Vehicle Description
For those of you unfamiliar with the Pierce-Arrow name, we'll let
you know that they were likely the finest cars built in America
throughout the teens, 20s, and 30s. There were bigger names, but
Pierce alone focused on quality above all else, and it shows.
Today, cars like this 1934 Pierce-Arrow 836A sedan remain among the
best-driving pre-war Classics and there is tangible quality in
everything you can see or touch.
The 836 was introduced in the spring of 1934, ostensibly as a
"lower cost" Pierce-Arrow, but that's like saying gold is a
lower-cost version of platinum. It's as beautifully built as
anything Pierce ever offered and with new styling inspired by the
stunning Silver Arrow show car, it was as modern as anything else
on the road. This car has had just two owners, with the second
owner purchasing it six years ago and treating it to a high-quality
restoration to return the car to its former glory. Starting with a
good original car certainly helps, and you can see just how
straight the bodywork is, how deep and glossy the paint is, and
it's just exquisitely detailed. The doors close with that legendary
solidity that few other cars can offer and sitting on a 136-inch
wheelbase, this is a mammoth car. All the chrome was refinished,
including the ornate grille, V-shaped bumpers, and archer hood
ornament, and a red pinstripe adds a rakish look to the formal
sedan. This is a very handsome machine.
The interior was reupholstered in black leather, which probably
isn't how it came (leather was considered low-cost and was reserved
for open cars that would see wet weather) but it sure looks good.
It's probably a better choice for a car that's going to be used and
toured, which is exactly what you should do with this handsome
Pierce. Beautiful gauges are arrayed in a centrally-mounted
instrument panel and monitor all the engine's vitals, plus a
bespoke clock that matches the other dials. Pierce used foot pedals
hinged at the floor, so they look and feel different than other
makes, making driving the Pierce a special experience. New carpets
were used throughout, fresh door panels were created to match the
seats, and the big steering wheel appears to have been restored.
There's plenty of stretch-out room in the cavernous back seat and
it appears that all the gauges are working properly. Even the trunk
is big enough for a week's worth of touring comfort.
The 836A used Pierce's familiar 366 cubic inch straight-8, which
made about 130 horsepower. Now that might not seem like much, but
it's the torque that really moves the car. It idles at about 400
RPM and will pull the car from barely a walking speed to 60 MPH in
high gear-try that with a modern car! Black engine enamel is
correct and most of the original hardware is intact, from the
downdraft carburetor to the Delco distributor, to the Startix
system, which automatically fires the engine should it stall. The
automatic choke was disconnected since it wasn't needed in the
warm, sunny south, but otherwise it retains all its original
equipment and runs extremely well. The 3-speed manual transmission
has synchromesh that makes shifting effortless and the 4-wheel
brakes are still mechanical but have a power assist, so you'll be
impressed with the stopping power. The chassis is original but has
no glaring needs, and the single exhaust has a muted hum that's
completely appropriate. Beautiful Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels are
painted red to add some flash and are fitted with Lester wide
whitewall tires.
This is a rare opportunity to own one of the pinnacle pre-war
automobiles at a very reasonable price. Until you've driven a
Pierce, you can't understand why they're better, but once you do,
we'll wager you won't want to go back to anything else. Call
today!