Vehicle Description
In 1930, Cadillac spawned a multi-cylinder race among
manufacturers, with Packard and Lincoln quick to respond to
Cadillac's own Sixteen with their own V12 engines, and Marmon
matching Cadillac with a superb V16 of its own. Pierce-Arrow, once
one of the most storied luxury motorcar manufacturers in America,
was working hard to keep up with the rapid pace of development
among competitors. They had earned a reputation for quality that
was virtually unmatched, boasting impressive customer loyalty.
Pierce-Arrow was finally able to react to Cadillac's flagships in
1932 with the introduction of a line of V12 engines. Power output
of 150 horsepower for the larger unit was very respectable, but for
the following year, Pierce dropped that smaller engine for a 462
cubic inch unit producing a full 175 horsepower to match the output
of the benchmark Cadillac Sixteen. But the Great Depression had
been hard on Pierce Arrow, and they began to shed money at an
alarming rate. A group of New York bankers was called in to bail
out the firm, which resulted in a forced and major restructuring.
Pierce-Arrow introduced their last all-new model in 1936. The
bodies were redesigned, with styling that kept the signature
faired-in headlamps but was altogether more streamlined, sweeping
and modern. The 1936-38 cars were given a distinctive four
headlights arrangement that sets them apart from earlier models.
Mechanically, the cars were improved with an overdrive transmission
and vacuum-boosted brakes as standard equipment, with eight and
twelve cylinder engines offered. The 1936 Pierce-Arrows were among
the finest cars the company had produced, but the writing was on
the wall, and they would only build cars through the 1937 and 1938
seasons before the company was declared insolvent; its machinery,
dies and stores all tragically being scrapped a few years later for
the War effort. This magnificent 1936 Pierce-Arrow Twelve is a very
special automobile wearing one-off coachwork built by Derham Body
Company per a commission by the Pierce factory. Pierce-Arrow
generally favored Brunn for their production bodies, but Derham
Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania was likely chosen for this
flagship design because of their impeccable reputation for quality,
attention to detail and style. This unique Town Car was built with
the intention of offering it as a premier "catalog custom" for top
tier clientele, however, given the tumultuous financial state of
the firm, the body was never cataloged for the 1937 model year and
this remains the only example produced. After being shown, it was
sold by the factory to the flamboyant and wealthy Charles Cobb
Walker of Manchester, Massachusetts, one of the factory's best
customers in its later years; he bought three Pierces in 1936 and
1937, reportedly going so far as to arrange for consecutive serial
numbers. In the years following the Second World War, Walker's
estate, including the three Pierces, was sold to lumber magnate
John Grossman, who then sold our subject Derham Town Car on, where
it found several short term owners. It eventually was acquired by
Loren Holland of New York who sold it to a noted Pierce-Arrow
enthusiast Bob Sands in 1975.� Over the course of the next seven
years, this Pierce Town Car received an award-winning restoration.
In 1990, it was featured in The Classic Car, Beverly Rae Kimes's
famous book, in which Mr. Sands noted, "It drives and rides like a
Pullman car. Its looks, appointments, styling, and quality can be
best summed up as the closest an automobile can get to a palace on
wheels." The next owner was the late Roy Warshawsky, founder of the
legendary mail order auto parts company J.C. Whitney, and a highly
respected car collector. More restoration work was done by
Warshawsky before passing the car on to Oklahoma's John Groendyke,
where it was continually shown, racking up top honors from the
Antique Automobile and Classic Car Clubs of America as well as the
Pierce Arrow Society. It remains resplendent in its dark blue
livery striped in silver and with beautiful plating and fine
quality detailing. The paintwork, while older, remains very
attractive thanks to the expert attention it has received in the
hands of these famous collectors. Durham's design is superb in its
clean and elegant appeal, the unique rear roof treatment being a
notable highlight. The driver's compartment is appointed in
businesslike blue leather, with a full array of original
instruments and original controls. The rear cabin is trimmed in
wool broadcloth, with beautiful blue carpeting and luxuriously
equipped with a foot rest, jump seats, divider window, coach lamps,
and a height adjustable rear cushion. All soft trim and cabin
details remain in very fine order. Pierce Arrow's magnificent V12
engine is gorgeous to look at and runs in virtual silence, with
turbine smoothness and impressive power. Undoubtedly one of the
most significant and attractive formal-bodied Pierce-Arrows, this
fabulous and one-of-a-kind motorcar boasts a superb history and a
quality restoration with which few can compare.
