1936 Pierce-Arrow V-12 Model 1602 Salon Convertible Coupe

32 Pages·2013·5.97 MB·English

Autumn 2013
1936 Pierce-Arrow V-12 Model 1602
Salon Convertible Coupe
Owned by Monte Sr. & Shirlee Holmes
Pacific Northwest Region - CCCA
PNR CCCA Region Events 2013 -14 CCCA National Events
Events in bold-type sponsored by PNR-CCCA.
Other events are listed for your convenience. Annual Meeting 2014
Details can be found at www.ccca-pnr.org or
Jan 8 - 12 ..................... Naples, FL
by contacting the Event Manager.
Grand Classics®
August 31st June 8 ..........Southern California Region
Crescent Beach Concours d’Elegance
July 20 ..................Michigan Region
PNR Contacts: Colin Gurnsey 604-788-7429
John Carlson 604-307-6474
CARavans
Sept. 6-12, 2013 ...... Sun Valley CARavan
Sept 5th-7th
Kirkland Tour d’Elegance Sept. 12-20, 2014 .........Michigan Region
PNR Contacts: Stan Dickison 206-949-1115

Al McEwan 425-999-4485
Director's Message
September 8th
Kirkland Concours at LeMay
PNR Contacts: Jerry Greenfield 253-653-5060 The cooler weather is upon us with
Bill Vadino 425-246-1212 the promise of cold and wet to
come. There are happily nice days
still in store until we settle into
October 4th & 5th
PNR Fall Tour to Mahogany & Merlot winter’s consistent shades of gray;
PNR Contact Brian Rohrback 425-836-8138 we just don’t get all that much prior
notice of a persistent sun. We still have a lot of events to
look forward to as we close out the year and planning
December 1st
50th Anniversary Party, is starting to take place for 2014. As always, if you have
Annual Meeting & Holiday Event ideas about places to go, people to see, events of the
PNR Contact TBD past that would be nice to resurrect, ties to other clubs
in the region, let me or any of the Managers know of
your interests. This is your club! Come to events, enjoy
the camaraderie, drive your cars – that is what we do!
There are many activities still in store that will lead up
to our combined Holiday Party/Annual Meeting set for
December 1st of this year. Our meeting will be held at
the Seattle Golf Club and we have arranged for a larger
space in anticipation of an exceptional turnout for this
event. In the spirit of combining (possibly way too)
much into a single event, we will conduct our yearly
members’ business meeting, give out awards, usher in
new Managers and officers of the club, and provide a
little historical perspective to capture the nature of this
Pacific Northwest Region over our 50 years (and 197
From Arny Barer: "Loved the last BG issue. Attached is days) of official status in the CCCA. We are trying to
a picture taken in June in Paris of the end of 2013 Peking contact as many of the early members to get them to
to Paris Rally."
attend this meeting as a spanning of the years we have
Continues on page 30
2 Bumper Guardian
Pacific Northwest Region - CCCA
Table of Contents
Calendar of Events ..............................2
Pacific Northwest Region
Classic Car Club of America LeMay Museum Showcase Car:
The Bumper Guardian is the official publication of the 1936 Pierce-Arrow Salon Convertible Coupe ....4
Pacific Northwest Region, Classic Car Club of America.
