1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 41 LeBaron Convertible Victoria
- Engine
- Inline eight-cylinder, 132 hp
A 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 41 Convertible Victoria bodied by LeBaron, riding on a 147-inch wheelbase and powered by a 132 bhp inline eight-cylinder engine. Believed to be the only surviving example of this body style, and possibly the sole one originally constructed, it likely appeared at the 1931 New York Auto Show. Following a distinguished restoration by noted Pierce-Arrow specialist Eric Rosenau, the car earned Best in Class at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Bernard J. Weis Award for Most Authentic Restoration from the Pierce-Arrow Society in 2009, and Best of Show at the 2012 Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$456,500
- —Auction saleEstimate US$375,000 – US$450,000
- → 1966Allen Bittnerpartial documentation
Pennsylvania resident; earliest known named custodian of the vehicle.
- 1966 → 1969Private saleEdmund Gibspartial documentation
Based in Wausheka, Wisconsin; car was fitted with a Model 43 engine during this period.
- 1969 → 1984Private saleDr. F.M. Brunemeierpartial documentation
Noted collector from Redding, California; held the car for approximately fifteen years.
- 1984 → 2001Private saleJoseph Gazzapartial documentation
Long-standing Pierce-Arrow enthusiast based in Huntington, New York.
- 2001 →Private saleTom Williamspartial documentation
Los Altos, California resident who commissioned a full restoration by Eric Rosenau, with finishing work by Bob Jacobson; the correct Model 41 engine was sourced and reinstalled during this tenure.
Competition
- 19311931 New York Auto Show
Car is believed to have been part of the manufacturer's display stand, though this is not confirmed.
- 20082008 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
First major showing following completion of the restoration.
- 2009Pierce-Arrow Society National MeetPierce-Arrow Society National Meet, TemeculaBernard J. Weis Award for Most Authentic Restoration
Top national-level restoration award presented by the Pierce-Arrow Society.
- 20122012 Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United StatesBest in Class and Best of Show
Car swept the top honours at this event, most recently before the catalogue was written.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
At some point before 1969 the original Model 41 engine was replaced by a Model 43 unit; the car was running this non-original powerplant when acquired by Dr. Brunemeier.
The substitution date is unknown; the discrepancy was noted at the time of the 1969 ownership transfer.
- —Engine rebuild
The car was reunited with a Model 41 engine, serial number 325760, believed to be the factory-original unit, which was sourced from Pierce-Arrow Society member Glenn Perkins of Wisconsin and reinstalled during the restoration.
Repatriation of the correct engine was a key element of achieving the authenticity recognised by concours judges.
- —RestorationEric Rosenau
A comprehensive restoration was carried out under the direction of the owner Tom Williams by the late Eric Rosenau of Ramona, California, regarded as one of the foremost Pierce-Arrow restoration specialists, with final detailing and finishing work completed by Bob Jacobson of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Restoration quality was subsequently validated at the national level by Pierce-Arrow Society judges. Bob Jacobson handled the concluding detailing phase.
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