 1935 1245 Twelve |
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1936 Pierce-Arrow Salon Twelve news, pictures, and information | ||
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Beginning in 1901, Pierce-Arrow became known as the car of Presidents when William H. Taft became the first president to use an automobile for official occasions. This practice continued until the last Pierces were ordered in 1935. In 1914, Pierce-Arrow introduced its patented integral fender headlamps as an option which became the most recognized design cue for Pierce-Arrows for the rest of the company's history.
The all-new 1936 models were billed as the 'world's safest car' based on the welded and riveted frame comprised of two box side beams, five cross-members and a center x-brace. They featured 36 major improvements and according to Pierce-Arrow 'set new standards of what a fine car should like, how it should drive. The V12 chassis were available in 3 wheelbases, but only 787 cars were built.
For 1936, the V-12 engine found in the Pierce-Arrow Twelve produced 185 horsepower. It had three wheelbase sizes that measured 139-, 144-, and 147-inches. Pierce-Arrow was one of the most recognized and respected names in the automobile industry and for 38 years (1901 - 1938) the company produced some of the finest automobiles made. The cars they produced were large, beautiful, and expensive. For over two decades, Pierce-Arrow supplied cars to the White House for presidential use. They also supplied cars to royal families of Japan, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Belgium.
This 44,000 original-mile limousine was once owned by the Huntington family, who were owners of a railroad and railway empire.
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This 1936 Pierce-Arrow Model 1601 Club Sedan is powered by an eight-cylinder engine delivering 185 horsepower. It sold for the sum of $3,795 when new.
Pierce-Arrows were stately vehicles that commanded admiration and respect and had a price tag to match. The individuals who bought the most elite Pierce-Arrows were individuals that were high on the social ladder and cost was not an issue. The Pierce-Arrow catered to every demand and request, even keeping special colors on hand for important families and only using those colors for those vehicles and non-others. Most of the vehicle was custom, including the carpets, luggage, trunks, and seats. The Pierce-Arrows were more than just a custom and exclusive automobile, they were also known for their quality, reliability, performance, and sophistication.
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 their 16-cylinder engine in 1929, Pierce-Arrow knew they had to improve their 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
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe 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 their 16-cylinder engine in 1929, Pierce-Arrow knew they had to improve their 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
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 1936
Pierce-Arrow
models |
| Pierce Arrow Deluxe 8 | 1936 Pierce-Arrow Concepts |
| Pierce Arrow Town Car Prototype |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1936 |
| Stout Scarab ($5,000-$5,000) |
| Lincoln Model K Series 300 ($4,205-$6,800) |
| Packard Model 1404 Super Eight ($2,900-$5,820) |
| Packard Twelve ($3,800-$6,400) |
Average Auction Sale: $52,800 |
| Pierce-Arrow: 1931-1940 |
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| 38 | Model 36 | Model 43 | Model 48 | Model 66 | Model 80/81 | Series 33 | Twelve |
| 1935 1245 Twelve |
