1933 Pierce Arrow 12 Show Car

[alsancle]

Perhaps Ed or George know more of  the history?

 

https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6852-1933-pierce-arrow-twelve-daytona-phaeton/

1933 Pierce Arrow Twelve Daytona Phaeton 299k

From George Pierce’s first single-cylinder Motorette in 1901 to the final twelve-cylinder chassis 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 produced some of America’s finest luxury motorcars. Despite an impeccable reputation for quality, Pierce-Arrow often struggled with financial instability and a limited dealer network. After a takeover by bankers in the wake of World War I, Pierce-Arrow was 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 to negotiate a merger. The partnership allowed Pierce-Arrow to operate independently while taking advantage of Studebaker’s dealer network and injecting much-needed cash required to introduce their long-overdue L-Head eight-cylinder engine. That marvelous engine boosted sales, at least for a short time. In 1931, chief engineer Karl Wise proudly unveiled a pair of V12 engines of 398 and 429 cubic inches, designed to take on Packard and Cadillac in the multi-cylinder race. Unfortunately, the partnership between Studebaker and Pierce-Arrow faltered, as Studebaker fell into receivership in 1933. Pierce was cut loose and once again faced with the struggle of surviving as an independent manufacturer. Despite a valiant attempt to shake their conservative image, with the sensational twelve-cylinder 1933 Silver Arrow, the car’s equally sensational $10,000 price tag Pierce-Arrow meant just five were produced. Despite the ground-breaking design, The Silver Arrow did little to slow Pierce-Arrow’s precipitous slide toward bankruptcy, and the company folded for good in 1938.

 

This distinctive and stylish 1933 Pierce-Arrow is one of the highlights of the Kleptz Collection. Known as the Daytona Phaeton, it has a fascinating link to the Silver Arrow show car. Frank believed this is a one-off creation commissioned by the factory as a standby show car should the Silver Arrow fail to meet its completion date. The distinctive body is believed to be by LeBaron, and it rides on a top-line 1247 chassis, with an extraordinary 147-inch wheelbase and a 462 cubic-inch, 175-horsepower V12 engine. The coachwork looks as though it started life as a closed design, with its distinct dipped beltline after the cowl. Distinguishing features include the sizeable integrated trunk and stylish, phaeton-style canvas roof. Photographs of the car from the late 1950s show it wearing this body and in tired but complete condition, lending real credibility to the story.

 

Before joining the Kleptz collection in the 1980s, the Pierce was in the stewardship of George Slankard, a highly respected Pierce-Arrow expert and founder of Cars & Parts magazine. The restoration was handled by the great Bill Spoerle, who came to the US from Germany to work for the legendary Indy-based car builder Floyd “Pops” Dreyer before going on to a storied career as the head of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum’s restoration department. Bill was one of the most respected restorers in the country, and his work has won countless prestigious awards.

 

Today, this mighty Pierce-Arrow remains as striking as ever, with a unique blend of elegance and sporting purpose. The restoration has aged gracefully, and the car looks beautiful in its burgundy livery with bright red accents and gold coach lines. Typical of Pierce-Arrows of this period, it rides on steel artillery wheels, which have unique chrome center spokes with red-painted rims and hubs. Fresh Firestone whitewall tires punctuate the show-car looks to great effect. Aside from the chrome trumpet horns, Archer mascot, and twin side-mount spares, the body is relatively unadorned and free of clutter – a signature of many great LeBaron designs.

 

The Pierce-Arrow Daytona Phaeton is a full four-passenger car with generous accommodations in the front and rear. Rich burgundy leather complements the exterior paintwork, while the splash of bright red carpeting mirrors the effect of the wheels. Beautifully restored instruments and woodgrain work remain in excellent order, showing only a slight patina from age.

 

Pierce-Arrow may have been late to the multi-cylinder race in the 1930s, but their superb L-head engine was well worth the wait. The 462 cubic-inch V12 produced 175 horsepower, matching the sensational Cadillac V16’s output and doing so with far less complexity and cost. It is truly one of the finest American engines of its time and should have elevated Pierce-Arrow back to the pinnacle of the luxury market. As a testament to Bill Spoerle’s restoration, the mighty twelve was easily awakened, and following a basic fluid service and adjustment, it runs beautifully, and operates in virtual silence, with turbine-like smoothness.

