Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 139
1935 Pierce-Arrow Model 1245 Sedan Chassis no. 3120071
Sold for US$30,800 inc. premium
Lot 139
1935 Pierce-Arrow Model 1245 Sedan
1935 Pierce-Arrow Model 1245 Sedan
Chassis no. 3120071
Chassis no. 3120071
462ci L-Head V12 Engine
Twin Carburetors
175bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Leaf Sprung Front and Rear Suspension
4-wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
*Wonderfully Preserved
*Tremendous V12 power
*Documentation of mechanical work on file
*Perfect tour car
PIERCE-ARROW
Based in Buffalo, New York State, Pierce built birdcages, ice boxes and bicycles before introducing its first petrol-driven automobile in 1901. (The Pierce-Arrow name was first used in 1904). In 1908 the firm became the Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company and soon switched its attention exclusively to the production of luxury cars, pioneering many technological developments, including servo-assisted braking and hydraulic tappets, while building some of the most prestigious motor cars ever to grace America's highways.
Some idea of the rapidity of Pierce-Arrow's rise may be gauged from the fact that as early as 1909 The White House ordered two for state occasions. From then onwards Pierce-Arrow would be synonymous with the ultimate in motoring luxury, ranking alongside Cadillac, Packard and Rolls-Royce. Clinging to traditional styling and handicapped by a range of sixes in an increasingly multi-cylinder marketplace, Pierce-Arrow saw its sales decline throughout the 1920s. In 1928 an alliance was forged with Studebaker, which viewed Pierce-Arrow's acquisition as a means of gaining entry to the luxury car market. A new range of straight eights - already under development before Studebaker's arrival - was introduced and sales doubled in 1929. A V12 was added in November 1931 but both Pierce-Arrow and Studebaker were finding life tough in the post-Wall Street Crash years. When the latter filed for bankruptcy in 1933, Pierce-Arrow found itself independent once again. Despite the critical acclaim lavished on its futuristic 'Silver Arrow' show car – five of which were sold costing $10,000 each – the firm was severely handicapped by the lack of a lower-price range. Sales dwindled throughout the 1930s and the once-great Pierce-Arrow folded in 1938.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Believed to have spent most of its life in Columbus, Ohio, according to the consigner, this sizable Pierce-Arrow remains in largely original condition to this day. Most notably, the paint and interior trimmings both appear to have been unmolested through the years and appear to be as they were from the factory. That being said, the car has faded somewhat cosementically, but a great deal of money was spent where it counts, and the car is reported to be a fine driving example. Supporting this claim, the car was toured with the Pierce Society and the CCCA.
Ready for more tours, this delightfully well preserved Pierce will make a fine addition to any collection.
Saleroom notices
Please note, the title for this vehicle will be in transit.
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