"While the Pierce-Arrow became one of the most prestigious automobiles available, their beginnings were humble. Bicycles first, as with many firms of note, but by the turn of the century, steam cars broke through using De Dion engines. The cars became bigger and moved over to the internal combustion engine culminating in the Great Arrow that helped gain Pierce its reputation by winning the first five Glidden Tours, a reliability trial of 1,100 miles whilst still aiming firmly at the wealthy end of the marketplace. President Taft was the first US President to use one for official occasions with Roosevelt following the trend and many more to come.
Throughout WWI, the Pierce-Arrow commercial line was busy turning out two and five-ton trucks ordered in their hundreds by both the French and English governments. Post-war, production resumed although the attention to detail remained the same. Controlling interest of the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company was then purchased by the Studebaker Corporation in 1928. While the two companies maintained independent, Pierce-Arrow’s future was now influenced by its new major stockholder.
Registered in 1933 and built in Buffalo, USA, this 836 two-door Club Brougham, the name taken from Lord Brougham-designed horse-driven coach. With just four owners throughout its 89 years, all of which have been traced throughout its extensive history file, its long-term membership of the Pierce Arrow Society has been recorded over time, a club famous for its meticulous database of cars and their owners.
The car’s 56,300 recorded mileage is documented and correct and the overall condition is exceptional with numerous wins at various car shows. Power comes from a flat-head, straight eight-cylinder engine with a two-stage carburettor an advanced & retarred choke with a three-speed manual gearbox and freewheel. This can also just the use of the clutch on first gear only if required and benefits from a four-wheel parking brake. An enlarged carburettor has been fitted allowing the engine to run good and cool alongside a new starter motor and refurbished gearbox and examination of clutch. The carburettor has been overhauled with work carried out by specialists, Overton's.
This hugely elegant and imposing American classic sits on brand new whitewall tyres with the steering, linkage and each wheel professionally balanced. A damper has been fitted to the steering wheel and the electrics are now operated by twin six-volt Optima batteries with an isolation switch and charging points for maintenance trickle chargers. The original exhausts have also been copied and replaced by stainless steel items. I’m sure the vendor would not my saying this but the owner is a perfectionist and has even had the vulnerable Pierce Arrow mascot restored to first class condition with the bow and arrow rebuilt in solid silver.
Owned for over 12 years and after a recent 600-mile tour of Norfolk and Suffolk with no issue, the owner will certainly be sorry to see her go.
(Music with thanks to Audionautix)"