1914 Pierce-Arrow Model 38-C Vestibule Brougham

This 1914 Pierce-Arrow Model 38-C-2 has a body style known formally as a Suburban, with a raised roofline over the rear doors and opera light creating a 'vestibule' effect.

Pat Craig acquired the car from the family of Charles Thompson of Tamworth, New Hampshire. It was then sold by Mr. Craig in 1990 to Robert J. Gottlieb of Beverly Hills, California. In Mr. Gottlieb's ownership, the Suburban was meticulously restored by the late Pierce-Arrow specialist, Eric Rosenau. After the restoration was completed, the car won Third in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1991. It remained with Mr. Gottlieb until the fall of 2004, then was acquired by the Gateway Automobile Museum.

This car retains its original cast firewall, serial number plate, original stamping on the frame, and much of its original woodwork. The body number '32' remains stamped in the wood beneath the front seats. The body is finished in a two-tone blue with pale blue striping and detailing, and even the wheel bolts are painted the same accent color. There are cable-operated front curtains in the driver's compartment with their original stamped snap fasteners, and the broadcloth and print fabric-swathed rear compartment retaining a hat net, umbrella holder, and even a small folding coat hanger. Accessories include Westinghouse hydraulic shocks (front and rear), a tubular front bumper, a Talio bulb horn operated from the driver's compartment, a Boyce Motometer, and an air pump, run off the transmission, for filling tires.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023