Pierce Arrow Twelve
1936 Pierce-Arrow Twelve
Original Price: $3,695 - $5,795
Average Auction Sale: $71,113
Median Auction Sale: $49,225
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,695 - $5,795
Average Auction Sale: $71,113
Median Auction Sale: $49,225
Chassis Profiles
1935 Pierce-Arrow 1245 Twelve
Original Price: $3,195 - $3,895
Average Auction Sale: $159,500
Median Auction Sale: $198,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,195 - $3,895
Average Auction Sale: $159,500
Median Auction Sale: $198,000
Chassis Profiles
1934 Pierce-Arrow 1240A Twelve
Original Price: $3,255 - $5,400
Average Auction Sale: $165,000
Median Auction Sale: $165,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,255 - $5,400
Average Auction Sale: $165,000
Median Auction Sale: $165,000
Chassis Profiles
1934 Pierce-Arrow Model 1248 Custom Twelve
Produced: 90
Original Price: $4,295 - $4,495
Average Auction Sale: $43,250
Median Auction Sale: $43,250
Chassis Profiles
Produced: 90
Original Price: $4,295 - $4,495
Average Auction Sale: $43,250
Median Auction Sale: $43,250
Chassis Profiles
1934 Pierce-Arrow Model 1250A
Original Price: $3,295 - $3,750
Average Auction Sale: $172,425
Median Auction Sale: $165,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,295 - $3,750
Average Auction Sale: $172,425
Median Auction Sale: $165,000
Chassis Profiles
1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1242 Twelve
Original Price: $3,796 - $4,365
Average Auction Sale: $311,667
Median Auction Sale: $319,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,796 - $4,365
Average Auction Sale: $311,667
Median Auction Sale: $319,000
Chassis Profiles
1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Twelve
Original Price: $2,805 - $3,503
Average Auction Sale: $286,000
Median Auction Sale: $286,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $2,805 - $3,503
Average Auction Sale: $286,000
Median Auction Sale: $286,000
Chassis Profiles
1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1247
Original Price: $4,250 - $7,200
Average Auction Sale: $461,875
Median Auction Sale: $426,250
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $4,250 - $7,200
Average Auction Sale: $461,875
Median Auction Sale: $426,250
Chassis Profiles
1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 53
Original Price: $3,700 - $4,309
Average Auction Sale: $202,488
Median Auction Sale: $153,750
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $3,700 - $4,309
Average Auction Sale: $202,488
Median Auction Sale: $153,750
Chassis Profiles
1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 51
Original Price: $5,300 - $7,300
Average Auction Sale: $148,500
Median Auction Sale: $148,500
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,300 - $7,300
Average Auction Sale: $148,500
Median Auction Sale: $148,500
Chassis Profiles
The slow demise of the Pierce-Arrow Company began when other marques moved away from custom-built automobiles to production lines. The mass-produced vehicles raised the bar on quality and dependability. Though they could not guarantee exclusivity, they could guarantee a better product at a better price. When Cadillac introduced its 16-cylinder engine in 1929, Pierce-Arrow knew it had to improve its 12-cylinder engine to stay competitive. The Twelve was introduced in 1932 and came equipped with a 452 cubic-inch engine capable of producing 150 horsepower, just slightly below the output of the V16. By 1933, Pierce-Arrow had raised the output of their engine to 175 and the public approved, buying many examples and setting new sales records for Pierce.
1932 was a great year for the Pierce-Arrow Twelve. Ab Jenkins drove a 33,000-mile prototype to the salt flats of Bonneville. he set several records and then drove 2000 miles back to Buffalo. He returned the following year and set nearly 80 new records.
Unfortunately, the Great Depression was taking its toll on the company. Negotiations to merge with Auburn and Reo failed and Pierce-Arrow entered into bankruptcy. Buffalo business rescued the failing company, raised money, and cut the work staff by half. Sales improved for a short while but not enough to sustain the company. In 1937 the company closed its doors forever.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
Pierce-Arrow
Pierce-Arrow Models