- A highly desirable and rare 48-HP Brass Era Pierce-Arrow
- Prominent ownership history, including automotive great Phil Hill, E.C. "Doc" Lawrence, and John Muckel
- Shown at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and participant of the Tour d'Elegance by Rolex
- $50,000 cosmetic and mechanical freshening in 2022
- One of the most complete and original examples extant
LOT 624
Selling on Saturday Evening
1912 Pierce-Arrow Model 48-SS Seven-Passenger Touring
Of all of the great Pierce-Arrows built through the years, the Model 48 was one of their grandest offerings, an automobile that continuously progressed as the years went on and encapsulated the finer things in life. The example offered here elevated the Pierce name and made it synonymous with the ultimate in motoring luxury, placing it with the likes of Cadillac, Packard, and Rolls-Royce. Built in November of 1911 as a 1912 model, this example was factory-equipped with the 1912's trademark characteristics such as concealed door hinges and gearshift and brake levers moved inside the stylish cast aluminum coachwork. Appointed with the desirable 525-cubic-inch six-cylinder, 48-horsepower engine and four-speed selective sliding-gear transmission, this 48-SS Seven-Passenger Touring had the ability to attain speeds that were unmatched by most automobiles of its time.
Known ownership history of this exceptionally rare and original high horsepower Pierce-Arrow begins with records kept by Pierce-Arrow historians Bernard J. Weis and Patrick Craig, which show this example was owned by James P. Sullivan of Oceanside, California in the 1950s until his passing in 1971. After Sullivan's passing, this example would be acquired by automotive legend and America's first Formula One World Champion racing driver, Phil Hill, who was known to be a collector of important Pierce-Arrows.
The next list of owners includes Bill Kuring, Bill Ziering, and E.C. "Bill" Lawrence, better known as "Doc" Lawrence, the former president of the Horseless Carriage Club of America. Under Doc's ownership, restoration expert Stu Laidlaw would complete a comprehensive touring restoration. Once finished, this 1912 Pierce-Arrow would become a veteran on the tour circuit around the country and be featured on the cover of the Pierce-Arrow Society, The Arrow (1995, Issue 1). From there, Doc Lawrence would pass this imposing Pierce-Arrow on to the late Don Meyer of Lebanon, New Jersey, who was renowned for being an expert and collector of Brass Era automobiles. Having owned a plethora of significant Model 48s in his lifetime, he praised this Model 48-SS Seven-Passenger Touring as being "the most complete, original" example he has had the pleasure of owning.
After brief ownership by well-known automotive enthusiast Jim Grundy, the John Muckel Collection would become the next caretaker in 2007. Having been well-looked after since known history began in the '50s, Muckel would still commission an extensive restoration by well-known Brass Era specialist, Bob McKeown. Muckel noted that this Pierce was kept as original as possible during the restoration, which included tracking down a pair of correct headlamps that were properly restored, and correct rear-end ring and pinion gears made to the original 3.31:1 ratio. Once the restoration was completed, this example was exhibited at the 2010, 60th anniversary Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and partook in the Tour d'Elegance.
Acquired by the current owner in 2021, this 1912 Pierce-Arrow Model 48-SS became a prized possession among his already impressive collection. Under his ownership, he took this Pierce to Automotive Restorations, Inc. of Lebanon, New Jersey in the middle of 2022 where it received close to $50,000 in cosmetic and mechanical restoration and was dialed in for extensive touring. After this work was completed, it was invited and displayed at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it elegantly stood out among its peers on the 18th green. Along with being shown, this Pierce-Arrow also took part in the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance presented by Rolex and performed without flaw, and the current owner noted it outperformed many of the pre- and post-war classics on the tour.
Emerging from a bygone era of automobiles that are becoming increasingly harder to find as each and every day goes by; this example stands as of the most complete and original Brass Era 48-horsepower Pierce-Arrows extant. An experienced veteran on the tour and concours circuit with a list of prominent owners pinned to its growing legacy, this 1912 Pierce-Arrow Model 48-SS Seven-Passenger Touring with its cosmetic and mechanical refreshing will add a valuable and commanding element that is ideal for notable collections, concours, and tours around the globe.
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