History
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 its 16-cylinder engine in 1929, Pierce-Arrow knew it had to improve its 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
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 its 16-cylinder engine in 1929, Pierce-Arrow knew it had to improve its 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
Similar Automakers
Similarly Priced Vehicles
1934 Pierce-Arrow Model 1248 Custom Twelve Vehicle Profiles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
Price Comparison
$2,555 - $2,775
$2,805 - $5,005
$3,255 - $5,400
$3,295 - $3,750
Twelve Specification Comparison by Year
Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
Related Automotive News
BARRETT-JACKSON'S 43RD ANNUAL SCOTTSDALE AUCTION PROVES TO BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN COMPANY HISTORY, EXCEEDING $113 MILLION
Barrett-Jackson Hosted Top-Tier Celebrities, Auto Legends, Auctioned the Worlds Most Sought-After Blue Chip Vehicles, Awarded Two Guinness World Records and Set World Records for Rare Corvettes and Thunderbird
HIGHLIGHTS
1399 car...
NATALIE WOOD'S 300 SL ROADSTER JOINS STUNNING LIST OF ENTRIES FOR RM'S AMELIA ISLAND SALE
RM Auctions announces additional highlights for its 16th annual Amelia Island sale, held March 8th at the Ritz-Carlton
Recent entries are led by a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster that was originally owned by Hollywood actress Natalie Wood
As...
BARRETT-JACKSON'S SCOTTSDALE 2014 SALON COLLECTION TO OFFER DIVERSE DOCKET OF WORLD'S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER COLLECTIBLES
Rare and Desirable Vehicles Plus One Fully-Operational Carousel Will Cross the Auction Block at Companys Monumental Scottsdale Auction, Jan. 12-19, 2014
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (Dec. 18, 2013) – Barrett-Jackson, The Worlds Greatest Collector...
BARRETT-JACKSON'S SCOTTSDALE 2014 SALON COLLECTION TO OFFER DIVERSE DOCKET OF WORLD'S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER COLLECTIBLES
Rare and Desirable Vehicles Plus One Fully-Operational Carousel Will Cross the Auction Block at Companys Monumental Scottsdale Auction, Jan. 12-19, 2014
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (Dec. 18, 2013) – Barrett-Jackson, The Worlds Greatest Collector...
Gooding & Company Celebrates 10th Anniversary as Global Appreciation of Cars Push Markets to New High in 2013
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 11, 2013) – The mystique of collectable cars continues to expand enthusiasm and buyer participation around the globe. In 2013, Gooding %26 Company, the auction house acclaimed for selling the worlds most significant...