créée
le 20 octobre 2006 et mise à jour le 20 octobre 2006
marque
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PIERCE
ARROW
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modèle
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model
A
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finitions
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Touring 7 pass
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année
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1 9 3
0
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quantité/prix
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6795 Pierce-Arrow 1930 /
$3975
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carrosserie
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torpédo 4 portes 7
places
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moteur/boite
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8cyl en ligne -
132cv
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- hôte
: le vendeur communique son email (cliquez
ici)
- photos
: webmestre du trombinoscar en avril 2002
|
- THIS
CAR IS OFFERED FOR SALE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER WITH NO
RESERVE. PLEASE DON'T WRECK MY AUCTION BY BIDDING IF YOU
DO NOT INTEND TO BUY
- In an
effort to provide the largest amount of information
possible, I have included a lengthy description and many
photos of this car. Please look them over carefully if
you are interested. Feel free to phone or e-mail if you
need more information. Thank You.
- Offered
for sale at NO RESERVE is this outstanding 1930
Pierce-Arrow model A seven passenger touring car,
originally the property of the Broadmoor Hotel in
Colorado Springs, Colorado. The car is mostly unrestored
and in excellent driving condition. I acquired the car
last year from its owner of over 50 years and it is
certainly one of the finest cars I've ever owned. I am
very reluctantly selling it because space and financial
considerations force me to reduce my collection. I'm sure
its new owner will find, as I have, that the Pierce-Arrow
of this era is among the finest motorcars ever
built.
- HISTORY:
Construction of the Broadmoor Hotel was begun in 1916 on
the site of the original 1891 Broadmoor Casino in
Colorado Springs. When the Hotel opened for business in
1918 its owner, Arthur Penrose, declared it would be
among the world's finest resorts with a level of service
higher than any other in the United States. The
breathtaking scenery of the Colorado Springs area
attracted the finest clientele and the Broadmoor quickly
became a destination for the wealthy and influential.
There was an immediate demand for automobiles to
transport guests throughout the scenic area, particularly
to the top of nearby Pikes Peak, a climb to 14,000 feet.
The Broadmoor needed cars that offered the best in power,
safety, and luxury, and began a relationship with
Pierce-Arrow which would last the life of the
manufacturer. In 1930 the Broadmoor placed an order for a
fleet of all new Pierces, choosing the top-of the-line
model A sedans and touring cars. These were Pierce's
largest and most powerful cars with 144 in. wheelbase,
385 c.i. straight eight engine, and four speed
transmission. 15 cars were purchased, six of which were
the open touring models. Each car had a unique hotel
number, with the touring cars numbered 10 through 15. My
car is number 11, and the number was stamped into the
metal parking light bracket on each Broadmoor
car.
- The
cars for the Broadmoor fleet were specially constructed;
the following is excerpted from a story by Paul Johnson
about his friend Angelo Cimino, longtime mechanic and
driver at the Broadmoor:
- "When
the Broadmoor was preparing to purchase the fleet of 1930
Pierce-Arrows, Angy met with Don Anson (Pierce factory
engineer) on setting up the cars for the climb up the
Peak. A test touring car was shipped to the Broadmoor
along with various ring and pinion gear sets, cylinder
heads, carburetor jets and radiators. The car was loaded
with lead bars from the Broadmoor printing plant to
simulate a full load of passengers, and then Angy and Don
drove the car on a number of trips up the Peak using
different combinations of the above parts until the
desired performance was attained. All of the cars were
then configured in that manner prior to being shipped
from the factory."
- The
Pierce fleet provided excellent service and was kept in
top mechanical and cosmetic condition, with each car
carefully washed, including the undercarriage, after
every day's driving. Mr. Cimino can be seen in one of the
attached photos at the wheel of one of the touring cars
at Glen Cove, 11,425 feet above sea level, in 1934. He
continued to work for the Broadmoor until the day he died
in 1980.
- I
haven't been able to determine exactly when the Broadmoor
sold off its fleet of Pierces but car number 11
apparently passed to the hands of a young man who lived
in the Colorado Springs area. The name of this Pierce
enthusiast has been lost to history but it seems he went
off to college in Washington D.C. and took the car with
him. Ted Fuller was working near D.C. when he heard about
the car and secured its purchase in 1951. He would own
the car for the next 50 years. Mr. Fuller moved to
Connecticut and it is there that the car has resided for
most of its life. He was active in the Classic Car Club
and the car was used for touring and special events
through the 1960s and 70s but it recent years the car has
been driven very little. More recently Mr. Fuller planned
a full restoration of the car but after restoring the
wheels he decided because of his advancing age to sell
the car and I was able to purchase it in 2003. I have
enjoyed driving the car immensely, and just last month
drove the car roundtrip from Oakland to Yosemite National
Park, covering over 400 miles which included freeway
driving as well as serious hill climbing, with the car
performing beautifully.
