1934 Pierce-Arrow 1240A Twelve

Pierce-Arrow, one of the fabled 'three-Ps' of United States automotive royalty, was an outgrowth of the former George N. Pierce Company of Buffalo, New York, a one-time bicycle manufacturer and, earlier, birdcage maker. By the mid-1910s, the company had achieved a reputation and position of prominence, with the public perception driven by Pierce advertisements directed solely at the social elite and the number of examples that occupied space within the White House stable. In fact, the first official cars of the White House were two Pierce-Arrows ordered by U.S. President William Howard Taft in 1909.

Along with opulent and elegant bodies, the engines were equally impressive, displacing 7.4-liters before growing to 11.7-liters, and further increased to 13.5-liter, at the time making it by far the largest Otto engine offered in any production automobile in the world. By the close of the 1910s, Pierce-Arrow adopted a four-valve per cylinder T-head inline-six engine (Dual Valve Six) with three spark plugs per cylinder.

The Pierce-Arrow six-cylinder engine was the first to use hydraulic engine tappets, and their vehicles were pioneers in many areas of technological development, including power braking. They were one of the early manufacturers to experiment with light alloy construction, power steering, and streamlined bodywork. The Herbert M. Dawley pre-WWI designed fender treatment featured a distinctive headlamp-in-fender design that would endure for the remainder of Pierce-Arrow's existence. (Dawley would design nearly every Pierce model until 1938).

During the 1920s, Pierce-Arrow's large engines were being outclassed by a new era of lighter, more efficient engines and as the automotive industry adopted more modern production techniques, Pierce-Arrow faced great pressure. The low production and labor-intensive techniques prohibited the company to compete against modern construction methods. Pierce-Arrow responded with the introduction of the Model 80, a less complex and smaller companion model to the Dual Valve Six model line. Unfortunately, it did not provide the necessary financial assistance, resulting in an alliance with the cash-rich Studebaker Company. Though it was called a 'merger', the resulting deal was actually more of an acquisition of Pierce-Arrow by Studebaker. Pierce-Arrow gained financial stability, a larger dealer network, and resources to develop a new eight-cylinder engine.

A new engine with an L-head design emerged, replacing the large T-head Six. Although it had two extra cylinders, it weighed approximately one hundred pounds less than its predecessor and delivered 25 percent more power from a 12 percent smaller displacement. The new Model 133, named for its wheelbase, was offered in no fewer than twelve body styles. The public agreed and approximately 8,000 examples were sold in 1929.

While Pierce-Arrow entered the 1930s with strong sales, a new partnership, a new engine, and technology, the industry was accelerating at a blistering pace. The Great Depression hindered sales, but the diminished client base increased competition among luxury brands. The mighty Duesenberg became a paragon due to its unmatched horsepower rating and price tag. Cadillac introduced a sixteen-cylinder model, the most in the industry, that was soon followed by another sixteen-cylinder model by Marmon. Cadillac, Packard, Lincoln, and other marques introduced new twelve-cylinder models and modern coachwork. Pierce-Arrow responded in November of 1931 with a twelve-cylinder engine designed by chief engineer Karl Wise. The engine was used by Ab Jenkins to claim (albeit briefly) 14 official international records.

By 1934, the company offered three models powered by the eight-cylinder resting on wheelbase sizes of 136-, 139-, and 144-inches. The twelve-cylinder engine was used to power the 139-inch Model 1240A, the 144-inch Model 1250A, and the 147-inch Model 1248A. Body styles on the 1240A included a roadster, brougham, coupe, and club sedan with prices that ranged from $3,200 to $3,900. The Model 1250A was priced from $3,300 to $3,800 with body styles that included a Silver Arrow, Enclose Drive limousine, and a sedan. The long-wheelbase Model 1248A sedan had a base price of $4,300 and the Enclose Drive Limousine listed for $4,500. The 462 cubic-inch L-head twelve-cylinder engine was fitted with a two-barrel Stromberg carburetor and offered 175 horsepower. It was backed by a three-speed manual transmission and braking was handled by vacuum-assisted four-wheel mechanical drums. The suspension was comprised of semi-elliptical leaf springs in the front and rear and a live rear axle.

Despite the company's valiant efforts, just 2,152 vehicles were sold in 1933, down from 2,692 the prior year. Just 1,740 were produced in 1934 and 875 a year later. Management remained vigilant and hopeful that the economic turnaround was forthcoming. They were the only luxury brand that did not field a lower-price car to stimulate cash flow. Other companies, such as Lincoln with Ford and Cadillac with General Motors, had resources that allowed them to weather the Depression. Lacking funds for development, the Pierce-Arrow Company declared insolvency in 1938 and closed its doors. The company's remaining assets were sold at auction on May 13th of 1938.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020