The region was founded in 1963. Articles:
Pierce-Arrow History ........................6
Officers and Appointed Posts:
Klassic Korner for Kids - Kites ................7
Brian Rohrback, Director 425-836-8138
Pierce-Arrow Ad ...........................13
Val Dickison, Secretary 206-546-3306
Classics & Bi-Planes ........................18
John Campbell, Treasurer 425-885-5472 Things Were Never as Good as
Stan Dickison, Activities 206-949-1115 They Used To Be ...........................21
Val Dickison, Membership 206-546-3306 Update from Laurel Gurnsey ................22
Pebble Beach Honorary Chief Judge ......... 29
Karen Hutchinson, BG Co-editor 360-678-5453
Raymond Loe, BG Co-editor 360-678-9366
Technical Topics:
Colin Gurnsey, BC Liaison 604-980-7429
Grease Cup Re-Sealing ......................12
Board of Managers:
Columns:
Val Dickison 2013 206-546-3306
Director’s Message ..........................2
Roy Dunbar 2013 206-915-7667
Membership Update ........................22
John McGary 2013 206-909-4499
PNR Member Profile ........................15
Denny Dochnahl 2014 425-271-1153
Editor’s Message ...........................30
Kim Pierce 2014 425-330-2665
Bill Smallwood III 2014 425-773-0130 PNR-CCCA Events:
Don Reddaway 2015 206-719-3370 Picnic at Mason Lake ........................8
Concours at the Wood .......................9
Brian Rohrback 2015 425-836-8138
Kite Fly at Fort Worden .....................14
Jon Schoenfeld 2015 775-848-7842
July 4th Parade at Yarrow Point ..............16
Bumper Guardian Staff: Pebble Beach Motoring Classic Kick-Off .......24
Advertising Noel Cook 206-232-6413
Regional & Other Events:
Caption Editor Bill Deibel 206-522-7167
Legends Car Show .........................23
Copy Editor Bill Allard 253-565-2545
PNR at Pebble Beach .......................28
Cover Story Raymond Loe 360-678-9366
Staff Photographer Michael Bradley 206-225-6491
Board of Managers’ Meetings:
1st Wednesday at the
Club Auto Kirkland
Disclaimer
5:00 Social Gathering - Hosted Refreshments
6:00 Meeting/Pizza Dinner.
The technical information in this publication is provided
Open to all members. Cost $10/person.
“as is” without any representations or warranties,
Minutes on the web and available upon request.
express or implied by PNR-CCCA. The information in
Membership:
technical articles is provided by the authors to the best
Regional membership is available only to
of their knowledge as correct at the time of original
Classic Car Club of America National members.
publication but neither they nor PNR-CCCA will be
Advertising Policy/Rates:
responsible for errors.
The Bumper Guardian will print classified
advertising free of charge to members on a space
available basis. Display advertising rates are
available on a prepaid basis only.
Autumn 2013 3
SHOWCASE SPONSOR
Guided by one very clear objective—
to be the world’s foremost
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Celebrating America’s love
affair with the automobile Phone: [phone] Toll Free: 877.902.8490 Website: www.lemaymuseum.org
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4 Bumper Guardian
Pacific Northwest Region - CCCA
hour. Safe, positive control without inches, also a 1918 48 HP 7 Passenger
road shock has been attained by Touring and a 1911 48 HP Roadster.

mounting the steering arm and sector
I started working on old cars when
ahead of the front axle. Pierce-Arrow
I was in high school in Ballard in
cars steer as easily as light cars and
1946. In my second year, I got tired
are inherently stable under all road
of riding my bike to school, about
conditions. V-12 cylinders generate
three miles, so I was able to buy our
185 HP with double downdraft
family’s old 1928 Nash Advanced 6,
carburetors. Suspension springs are
from my dad for a dollar. It wasn’t
long and mounted far apart. They
running at the time. I ground the
are French-point, semi-elliptic, and
valves, pulled the pistons and put
made of silico-manganese alloy steel.
There were only three of these 1936 new rings on and hand filed the
Ball-bearing spring shackles are
V-12 Salon Convertible Coupes rod caps tighter. I couldn’t afford
pre-lubricated for extended service.
made in 1936 and even fewer in 1937 to do the new babbitt. The mains
Valve adjustment is automatically
& 1938. had removable shims, so I took out
maintained by oil under pressure;
.002”. I painted the Nash red and
Of the three 1936 V-12 Salon valves are always quiet, eliminating
black, the Ballard H.S. colors and it
Convertible Coupes made, only two periodic settings. The transmission is
became the mascot for the 1947 City
are left. My car is different from synchromesh type, silent in all gears.