- EQUIPMENT:
This car is fully equipped for long distance touring. It
has the original heavy duty wooden artillery wheels,
thermostatically controlled radiator shutters, and
Pierce-Arrow trunk with four fitted suitcases. The
spacious rear section includes folding jump seats and a
compartment behind the back seat for storage of the side
curtains. There is also a locking tool compartment in the
driver's door. I am particularly impressed with the fine
details of the car including the Pierce name molded into
the rubber floor mat, high backed jump seats, crank
adjustable driver's seat, beveled glass rear window, and
dash gauges shaped to match the radiator
shell.
- CONDITION:
BODY / INTERIOR: The quality of the car and its
meticulous care over the years have resulted in the car
remaining in very solid condition. The body is rock solid
with no rust or rot anywhere, ever. Mr. Fuller painted
the car in 1952 in a light yellow with green pinstripe,
replacing the original Broadmoor gray. This paint still
shines but in many areas it is chipping off and for show
the car would need to be repainted. Apparently when new
the underside of the fenders and the chassis were the
same color green as the wheels and this original paint
still exists on these areas. It seems the chrome radiator
shell was replated years ago and it still looks good
although there are some scratches. The bumpers and door
handles would be improved by rechroming but are still
useable as is. As I mentioned the wheels have recently
been restored and they are in fine shape. At the same
time the car was painted, Mr. Fuller had the front and
rear seats reupholstered in a black vinyl. The rest of
the interior is still all original including the leather
door panels, side panels, and leather jump seats, which
show a fair amount of age but are still serviceable. The
original rubber floor mats are still in the car but the
rear in particular is quite worn. Although the seat
material is not original it has aged and now matches the
rest of the interior quite well. The top was also
replaced in the 1950s and it is still in good condition
and goes up and down without any problems. Despite the
age and wear to the paint, trim and upholstery, the car
still has a presentable look to it. The new owner may
want to undertake a show restoration, but the car is very
usable and can be enjoyed immediately just as it
is.
- MECHANICAL:
Overall the car is in excellent mechanical condition. The
engine always starts and runs very strong and smooth with
incredible power. Mr. Fuller told me he never had the
engine apart and I believe the 51,000 miles showing are
probably original, although he could not verify it. The
four speed transmission shifts well and the clutch seems
to be fine. We inspected the brakes and found the linings
to be excellent. The car stops well, but adjustment of
the mechanical lines might lead to improved braking. The
radiator shutters open and close automatically and the
car never overheats. The wiring is fine and all lights
and gauges are operational, even the clock! The original
windshield wipers are complete and look to be functional
but at the moment they are off the car and in a box. The
tires are fairly new and are in excellent
condition.
- DRIVING
THE CAR: I am very fortunate to have a car collection
which includes Stutz, Packard, Locomobile, and
Duesenberg, but I can honestly say this is the best
driving old car I have ever owned. The 132 horsepower
straight eight has amazing pick up and power for a car of
1930. The special Pikes Peak gears allow for superb hill
climbing ability but the car still cruises very
comfortably on the freeway at 55 mph. The car's length
makes for a smooth comfortable ride with excellent
tracking. Particularly remarkable is the balance of the
car: despite its substantial weight and enormous
wheelbase, the car will literally steer with one finger.
Overall it is a great pleasure to drive.
- INCLUDED
WITH THE CAR: is the original owner's manual as well
every ORIGINAL key for the ignition, tool compartment,
sidemount locks, and trunk, alowith a spare set. There
are also a number of travel and sightseeing brochures
from the Colorado Springs area dating from the 1920s and
30s, and a book on the history of the Broadmoor Hotel.
The car has a full set of side curtains for cold or wet
weather driving, a boot cover for the top when lowered,
and a very heavy duty canvas cover for the trunk. There
is also the original crank for crank starting, and a set
of Pierce-Arrow tools. There are also some spare parts
including headlight lenses and tail light
assemblies.
- VALUE:
This is an extremely rare car, as few model A Pierces
exist today. According to the Pierce-Arrow Society
roster, all six of the Broadmoor touring cars are still
alive, but only very rarely does one come on the market.
(apparently none of the Broadmoor sedans have survived)
It seems that car number 13 was offered for sale last
year in restored condition for a price near $200,000.
This car must go right away and I'm willing to let the
bidders determine the price. If you can't bear to wait
for the end of the auction you may contact me to discuss
a buy it now price. Whatever the case this is surely an
opportunity to get a bargain on a remarkable car and a
rare piece of automotive history.
- TERMS:
The car is sold as is, with buyer responsible for
transport. All sales are final. I am confident the car
could be driven anywhere but if you need to ship it look
in your local yellow pages or on the internet under auto
transporting to get a price quote. I can make shipping
arrangements if necessary. I have sold a number of
collector cars on eBay and all buyers are very happy with
the transactions - check my feedback or I will provide
references if desired.
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PHOTOS
DE LA PIERCE-ARROW model A TOURING 7PASS
1930
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