1936 Pierce-Arrow Model 1245 Convertible Coupe and Curtiss Aerocar Trailer

462ci L-Head V-12 Engine
Two Stromberg Carburetors
175bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs with Solid Front and Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Single family ownership from new
*California-owned all of its life
*Unique Pairing of High-Quality Automobile and Luxury Touring Trailer
*Ideal Museum Feature Illustrating Its Era

THE PIERCE-ARROW TWELVE

Pierce-Arrow was one of America's most famous automakers for the first four decades of the Twentieth Century. It was famed for the masterful engineering of its cars, which while typically conservative were always extremely well-thought-out, dependable, and silky-smooth in operation, with only the finest materials used throughout. The company's signature were the "Dawley lights," the industry's first production fender-mounted headlights, named for designer Herbert Dawley.

When Pierce joined the multicylinder wars of the Classic Era in 1932 with its new Twelve, it debuted, in typical fashion, one of the very finest automotive engines of the era. Designed by Karl M. Wise, the Pierce V-12 was an 80-degree L-head design, that proved robust, smooth, and quiet – as well as an exceptional performer. It would be the centerpiece of the Pierce line through the end of the company's lifetime in 1938. In modified form, the engine set numerous speed and endurance records, and it powered the fabled streamlined Silver Arrow show cars.

Among the body designs offered by Pierce in this period were a number of formal variations, which despite their weight were easily propelled by their V12 powerplant, more sporting cars were few and far between. It is thought that literally only a handful of these beautiful convertible coupes were delivered, they represent the peak of design in this period and for their day are extremely modern, with fully welded sheet metal (no welting), aerodynamic design and looks, they also feature interestingly advanced details such as the gas cap in the rear fender.

CURTISS-AEROCAR TRAILERS

A trip to the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York provides all the education that you could ever need about the fascinating career of Glenn Curtiss, of his invention, his struggles for his achievements to be recognized and at the same time the knowledge that ultimately his persistence paid off with successes in almost any direction that pointed himself.

To begin with that was in motorcycles and later, so famously in aviation, but alongside those chapters and the interesting displays in Hammondsport, one will also learn of the Aerocar trailers that his companies built in the 1920s and 1930s, and example of which is presented here. As one might expect it employs much of the technology gained from aviation, and even resembles a fuselage. That exterior is clothed in a rexine-type fabric material, while its interior comprises an ingenious arrangement of living quarters including kitchen/bathroom and living room.

THE CAR AND TRAILER OFFERED

The collaboration here represents the high-end of options in both their fields, Pierce's top of the line V12 in its most sporting form and the 1930s equivalent of a luxury RV, the Model C22-2B Aerocar. Remarkably, they have been together all of their lives, in single family ownership just above the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The caretaking family is directly linked to Rindges, Frederick and Rhoda May Rindge, who at one time owned a huge amount of 'Malibu Rancho'. Their daughter, Rhoda Agatha marrying into the Adamson family in 1915. Rhoda Adamson was the co-founder of the hugely successful dairy and farms business Adohr Farms, taking its name as an anagram of her and her mother's. As part of their noted legacy, ultimately, the family would donate land to Pepperdine, so that they could move their campus there.

It was the Aerocar that arrived first, we understand, being delivered to Merritt Adamson Sr. in 1933. Mr. Adamson also owned a V12 Convertible Sedan at this point, that same car today being in the Nethercutt Collection, but it was a Dodge Sedan which was used to pull the Aerocar. Only the Dodge proved to be unreliable and so it was determined that another V12 Pierce might be the answer. The car they chose in 1935, was the Convertible Coupe we see here today, which they cleverly lightly modified in order to pull the trailer. In place of the rumble seat sits a fixed frame which uses a period cast aircraft wheel that floats within it and uses the tire as a damper for the hook-up to the trailer. A vacuum operated brake system runs from the car to connect to the trailer and there was a valance with snaps to tidy up the join of the 'fifth' wheel.

This new set-up turned out to be far more successful, and the combination remained together for life! In the trailer there was even a telephone rigged up so that Merritt Sr. could communicate with the driver while he rode in the back with his buddies! (Although this is no longer present). Within the trailer is its compact kitchen, a fold down bed and while at first it seems that there are no bathroom facilities, to the keen eye it can be seen that some sort of shower could be set up in the kitchen area, with a drain off panel on the floor. How long these remained in use is not recalled, but at a certain point both were parked in separate buildings on their farm properties.

In 1975, noted Pierce enthusiast and restorer Bill Lawton was alerted to the combination and commenced a refurbishment of the 1245, which was finished in time for Merritt Adamson Jr's birthday in 1982. That restoration was clearly carried out to a very high standard befitting to the marque and today has mellowed a little but is nonetheless in tidy order. The trailer was never restored and remains original. For its age, its condition is certainly impressive, but it would most probably need sympathetic refurbishment to return to use, and sadly in very recent times 18-24 months of outdoor storage has seen the silver fabric top torn. In addition to the set of wheels it currently rides on, all of which (including the trailer ones being Pierce V12 ones), there is a separate set of 8 heavy duty wheels used in period.

A true statement of a bygone age, this fascinating pairing of 1930s luxury conveyances are one of very few to survive, and surely the last to remain within its original custody from new.