League Champions Football Team.
the other one. My car was custom-
I purchased the Pierce-Arrow from Since that time, I’ve collected many
ordered by Preston Tucker, famous
Norton Shafer in Seattle in 1979. It antique and classic cars and have
for the Tucker car he produced at a
had 42,000 miles on the speedometer restored them myself, except for the
later date. Preston Tucker had been
and was in good original condition. upholstery. The Pierce-Arrow has
a manager for the Pierce-Arrow
In 1988 I restored it with new paint, been shown at many local car shows
Agency in New York. He ordered
new convertible top, new chrome, and in the May 17 Ballard Parade.
changes to the roadster eliminating
new upholstery, new running The car won Car of the Day Award
the rumble seat, side tire mounts
boards, new tires, did the engine on a CCCA Event in 1989 and we
(no fenderwells) and parking
work, new water jackets & valves, also drove to Mount Hood, Oregon
lights. This car is pictured in the
and new wiring brackets. on the National Pierce-Arrow Tour
Automobile Quarterly, Volume 6,
in 1987. Our family has had many
No. 8. The caption is “1936 Salon I was able to find out from Bernard
enjoyable years with the old cars.
Twelve, formerly Preston Tucker’s J. Weis, Editor Emeritus of “The
and modified.” The picture was Arrow” magazine for The Pierce-
included in the article written by the Arrow Society, that the car had been
well-known automobile authority, formerly owned by Tom Waters of
Maurice D. Hendry, of Auckland, Grand Rapids, Michigan who sold
New Zealand. The article was it in 1961 to Mills B. Lane, Jr. of
titled “Pierce-Arrow, An American Atlanta, Georgia. In a copy of a letter
Aristocrat.” Prior to that time, in from him to Mr. Lane, he states that
1973, Mr. Hendry had visited us here this particular car “was especially
in Seattle to see my 1934 Cadillac built for Preston Tucker and that
V-16s. He gave us a signed copy Tucker set some speed records on the
of his recent book, just published, Bonneville Salt flats with the car.”
“Cadillac, Standard of the World;
Before I owned the 1936 Pierce-
Complete History”
Arrow, I had collected four other
The 1936, 1937, & 1938 Pierce-Arrows antique Pierce-Arrows.
alone have automatic overdrive. It
One was a rare 1915 66 HP and a
cuts in silently and automatically
1917 66 HP Touring, both 824 cubic
at speeds between 40 – 45 miles per
Autumn 2013 5
Pacific Northwest Region - CCCA
P -A ’ F Y
ierce rrow S inAl eArS
By Raymond Loe
As most of our readers are familiar to turn things around. This made
with the Pierce-Arrow automobile Pierce-Arrow independent again and
produced in Buffalo NY from 1908 ironically healthier than Studebaker.
through 1938, I will jump right With debts cancelled, the new
into what was happening with owners hoped to make back their
the company around the time our investment with production of just
featured car was built when Pierce 4,000 cars.
was winding down its legacy as a
Somehow Pierce managed a total
member of the Three “Ps” known for
restyle for 1934 adopting a more
producing luxury automobiles.
streamlined look. Offerings were Pierce had finally turned the corner
After first declaring bankruptcy trimmed somewhat, however, a but calendar year sales ended below
and subsequently being acquired notable newcomer to the lineup was the meager 1935 level: just 787.
by Studebaker in 1928, Pierce the 144 inch-wheelbase two-door Pierce bravely carried-on with little-
soldiered-on into the Depression as fastback coupe in the image of the changed 1937 models, but sold only
an independent division without Silver Arrow. 166 before closing out that model
sacrificing quality nor the broad year. Although new financing was
Yet for all this, sales continued to
mix of models and engines in its simply unavailable at that time, the
slide, and failing merger efforts
offerings. In 1932 they produced two company announced their almost
with Reo and Auburn, Pierce-Arrow
new in-house-built V-12s followed identical 1938 models in October
declared bankruptcy for the second
in January 1933 with the debut of ’37, but built fewer than forty before
time in July 1934. After slashing the
their revolutionary Silver Arrow. shutting production down for good.
workforce 70%, there emerged in
This futuristic V-12 four door sedan
May 1935 a reorganized and leaner Seeing the alarming dive in their
bore a handsome vee’d radiator
new company – Pierce-Arrow own sales and noting the recent
flanked by Pierce’s trademark
Motor Corporation. success of medium priced cars at
faired-in headlamps now fully
Packard and Lincoln, prompted the
Despite a threadbare budget, Pierce
integrated with flush-sided fenders.
