Many enthusiasts have a hankering for a pre-war classic car from one of the great brands of the 1920s and ’30s, but anything worth having tends to be too pricey for anyone who just wants a vehicle to tinker with, drive and enjoy.
Which is what make the Pick of the Day so interesting, a 1933 Pierce Arrow 1236 Brougham coupe powered by a V12 engine, in what appears to be presentable and running condition, and priced at less than six figures.
Pierce Arrow was a premium marque since the dawn of motoring, founded in 1901 in Buffalo, New York, and quickly gaining a reputation for high-quality luxury cars. While the 1236 was not one of its grandest models, it is still a lovely car with advanced features for its time, such as power brakes and an automatic choke.
The V12 is a special feature for any car, and rarely seen in a classic at this price point. The 429cid engine, rated at 160 horsepower and with a mountain of torque, could propel the coupe easily above the century mark. The engine also boasts the industry-first feature of hydraulic valve lifters.
This Pierce Arrow is also special because it has had only two owners, the second of whom is advertising the coupe on ClassicCars.com.
“This is a two-owner car and was bought from the original owner and has original sales paperwork,” the private seller says in the ad. “Always garaged since new and never driven on salted highways. Less than 5,000 miles on major overhaul, repainted to original color and all chrome was re-plated and both, paint and chrome, are in great condition.
“All original instruments except newly replaced temperature gauge. Recently serviced and runs and drives great, and ready to show and tour.”
The coupe, which the owner says is in “beautiful overall condition,” placed third at the USA National Pierce Arrow Meet, the seller says, and was “shown on front cover of Classic Car Magazine, volume XL number 3, with inside article of the restoration.”
Judging from the gallery of photos with the ad, the Pierce Arrow stands in very good condition, perhaps needing some detailing but otherwise clean and solid.
The Mesa, California, owner is asking what seems like a reasonable $97,500 for the attractive, V12-powered car with documented two-owner history.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day
I truly understand classic cars and the love and dedication it takes to bring one to life. There is one in my family with many trophies. What’s getting harder for me to see is paying $100,000.00 dollars for a beautiful car and hiding it away in a garage.
Ooh- I agree with Mr. Seals.
Had I the space for him and the time to learn all the details of a ’30’s car, I’d use this guy as a daily driver.
Life is short, and brilliant "not top of the line" cars just want to be driven. Who wouldn’t sport this guy to, say, take eldest daughter to prom/ roll wifesweetie to the theatre (not "theater"); maybe cruise CopperState with the grandkids- it’s a machine begging use. Jeez-us wept, the original big three were Packard, Peerless, and Pierce-Arrow; to drive any one of those would complete my bucket list; Pierce-Arrow had manifold advancements over the others.
Do you buy this, DRIVE him, don’t hide him.
-R
Like Jay Leno says… restore ’em to 100 point Concours condition, they drive them regularly until they’re worn down to 5 or 10 points, then restore them again!