conceptcarz.com

Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Twelve Club Sedan

  • Chassis Number: 2075088
  • Engine Number: 335259
Pierce-Arrow was one of the 'Three Ps', along with Packard and Peerless. From 1910 through 1928 their vehicles had been powered by T-head sixes. In 1929, a straight-eight replaced the sixes and featured a less complicated and less expensive L-head configuration. The public reacted positively and sales doubled over the prior year. As the Great Depression came into view, the cylinder war between the auto manufacturers continued to grow, with twelve- and sixteen-cylinders dominating the battlefield.

Pierce-Arrow's chief engineer, Karl Wise, was tasked with keeping the company relevant by designing a new V-12 engine. The new powerplant was given an unusual 80-degree angle between the cylinder banks and a cast iron crankcase to which the cylinder blocks were bolted (many of the competing automakers used aluminum). The wide vee angle offered easy access to the valve train and it aided in minimizing vibration. The new engine made its debut in late 1931 for the 1932 model year.

Hydraulic tappets were introduced in 1933. The famous endurance driver Ab Jenkins was working for Pierce-Arrow during this time as an experimental engineer and test driver. He raised the prestige of the company and promoted their product by driving a twelve-cylinder roadster for 24 hours, averaging 112.91 miles per hour. Similar runs were made later that year. In 1934, a new record, internationally recognized by the FIA in Paris, was set at an average speed of 127.

With a quality product, a solid reputation, and endurance records to its name, the Pierce-Arrow marque was poised for greatness. Unfortunately, the effects of the Great Depression were too profound. In 1937, just 167 cars were sold. In May of 1938, the company assets were liquidated at auction. The V-12 engine production would endure; it was used in Seagrave fire apparatus until 1970.

This Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 wears a Club Sedan body. It was restored in the early 2000s and is believed to be a California car from new. After the restoration work was completed, it was shown at several California Concours d'Elegance events. The current owner acquired the car in 2010.

In 2012 the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge Sale in Carmel, CA presented by Bonhams. The car was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $125,000. As bidding came to a close, the car failed to find a buyer willing to satisfy its reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012

2012 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Sale

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $100,000-USD $125,000 
Lot was not sold

Recent Sales of the Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Twelve

(Data based on Model Year 1933 sales)
1933 Pierce-Arrow Twelve Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2075278
Sold for USD$286,000
  2007 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona
 

Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Twelves That Failed To Sell At Auction

1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Twelve's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1933 Pierce Arrow 1236 Club Sedan$105,0002015 Dragone Auction Fall $105,000$125,000
1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Club Sedan20750882012 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale $100,000$125,000

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $286,000 range.
2017 Dodge Viper ACR
Chassis#:1C3BDECZ0HV500702
Sold for $285,500
2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#:30867S118741
Sold for $288,200
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1966 SHELBY GT350
Chassis#:SFM6S2116
Sold for $286,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1970 PLYMOUTH SUPERBIRD
Chassis#:RM23U0A167139
Sold for $286,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1970 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429
Chassis#:0F02Z127597
Sold for $286,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Chassis#:2c3cdzh99jh102360
Sold for $286,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback
Chassis#:0f02z126292
Sold for $286,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback
Chassis#:0f02z124193
Sold for $286,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro
Chassis#:124379n614075
Sold for $286,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1970 Shelby GT500 Convertible
Chassis#:0f03r482704
Sold for $286,000
2023 Mecum : Kansas City
1994 Nissan Skyline GT-R 'JGTCC-GT1' by Hasemi Motorsport
Chassis#:BNR32-221613R
Sold for $284,685
2023 RM Sothebys : London
1908 Stanley Model F Side-Entrance Touring
Chassis#:3923
Sold for $286,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Twelve vehicle thumbnail image  1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Twelve vehicle thumbnail image  
2020 LAMBORGHINI HURACAN LP640-4 EVO
Chassis#:ZHWUF4ZF3LLA13952
Sold for $286,000
2023 Barrett-Jackson : New Orleans
1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE CUSTOM COUPE
Chassis#:136177A147976
Sold for $286,000
2023 Barrett-Jackson : New Orleans
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe
Chassis#:30837s103235
Sold for $286,000
2023 Mecum : Dallas
1963 Chevrolet Corvette 'Fuel-Injected' 'Split-Window' Coupe
Sold for $285,500
2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
1927 BENTLEY 3 LITRE SPEED MODEL SPORTS TOURER
Chassis#:AX1673
Sold for $285,206
2023 Gooding & Company : London Auction
1970 FERRARI 365 GT 2+2
Chassis#:12521
Sold for $285,500
2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Slantnose Coupe
Chassis#:WP0JB0934HS051464
Sold for $285,000
2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1964 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster
Chassis#:881715
Sold for $285,500
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey

1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1236 Twelve Vehicle Profiles