“never-say-die” Pierce management
managed an attractive redesign for
Running boards were absent and
to go for another reorganization
1936. Advertised as “The Worlds
pronounced pontoon rear fenders
attempt. In August 1937 Pierce
Safest Car” it boasted over thirty
set-off a radically-tapered “beetle
announced a $10.7 million stock
significant improvements including:
back” with a narrow vee’d slit for a
issue to build 25,000 medium priced
more fashionably-rounded lines with
rear window. Despite 5700 pounds
cars, 1,200 luxury models and 4,800
built-in trunks on sedans; standard
of heft, the 175 hp Silver Arrow was
trailers. None of this came to pass.
vacuum brake booster; added
claimed capable of 115 mph – fast
cruciform frame member; engines Thus, Pierce again filed for
enough to be chosen pace car for
and radiators moved forward and bankruptcy in December 1937 after
the 1933 Indy 500. However, at an
the steering box mounted ahead of losing nearly $250,000 over the past
announced $10,000 price, this dream
the front axle with a trailing drag seventeen months. The firm was
car would remain just that, and only
link. Pierces had always been easy to declared insolvent the following
five were ever built.
drive, but improved steering, brakes, April and a month later it was
Parent-company Studebaker declared
suspension, and weight distribution summarily liquidated.
bankruptcy in the spring of 1933 and
gave the 1936s outstanding road-
It was a sad end for this once-great
the receivers ordered Pierce to be
ability despite the near three-ton
American Marque.
sold. In August, ownership passed to
bulk of some models.
a group of Buffalo-area businessmen
Registrations climbed 25% in the first
who paid $ 1 million for a chance
four months of 1936, suggesting that
6 Bumper Guardian
Pacific Northwest Region - CCCA
marble making actual kite tail was made by gang-
machines and tying a series of the kite tail strips to
Klassic Korner for Kids
ran them 24 a length of string, which was then
“Go Fly a Kite” hours a day, tied to the bottom of the long stick on
six days a a diamond kite, or to a loop hanging
week. High between the two bottom sticks ends
In the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s children production levels allowed of a barn-door kite.
had simple, battery-free toys. They Alox to also sell marbles
would make a ring in the dirt and in sets in small mesh
shoot marbles or on windy days, they bags. According to www.
would fill the skies with paper kites. joemarbles.com, “Alox
Many of those kites were made by made opaques, clearies,

the Alox Manufacturing Company, opaque swirls, translucent
including diamond-kites like the swirls and striped or
American Eagle, Rocket Ship, and brush patches. They used
Western Ranger, box-kites and barn- both new and scrap glass.
door kites. Interestingly, Alox did not Green could come from
start-out manufacturing kites. 7-Up bottles, brown
from beer bottles, blue
In 1919, John Friar started the Alox
from Milk of Magnesia
Manufacturing Company to make
bottles; white from cold
shoelaces. He was tired of having
cream jars, etc.” Marble
the ends of his shoelaces unravel
The other
production ceased
and invented the aiglet, that thin
unique Alox
around 1949 but the
piece of metal around the end of
kite product was a
remaining inventory
a shoelace. He soon found that
kite-making kit, consisting
continued to be sold for
when the braiding machines were
of three die-cut paper kite sails
several more years.
not being used to make laces, they
in three colors, sticks for the kites,
could be put it to work making While marbles were some string, some powdered glue
toys such as whips and lassos. His an interesting aspect of Alox mix, and instructions. The kites were
toy manufacturing business grew Manufacturing, kites were their big identical in size to the corresponding
quickly and included (but certainly seller. Almost all the kite production printed kites in the Alox catalog,
not limited to) jack sets, carnival was done in-house at the small and included a diamond bow kite, a
canes, jump-ropes and marble-based factory building located at 6160-80 barn-door kite, and a star kite.
board games like Chinese checkers Maple Avenue in St. Louis including
I was surprised to find in my
and Tic-Tac-Toe. printing and trimming the sails,
research of kite history that the
cutting and notching the sticks, and
World Kite Museum is located
stringing the edges of the sails. Alox
in Long Beach Washington. The
also sold kite accessories and kits.