 

While taking in this marvelous Pierce-Arrow’s imposing scale and exquisite details, it is easy to see why it held a place of pride in Frank Kleptz’s collection. It takes an exceptional automobile to stand out from this impressive lot, and the Pierce-Arrow Phaeton is undoubtedly a shining star.

[trimacar]

Hee-hee-hee, I know what Ed will say.....I think I’ll be mostly quiet and just say, isn’t that car just dreamy?

 

[edinmass]

🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭

[58L-Y8]

I recall seeing photos of this 1933 Pierce-Arrow in Cars & Parts magazine in the 1970's when George Slankard was the publisher.  By 1933, the two door phaeton body style was rather archaic, spoke more of the late 1920's, think of the 1928 Chrysler Imperial 80 Touralette by Locke or a Stutz Black Hawk Series BB four passenger Speedster by Millspaugh & Irish.  Heck, Even Ford quit their Model A two door Deluxe Phaeton after 1931.  

[edinmass]

“In 1933 the two door phaeton was rather archaic.” Yup, not only was it archaic it did t even exist!😂

[Grimy]

The Bernie Weis recension tables list this car as a convertible victoria with LeBaron body no. 157-A-6, and have only Kleptz and Slankard as owners of record.  According to those files it has engine no. 355113 which replaced 355105; serial (chassis) number is reported as missing--which is not uncommon.  The 355nnn indicates the larger V-12 as installed in the 147" wheelbase.

 

I don't know the car.  @edinmass, was this a transfer of a slightly earlier body to a 1933 chassis?  In-period or later?  Or was it built that way for some wealthy eccentric like your own wonderful self?

[edinmass]

There are two cars that are 1933 V-12’s that were owned by Slankard. One was a LeBaron V-12 Conv Victoria that is a left over 31 body placed on a 1933 chassis with the numbers you posted, just like my 1933 LeBaron EDL. The other car that is currently for sale was owned by George also, he sold it when he bought the LeBaron Victoria .(Back in the 70’s.) Thus there are two “open” cars associated with George S. The LeBaron Victoria is still in the family, as George recently passed away in his late 90’s. Now, as to build history on the current car for sale, read the listing, it’s clear what it is. The car for sale has been out of the spotlight for a LONG time..............

Edited March 14, 2021 by edinmass (see edit history)

[Grimy]

I read the listing again, Ed.  You are speaking in parables (again), so you will have to tell me the real story when you buy me libations at Pebble.

[Matt Harwood]

There's that part in the description about it being a cut-down closed car, but it's kind of vague about whether it was done in-period. I'm betting not, especially if there's no record or photos of it.

[Cadillac Fan]

If it were mine it would be named : JLo.  

[edinmass]

11 minutes ago, Matt Harwood said:

There's that part in the description about it being a cut-down closed car, but it's kind of vague about whether it was done in-period. I'm betting not, especially if there's no record or photos of it.

 

I sure wish Paul Harvey was here.........because he and I both know “The rest of the story.” Just like the Kori Speedster..............a small number of people know where the bodies are buried........and built.
 

 

[edinmass]

21 minutes ago, Grimy said:

I read the listing again, Ed.  You are speaking in parables (again), so you will have to tell me the real story when you buy me libations at Pebble.

I also speak in tongues............usually it’s about Packards! Why is it when I talk to god, I’m praying, but when he talks to me I’m psychotic. 

[BobinVirginia]

32 minutes ago, Grimy said:

I read the listing again, Ed.  You are speaking in parables (again), so you will have to tell me the real story when you buy me libations at Pebble.

I’d like to hear this conversation! I’m always impressed hearing or reading what you guys know! I might even buy some libations for you both!!! 

[edinmass]

When George and a I get together the bullshit flies! A bottle of Cabernet in his garage in Oakland looking over the gynecology equipment and the radio active enema bottle sure make the conversations interesting. This is all true.....and why George is an interesting guy.  It’s also why his family doesn’t talk to him much..........🤫
 

Ask him about the corn nuts and lemon tree.......if you have a few hours to spare!

