no driveshaft to clear, it could sit much lower than its rivals, and coachbuilders made the most of the long bonnet. The Depression cut it short and it ended in 1932.
Still on the road, by model year
1 from 1930.
What Unicorn means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 1 still registered, the Cord L29 is Unicorn: the grade for cars with fewer than 5 left.
By how many are left it ranks 2nd of the 2 Cord models and equal 2,668th of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.