1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 53 Touring Sedan

This Pierce-Arrow is a 1932 Model 30 Touring Sedan powered by a twelve-cylinder engine. It has dual side-mounted tires, both are enclosed, and a rear trunk for carrying cargo. This car is in excellent condition with a very attractive two-tone paint scheme. There are white wall tires which adds to the allure of the vehicle. It is seen here at the 2007 Eastern Concours of the United States. It returned two years later for the 20th Anniversary of the event.

A Pierce-Arrow 1932 12-cylinder Model 53 chassis, identical to this car, won the 24-Hour World Land Speed Record at the Bonneville Salt Flats with an average speed of 127 mph for 27 hours (stock). The driver was Ab Jenkins, 'The Mormon Meteor,' who was later Mayor of Salt Lake City. Jenkins drove the entire 27 hours without a co-driver. He used a 1934 supercharged Duesenberg race car in 1934 to add only 5 mph to his Pierce-Arrow record.

This car was restored entirely 20 years ago by Eddie Cobb of Ohio on behalf of Tom Welch of Cambridge. Only 286 12-cylinder chassis were built in 1932. This car was awarded the Vandeveer Trophy, the preeminent trophy given each year by the Pierce-Arrow society.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010