Pierce-Arrow Twelve
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| Pierce-Arrow Twelve | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 1932 Pirce-Arrow 54 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Pierce-Arrow |
| Production | 1932-1938 |
| Designer | Herbert M. Dawley |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Ultra-luxury car |
| Body style | Coachbuilt to owner's preference 2-door convertible 4-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 2-door roadster 4-door town car 4-door limousine |
| Layout | Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 398 cu in (6,520 cc) V-12 (1932) 429 cu in (7,030 cc) V-12 (1932-1933) 461.8 cu in (7,568 cc) V-12 (1933-1938) |
| Power output | 140 hp (100 kW) 150–160 hp (110–120 kW) 175–185 hp (130–138 kW) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
Pierce-Arrow Twelve was a line of luxury automobiles produced by the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company of Buffalo, New York, from 1932 to 1938. Positioned as the company's flagship offering, the Twelve featured a series of large-displacement V12 engines and was designed to compete directly with other ultra-luxury American marques such as the Cadillac V-16, Duesenberg J, Lincoln K, Packard Twelve and others.[1] The Twelve represented Pierce-Arrow's entry into the multi cylinder luxury segment during the Great Depression, emphasizing advanced engineering, opulent coachbuilt and factory bodies, and record-setting performance demonstrations. Despite its technical excellence and prestige, low production volumes and economic conditions contributed to the company's eventual insolvency in 1938.
The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company, originally founded in 1865 as a manufacturer of household goods, entered automobile production in 1901 and built a reputation for high-quality luxury vehicles. By the late 1920s, the company faced increasing competition in the luxury market. In 1928 it merged with Studebaker, which provided some financial support but was dissolved by 1933. To bolster its lineup against rivals offering V12 and V16 engines, Pierce-Arrow introduced its first V12 powerplants for the 1932 model year alongside its existing straight-eight. The new Twelve series was developed to showcase cutting-edge technology, including hydraulic valve lifters (an industry first in some applications) and features like adjustable "ride-control" shock absorbers and the Startix automatic starter. Publicity efforts included high-speed endurance runs on the Bonneville Salt Flats led by driver Ab Jenkins, which set numerous AAA records and highlighted the engines' durability.[2] Production remained modest throughout the decade due to the Depression. Total Pierce-Arrow output for 1933 was approximately 1,843 units (with a portion being Twelves), falling to 1,740 in 1934 and just 842 in 1936. The company introduced an all-new body design in 1936 featuring more streamlined lines and distinctive quadruple headlights, but sales continued to decline. Pierce-Arrow declared bankruptcy in 1938 and ceased automobile production; its assets were liquidated, and much of the tooling was later scrapped for the World War II effort.
Model years and variants
Pierce-Arrow used varying model designations over the years, typically indicating wheelbase and series (e.g., shorter "Salon" vs. longer "Custom" chassis). The Twelve was offered in numerous factory and custom body styles, including coupes, convertibles, sedans, limousines, town cars, and phaetons, with coachbuilders such as Brunn contributing formal bodies.
1932
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The Twelve debuted with two engine options and distinct series:
- Model 53 (smaller 398 cu in / 6.5 L V12) on 137- or 142-inch wheelbases.
- Models 51 and 52 (larger 429 cu in / 7.0 L V12) on the 147-inch wheelbase.
Bodies featured more flowing lines than prior years. Prices ranged from about $2,875 for entry level roadsters to over $8,000 for top custom models.
1933
The underpowered 398 cu in engine was discontinued. The 429 cu in became the base unit, joined by a new bored-out 462 cu in (7.6 L) V12 producing approximately 175 hp. The famous Silver Arrow show car a futuristic, streamlined four-door sedan priced at $10,000 was unveiled at the New York Auto Show and later produced in very limited numbers (five units). The Silver Arrow name was later applied to select production Twelve models, though they shared little stylistically with the concept beyond mechanical components.
1934
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Only the 462 cu in V12 was offered. Models included the 1240A (shorter wheelbase Salon series) and 1248A (longer Custom series). Nine factory body styles were available on the Twelve chassis, plus custom Brunn bodies. A lower-priced 836A eight-cylinder line was added mid year to broaden appeal.
1935
Models continued largely unchanged from 1934, with designations such as the 1245 Twelve. The 462 cu in engine remained standard. Silver Arrow-styled fastback coupes and other variants were offered on wheelbases around 138–144 inches. Production totaled about 875 cars company-wide.[3]
1936–1938
An all-new body design debuted in 1936 with rounded, more modern styling, an X-braced frame marketed as the "world's safest car," overdrive transmission, and vacuum-boosted brakes as standard. The Twelve models (such as the 1602 and 1603 series) retained the 462 cu in V12 (now rated up to 185 hp in some accounts). Distinctive quadruple headlights (two pairs) became a signature feature. Minor updates continued in 1937 and 1938, including the 1700 series variants. Production dwindled to a few hundred cars annually before cessation.[4][5]
