1936 Pierce-Arrow Twelve Town Car Prototype (Derham coachwork)
- Engine
- 7.6L (462 cu in) L-head V12, three-speed manual with overdrive
- Colour
- Dark blue with silver accents
A one-of-a-kind 1936 Pierce-Arrow Twelve Town Car prototype, bodied by the Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania, and commissioned by Pierce-Arrow as a proposed catalogue custom for the 1937 model year that was never put into production. Powered by a 462-cubic-inch L-head V-12, this sole surviving example passed through several distinguished American collections and accumulated top national awards from the AACA, CCCA, and Pierce-Arrow Society following a meticulous multi-year restoration.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$187,000
- 1936 →Private saleCharles Cobb Walkerpartial documentation
Wealthy and prominent Pierce-Arrow patron based in Manchester, Massachusetts; reportedly arranged consecutive serial numbers across three Pierce-Arrow purchases in 1936–1937. Kept the car at his estate, Woodholm.
- → 1975Acquisition unknownLoren Hollandpartial documentation
New York-based owner who sold the car to Bob Sands in 1975; one of several short-term owners in the chain following the Grossman period.
- 1975 →Private saleBob Sandspartial documentation
Long-standing Pierce-Arrow enthusiast who spent approximately seven years completing a full restoration; subsequently showed the car across the country to multiple award-winning results and drove it regularly.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJohn Grossmanpartial documentation
Lumber magnate who acquired the Walker estate, Woodholm, after World War II; the three Pierce-Arrows belonging to Walker, including this town car, were part of that property transaction.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRoy Warshawskypartial documentation
Prominent collector who commissioned additional restoration work and continued exhibiting the car nationally; the current restoration visible on the car dates from his tenure.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJohn Groendykepartial documentation
Maintained a noted Oklahoma-based collection of significant vehicles; this town car formed part of that assemblage for several years.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRichard Kughnpartial documentation
Well-known antique car collector based in Dearborn, Michigan; the car was most recently housed in his collection immediately prior to the current consignor's acquisition.
Competition
- —Antique Automobile Club of AmericaAntique Automobile Club of America national judgingTop national honors
One of several major concours-style awards earned during a long show career spanning multiple collections.
- —Classic Car Club of AmericaClassic Car Club of America national judgingTop national honors
Exhibited widely across the country and recognised at the highest level of CCCA judging.
- —Pierce-Arrow SocietyPierce-Arrow Society national judgingTop national honors
Achieved top recognition from the marque's dedicated enthusiast society as part of an extensive national show programme.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A comprehensive restoration carried out by Bob Sands over approximately seven years, after which the car was shown successfully at venues across the United States.
Restoration duration of roughly seven years suggests an unusually thorough scope of work; the finished car was driven as well as exhibited.
- —Restoration
Further restoration work commissioned by Roy Warshawsky following his acquisition of the car; the resulting finish, featuring dark blue coachwork with silver detailing and matched interior, is the presentation seen today.
Described as an older restoration at time of cataloguing, though still considered highly presentable.
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