1936 Pierce-Arrow Town Car Prototype Town Car

In the 1930s Pierce-Arrow was in poor shape financially, struggling like most luxury car makers. Yet they continued to update their models and introduced new ones in 1936. This car has a custom-built prototype town car body by Derham which was created by extensive modifications of a limousine with a divider window that was sent to Derham. It has been speculated that this prototype was intended to become a new 1937 model replacing the Metropolitan Town Car, but this never happened and the Metropolitan continued in 1937. Thus, this car was the only one produced making it a 'one of a kind.'

Its model 1603 chassis has a 147-inch wheelbase; a 462 cubic-inch V12 engine producing 185 horsepower; a 3-speed synchromesh transmission with overdrive and freewheeling; and vacuum-assisted power brakes. It had one of the heaviest and strongest frames of any car, and Pierce Arrow claimed that their cars were 'the safest in the world.' In spite of the new models for 1936 sales sharply declined and by 1938 the company was insolvent and liquidated.

The first recorded owner registered this car as a 1937; however, its engine number shows it is a 1936 and the second to last V-12 built that year.