1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 52 Custom Club Berline
- Engine
- 7.0L V12, 150 bhp
The final 1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 52 Custom Club Berline built, this rare V-12-powered close-coupled sedan was acquired new by RKO Radio Pictures and likely served studio executives and stars of the era. After passing through several subsequent owners and suffering damage and partial dismantlement, it was discovered in a California barn in 1989, restored to concours standard by 1991, and subsequently earned multiple First in Class and Best of Show honours at major events across the United States before being retired from the show circuit in 2009.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$170,000
- 1932-02-01 →Factory deliveryRKO Radio Pictures Studiopartial documentation
Purchased as new, likely deployed as a transport for studio executives and prominent contract actors. Ownership ended sometime around the mid-1950s under Howard Hughes's tenure.
- 1989 →Private saleGerald and Grace Schimkefull documentation
Pierce-Arrow enthusiasts who located the car in a central California barn and commissioned a thorough restoration completed in 1991. Withdrew the vehicle from active show competition in 2009.
- Date unknownPrivate saleFormer RKO stunt performer turned attorneypartial documentation
Collector of RKO-related memorabilia; reportedly obtained the vehicle from the studio around the time Hughes divested its film rights in 1955. Ownership duration and exit are not documented.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownUnidentified caretaker, early 1960snone documentation
Custodian during the early 1960s; car suffered damage and partial dismantling by the early 1970s.
Competition
- 1991Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Served as the car's public debut following a two-year restoration; marked the beginning of an extended concours campaign.
- —Various national concours eventsMultiple First in Class and Best of Show awards
Competed at prestigious shows across the United States between approximately 1991 and 2009, earning top honors before being withdrawn from the circuit.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1991Restoration
A comprehensive two-year restoration was completed in 1991, carried out with close attention to quality and originality; the finished result earned widespread recognition at concours events.
Work commenced in 1989 following the barn discovery. Restoration photographs and receipts are included with the car.
- —Service
Prior to re-entering the concours circuit, the car reportedly received an extensive concours-level detailing and mechanical service.
Carried out after the car's retirement from showing in 2009; exact date not stated in the catalogue.
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