museum is dedicated to the history
Early on, Alox sold ordinary cotton
of kites, kitemakers and famous kite
twine in three lengths for kite-string.
fliers and examples of Alox kites can
Later, they sold a much stronger,
be seen there.
waxed string made of some sort of
synthetic fiber. They were
likely the only company to
Originally, Friar bought the marbles
sell kite tail supplies. The
used in the board games Alox
Alox Kite Tails product was
manufactured. However, when the
a package of cotton cloth
company ran into a problem with
strips in various colors, each
their marble supplier, Frier decided
strip about 10” long. The
to make his own. He bought seven
Autumn 2013 7
Pacific Northwest Region - CCCA
Pnr-ccA S P
ummer icnic
A Fine Day At the Steinmans
Pacific Northwest Region members lawn while enjoying the hosted Pierce, Scott & Karen Anderson
Gary and Merrisue Steinman hosted picnic lunch and guitarist who with guests Bruce & Melanie Rice,
their ninth annual summer picnic offered country western tunes. Bill & Lucy Allard, Jack Goffette &
at their beautiful Mason Lake home Barbara Shain, John Voight, Steve &
In attendance from our club with
on August 10th. Approximately Annie Norman, and Bruce Harlow.
Classics® were: Jon Schoenfeld with
100 people attended from several Canadian/Oregon region member
his 1937 Cadillac Fleetwood; Arny &
car clubs including the Pacific Bhagwan Mayer was visiting in the
Carol Barer and their 1929 Franklin;
Northwest Region of CCCA. It area and partook of the picnic as
Ron Leventon with his 1934 Packard
appeared the entire Steinman/ well. We hope to see more of him;
Sedan; Phil & Cheryl McCurdy
Barer family was in residence and a he travels from Ladysmith, B.C.
sporting their 1937 Cord, that has
number of young children added to to participate in Oregon regional
not been out since the Grand Classic
the festivity of the day. The weather events. I pointed out to him,
some years back at Port Gamble and
started out a bit iffy so many of while giving him a membership
new member John Glomstad with his
us drove modern iron but a few application, that Seattle is closer and
family in their red 1941Packard 180
stalwarts drove Full-Classics® for all we have great driving events as well!
Sedan. John states he has probably
to enjoy.
owned 100 special interest cars over All in all, another fine event and
Thank you to Bill and Lucy Allard the years but this is his first Classic, thank you to the entire Steinman
for hosting coffee at their Tacoma which he is enjoying very much. family for their generosity.
home and leading the caravan to
Members driving non-Classics were: Writtten by Val Dickison
Mason Lake. The sun came through
Stan & Val Dickison, Kim & Norma
as guests relaxed on the Steinman’s
8 Bumper Guardian
Pacific Northwest Region - CCCA
PNR Members w/ Full Classics
2013 c w
oncourS At the ood
Hilary Barr-Parker & John Parker
Written by Kim Pierce; Photos by John Campbell 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental V-12
Lou & Bunny Berquest
1935 Pierce-Arrow 845-A Convertible Coupe
The 6th annual Concours at the
Barry & Sharon Briskman
Wood was held July 12 & 13 2013.
1947 Packard Custom Super Clipper Touring Sedan
The weather was gorgeous and
Jack Goffette
the cars on display stunning. The
1929 Rolls-Royce 20 Doctor’s Convertible
Concours is an Alderwood-Terrace
Colin & Laurel Gurnsey
Rotary Club Rotary project.
1936 Lagonda LG-45 Drophead Coupe
The Friday night Gala Auction was
Don Jensen
added for the first time this year. 1937 Cord 812 S/C Beverly
This provided a great opportunity
Ron Leventon
to learn more how the event
1934 Packard 1105 Sedan
supports carefully-chosen local, These cars are representative of what will be
Raymond & Georgia Loe
national and international charities seen at next years Concours. Peter Hageman’s
1934 Auburn 850Y Cabriolet
“Nickel Era” 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
that support youth. Recipients in
and Mike Yeakel’s “Brass Era” 1910 Buick Al McEwan
past years have been; Clothes for
model 19. 1934 Bentley 3.5 Litre Vanden Plas Tourer
Kids, Pathways for Women, The
Bruce McCaw
Homework Center, Kids Around
1934 Bentley 3.5 Litre Vanden Plas
the World, and Crista Ministries to
John & Kay McGary
name just a few.
