Vehicle Description
From George Pierce's first single-cylinder Motorette in 1901 to the
final twelve-cylinder car built for engineer Karl Wise in 1938,
Pierce-Arrow stood proudly for quality, craftsmanship, and luxury.
Along with Packard and Peerless, the Buffalo, New York firm build
America's finest luxury motorcars, earning a loyal clientele along
the way. Despite the impeccable reputation, Pierce-Arrow, like many
of its high-end contemporaries, struggled with limited dealer
network and challenging economic conditions. Also, a takeover by
bankers after World War I saw Pierce-Arrow slow to respond to
buyer's wishes, and their products soon became stale and dated.
Help arrived in 1928 when Pierce Arrow's president met with Albert
Erskine of Studebaker in order to negotiate a merger. The
partnership allowed Pierce-Arrow to operate independently, and it
gave them the cash necessary to finally introduce their
long-overdue L-Head inline eight-cylinder engine as well as vastly
expand their dealer network. In 1931, chief engineer Karl Wise
unveiled his entry into the hotly-contested multi-cylinder race
happening in America - a pair of V12 engines of 398 or 429 cubic
inches. Unfortunately, the partnership between Studebaker and
Pierce-Arrow was short-lived, as Studebaker fell into receivership
in 1933 and Pierce was cut loose, again left to struggle as an
independent in the midst of the Great Depression. Desperate to
survive and to shake their conservative image, Pierce-Arrow
management hired Phil Write as a consultant to design a new
flagship that would show the world of what Pierce was capable of
and the resulting twelve-cylinder Silver Arrow was a streamlined
sensation. It made its grand debut at the 1933 New York Auto Show
with the slogan "Suddenly it's 1940!" The sensational machine
featured fully enveloped front fenders, no running boards, and a
distinct fastback roof treatment with a triangular rear window
opening. The design was a marvel; however, the shocking $10,000
price tag kept even the wealthiest customers away during the
austere early 1930s. Only five were built, although the highly
advanced styling went on to influence Pierce-Arrow's regular
production cars later in the decade, and the Silver Arrow name
appeared on a flagship coupe which drew heavily from the Phil
Write-penned original. This Pierce-Arrow 1245 Silver Arrow is one
of only 875 cars produced in total by the company in 1935. It is
one of only two known surviving twelve-cylinder Silver Arrow coupes
out of an estimated four units originally built. This exceptional
motorcar features an award-winning restoration, commissioned in the
1990s by Los Angeles based collector Harris Laskey. Finished in a
striking yet understated two-tone maroon color scheme, this rare
and breathtaking Silver Arrow remains in excellent condition,
coming most recently from an extensive collection of significant
automobiles. Finish quality on the factory coachwork is expectedly
high, and the detailing is superb. The color scheme cleverly plays
with the shapes and lines of the body, subtly highlighting the
fastback shape. Accessories are kept to a minimum, with dual
side-mount spare wheels, an Archer mascot, and twin chrome trumpet
horns topped with driving lamps. The tall, canted-back radiator and
unique fender-mounted headlights are distinct Pierce-Arrow
characteristics. The Silver Arrow is a grand and imposing car,
riding on a 144-inch wheelbase and standing over six feet tall at
the roof. However, the styling does a marvelous job of masking the
scale and even giving the car a sporting spirit. Beige steel
artillery wheels with wide whitewall tires provide a well-judged
contrast. Inside, light brown broadcloth covers the large, softly
sprung front seats, door panels, and the generous rear seats.
Darker brown carpets and gorgeous woodwork provide a pleasing
contrast to the seat upholstery. The quality and presentation are
excellent and in keeping with the high standard set by the
exterior. While it is a two-door coupe, the tall roofline and long
wheelbase make for generous accommodations inside. The luxurious
appointment includes opening rear windows, individual front seats,
and a factory-equipped radio. The big 462 cubic-inch V12 engine
presents in good order, with slight mellowing since its meticulous
restoration. The black enamel finish is in good condition, with
some moderate cracking and "baking off" of the paint in places due
to regular use and heat cycles. The presentation is otherwise tidy,
with correct hardware, clamps, and fittings used throughout the
engine bay. It runs with the smoothness and refinement expected of
a multi-cylinder engine of the era. At an impressive 175
horsepower, Pierce's V12 matched Cadillac's complex and expensive
V16 for output, giving even a large car like the model 1245 very
respectable performance. The engine is paired with a three-speed
manual transmission, with optional freewheeling. Since the
restoration was completed, this rare Silver Arrow appeared in
numerous prestigious events. It is a CCCA National First Prize
winner, it appeared at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and it
won its class at the 1999 Palo Verdes Concours, and was awarded
"Most Elegant" at the Silverado Concours d'Elegance. This Pierce
remains in beautiful cosmetic condition and is ready to be enjoyed
on CCCA CARavan tours, or with groups such as the AACA or the
Pierce-Arrow Society. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of
just two known survivors of Pierce-Arrow's most stylish and
powerful offering from 1935.