Jacob Henney began building carriages in Cedarville, Illinois in 1854. His company thrived and in 1929, his grandson, John W. Henney, Jr. became superintendent at the age of 29. Unfortunately, the carriage building was nearing the end of its era and the company was liquidated. John used the proceeds to start a company that built truck bodies and funeral coaches. They supplied funeral hearses and flower cars until 1954.

Henney introduced a NU-three-way side-loading casket rack in their hearses in 1929 and the company prospered at the expense of their competitors. The company was able to survive the Stock Market Crash with ample cash reserves. John Henney was a good friend of Erret Lobban Cord who challenged John to build a car equally as classy as the L-29 Cord. The result was four special convertible cars that were sold to Henney’s friends and large customers.

This car features a 268.6 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder engine rated at 98 horsepower, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and rides on an Auburn chassis. It includes a Duesenberg-style front end and fenders as well as a Bijoux lubrication system. Of the four examples built, this is the only example known to survive.