Edited March 14, 2021 by edinmass (see edit history)

[BobinVirginia]

2 minutes ago, edinmass said:

When George and a I get together the bullshit flies! A bottle of Cabernet in his garage in Oakland looking over the gynecology equipment and the radio active enema bottle sure make the conversations interesting. This is all true.....and why George is an interesting guy.  It’s also why his family doesn’t talk to him much..........🤫

😂🤣😂
That’s some funny stuff!!! 

Edited March 14, 2021 by BobinVirginia (see edit history)

[edinmass]

1 minute ago, BobinVirginia said:

😂🤣😂
That’s some funny stuff!!! 

 

All true!

[BobinVirginia]

Just now, edinmass said:

 

All true!

Not only do I approve such things, I would encourage such bullshitting!!! 

[BobinVirginia]

I knew George has some diagnostic equipment. Sounds like he’s got some for the ultimate mystery in life!!!! 

[edinmass]

We got more bullshit than money, or brains! Fits in well with the old car hobby.

[Grimy]

2 hours ago, edinmass said:

When George and a I get together the bullshit flies! A bottle of Cabernet in his garage in Oakland looking over the gynecology equipment and the radio active enema bottle sure make the conversations interesting. This is all true.....and why George is an interesting guy.  It’s also why his family doesn’t talk to him much..........🤫
 

Ask him about the corn nuts and lemon tree.......if you have a few hours to spare!

Your memory is failing, old man:  San Leandro (not Oakland), orange (not lemon) tree, radioactive jar for drinking water ca. 1906--care for a cool glass?  The founder of Corn Nuts was the first owner of my house.  I do have a modest collection of pre-WW2 feminine hygiene products and equipment and a portable embalming kit.  What's your blood type, Ed, so I can be prepared?

[edinmass]

George my blood type is Crown Royal Apple...........and I desperately need a transfusion. The details above were as I remember them from ten years ago.............😎

Edited March 14, 2021 by edinmass (see edit history)

[58L-Y8]

10 hours ago, edinmass said:

“In 1933 the two door phaeton was rather archaic.” Yup, not only was it archaic it did t even exist!😂

"The coachwork looks as though it started life as a closed design, with its distinct dipped beltline after the cowl."

 

Ed: Thanks for confirming my suspicions about how this body came about.   Pure conjecture: a low mileage, seven passenger sedan/limousine given to a fire department during wartime to convert to hose or crew truck, serving that purpose until the 1960's when it was in a surplus equipment sale.  What clued me to this scenario?  That dramatically cut-down beltline is typical of so many of those conversions...plus even conservative Pierce-Arrow wouldn't have had an archaic-style, one-off show car to present to the 1933 Century of Progress public.  Had they presented this, by comparison to the progressive and elegant styling by their major competitors, they'd been laughed off the stand.

[alsancle]

I don't know anything about this particular car so I can't speak to it,  but in the past any really cool car that exists now but has no history trail or period photo doesn't have a history for a reason.   The reason being there is none.

[trimacar]

I like the idea that this car was the “backup” show car in case the ‘33 Silver Arrow wasn’t completed in time.

 

I can just picture them side by side, and Pierce executives agonizing over which one to display as a show car.....

 

Fun stuff.....

[edinmass]

The car is described in the ad with what was known or rumored about the car for years. Yes, there are old photos of it.......50's or 60's I don't know.........but I do know someone who knew the car a long time ago....when was it built? I think late 50's is a fair guess. The embellishment of it being a back up for the Phillip Wright design of a Silver Arrow? Well you can start any rumors you like........ I have never seen the car in person. I am told it looks well done for the time it was last restored. 

[Grimy]

"George my blood type is Crown Royal Apple...........and I desperately need a transfusion."

 

I'd have sworn your blood type is BS+ like that of my friend Schultz....

 

I LOL'ed at the idea of this car being backup to the Silver Arrow.  Parade rig that became a conv vic makes a great deal of sense.  Thanks, @58L-Y8