1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Saloon
On Saturday, over 60 cars were on
Michael Peck
the greens at the Lynwood Golf
1946 Cadillac 62 Sedanette
Course. The featured marque was
Kim Pierce & Norma Sola Pierce
“All Things Italian,” including
1932 Packard 900 Coupe Roadster
some of the most exotic Italian
David Smith
cars and motorcycles in the Pacific
1938 Alfa Romeo S11 Corto Open Touring Spider
Northwest. Many of these cars are
Dennis & Darlene Sommerville
of Pebble Beach Concours quality.
1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Sedanca DeVille
PNR Members w/ Non-Classics
Arny Barer
Congratulatons to this year’s:
1964 Lotus Type 26 Elan 1600 series 1
2013 Classic Class Winners
John & Mary Campbell
1st Colin Gurnsey 1958 Austin-Healey 100M
2nd Hilary Barr/John Parker Karel Deibel
1950 Chrysler 300E Hardtop Coupe
3rd Al McEwan
Peter & Jennifer Gleeson
Two of the show-stopping Italian cars
1979 BMW M1 Procar
Thanks to PNR Member Judges
Top: 1938 Alfa Romeo S11 Corto Spyder 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird
Scott Anderson Steve Norman owned by PNR Member David Smith.
Kim Pierce & Norma Sola Pierce
Stan Dickison Don Reddaway
Bottom: 1942 Alfa Romeo 6 C 2500 SS 1962 Porsche 356B
Jerry Greenfield Bill Smallwood
Roy Magnuson Berlinetta owned by Richard Mattei of Arizona. Tom Sumner
1973 Citreon Sport Maserati Tudor
More photos from event on pages 10-11
Autumn 2013 9
2nd Place
This 1935 Pierce-Arrow 845-A is an older restoration that has been Introduced on November 2, 1935 as a 1936 model, the Lincoln
driven extensively on Pierce-Arrow tours in Alaska, Southern Zephyr was extremely modern with a low raked windscreen,
California, Nevada, and Canada. It is powered by a 400 c.i. integrated fenders, and aerodynamic design. Noted for being one of
eight-cylinder engine producing 140 hp, and has a three speed the first successful streamlined cars after Chrysler’s Airflow market
transmission. A Pierce-Arrow was featured in the movie “The failure, the car had a lower coefficient of drag than the Airflow, due
Sting.” A similar Pierce-Arrow recently sold at auction for $46,000. in part to its prow-like front-end. The Lincoln Zephyr succeeded in
reigniting sales at Lincoln dealerships in the late 1930s.
1st Place
The Rolls-Royce 25/30 built between 1936 and 1938 is an This 1936 Lagonda LG-45 is powered by a 4467 cc ohv 6-cylinder
updated version of the 20/25 with larger engine to provide Meadows engine. Of the 278 produced, only 25 were Drop Head
more power. The earlier model was often fitted with over-large Coupe (DHC), one of which you see here. Lagonda was founded
bodies, leading to the need for increased horsepower. Only the in 1906 in Staines, Middlesex, by an American, Wilbur Gunn, a
chassis and mechanical parts were made by Rolls-Royce. The former opera singer of Scotttish ancestry. During World War I,
body was made and fitted by a coachbuilder selected by the Lagonda also made artillery shells. This car won Best in Class at
owner. This car retains its original Hooper Sports Saloon body. the Pebble Beach Concours.
In 1932, Packard manufactured one-thousand 900 Light Eight This Auburn 850Y Cabriolet has been fully-restored to
Coupe Roadsters. The Roadster had an eight-cylinder engine original specifications. It has been certified by the Auburn,
that generated 110 horsepower, and sold for $1,795. Research Cord, Duesenberg Club. The original 1934 base price was
shows there are only fifty still in existence. $1,045. The car is driven regularly.
10 Bumper Guardian