Founded in 1901, the Buffalo, New York-based company, Pierce-Arrow was considered a status symbol among high society. They made a name for themselves by building vehicles for politicians, movie stars, and royalty around the globe. By the late 1920s, they were experiencing financial difficulties in a changing marketplace and the company looked for an outlet, which resulted in merging with the Studebaker Company in 1928. By 1933, Pierce-Arrow was back in private hands, but as the Great Depression continued to wreak havoc on the financials of the world, business naturally declined. The company would eventually meet its demise in 1938 but still built quality motorcars up to the day the doors closed.
This 1936 Pierce-Arrow Twelve Model 1602 Limousine is a beautiful and elegant sight to look at and contains a custom body by European coachbuilders Letourneur & Marchand. The Letourneur & Marchand limousine body was originally fitted to a 1930s Hispano-Suiza. When the body became available it replaced this car's original factory-built seven-passenger sedan body. The result was a handsome and impressive one-off creation. Power comes from a 462 cubic-inch Twelve cylinder engine that develops 150 horsepower. The engine is backed by a synchromesh manual transmission that has been equipped with a Warner overdrive. Even more elegant than the exterior is the interior. The upholstery was restored to a Louis Vuitton style that truly captivates onlookers " so much so, it won the Exemplary Interior Design award at the 2021 Copshaholm Concours d'Elegance in South Bend, Indiana.
