Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 34258
Engine No. 34258
Body No. 38-S-32
The car offered here is the sole surviving example of this
impressive style, known formally as a Suburban, on the 1914
Pierce-Arrow Model 38-C-2 chassis. Its cast aluminum coachwork
borrows styling touches from the fine townhomes of the day, with a
raised roofline over the rear doors and opera light creating a
"vestibule" effect. In typical Pierce fashion, the body is actually
quite ornate in its construction, with the shape of the body panels
and windows more complicated than they appear upon first
examination.
Noted and prolific Pierce-Arrow enthusiast Pat Craig acquired the
car from the family of Charles Thompson, a collector and restorer
of Pierces in Tamworth, New Hampshire. The Suburban was then sold
by Mr. Craig in 1990 to Robert J. Gottlieb of Beverly Hills,
California. Mr. Gottlieb is best remembered in the car world as a
passionate enthusiast of interesting automobiles. He left a lasting
legacy as the longtime "Classic Comments" correspondent for Motor
Trend magazine, reporting in each issue on a different vintage car
- and, it is often argued, being the first in the process to apply
the word "classic" to an automobile.
In Mr. Gottlieb's ownership the Suburban was meticulously restored
by the late Pierce-Arrow specialist, Eric Rosenau, known for his
many excellent restorations of examples of the marque. Detailed
correspondence and some invoices from this work are included in the
file. Following completion of the restoration, 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.
Obviously a wonderful original car prior to restoration, the car
retains its original cast firewall, as well as not only the
expected serial number plate but the original stamping on the frame
and much of its original woodwork, with the body number "32" still
stamped in the wood beneath the front seats. In fact, all
indication is that minimal actual restoration work was required
under the hood where all appears correct and tidy, with its twin
magneto and spark box ignition and Rayfield G4P carburetor.
The body is finished in a rich two-tone blue with pale blue
striping and detailing; marvelous attention to fine features
extends to the wheel bolts being painted the same accent color!
Again, authenticity reigns, with the cable-operated front curtains
in the driver's compartment still having their original stamped
snap fasteners, and the broadcloth and print fabric-swathed rear
compartment retaining the delicate touches of a hat net, umbrella
holder, and even a small folding coat hanger. Accessories include
Westinghouse hydraulic shocks, both front and rear, as well as a
tubular front bumper, a Talio bulb horn operated from the driver's
compartment, Boyce Motometer, and an air pump, run off the
transmission, for filling tires. Full electric lighting is found
throughout.
Surely one of the finest surviving examples of the Brass formal
Pierce, this car has an utterly imposing bearing, and superb
quality of engineering and finish visible in every nut and
bolt.
Addendum & Administrative Notes
Please note that this lot is titled as Model Year 1913.
Collection Guarantee Disclosure
Please note that as part of a larger collection to be offered at
live and online auctions, the Consignor of the Gateway Collection
has been guaranteed a minimum price for certain cars, including
this Lot, by Broad Arrow. Depending on the final Hammer Price
obtained for those Lots, Broad Arrow may benefit financially.
