132 hp, 385 cu. in. L-head inline eight-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission with freewheeling, live front and rear axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and Bendix duo-Servo mechanical brakes. Wheelbase: 142"

- Four long-term owners from new; fascinating history, including mayor “Jimmy” Walker

- Ordered new with several interesting special features

- Never completely restored; well-equipped and presented

This new-for-1931, four-passenger Pierce-Arrow Model 42 Sport Phaeton carried a considerable list price of $3,785 when new. It has had just four owners from new and is showing only about 15,000 miles, which are believed to be accurate and original. Longstanding members of the Pierce-Arrow Society know the Pierce and its provenance very well, and extensive research by the current owner strongly suggests James John “Jimmy” Walker, who was nicknamed “Beau James” and served as one of New York City’s most colorful mayors from 1926 to 1932, owned the car when it was new.

Several telltale features support its intended parade/ceremonial use. Firstly, the very distinctive two-tone Forest Green/Kelly Green exterior color scheme certainly evoked Walker’s Irish ancestry, which he proudly espoused (and his alleged ties to Tammany Hall). It was clearly outfitted for parade duty with a fold-down windshield with wind wings and aluminum framing, heavy-duty solid bumpers, a deleted rear footrest (to better allow standing) and the substitution of the usual side-mounted spare tires for a rear-mounted spare tire. This last feature is perhaps a concession to the Mayor’s somewhat smaller stature, which would certainly have been obscured by the usual (and rather massive) side-mounted spare tires of the era.

The Pierce was reportedly used to carry New York’s then-Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt and Al Smith, a former New York Governor (1923-1928), to the landmark opening of the George Washington Bridge on October 24, 1931. In anticipation of the 75th anniversary in 2006 of this historic event, employees of the New York Port Authority had contacted the current owner of the car to secure its use for the commemorative celebrations. Sadly, the owner’s contacts at the Port Authority and the information they had gathered on the Pierce and its use during the George Washington Bridge opening were lost in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York.

Following the eventual death of Mr. Walker in 1946, Ed and Dot Mueller, who eventually moved to Fort Pierce, Florida in the 1960s, acquired the unique Pierce from his estate. There, the Muellers entered the car into various shows and gave the car its only repaint. During their ownership, the car also received a new top and side curtains, with the latter stowed within the original storage case. Next, Dr. Richard Schultz of Fort Lauderdale acquired the Pierce before the current owner, a CCCA Regional Director and 50-year member of the AACA, purchased it in 1996.

Never completely restored, the Pierce is believed by the current owner to even retain its original upholstery. Recently, the wire-spoke wheels were powder-coated, the wheel trim rings were re-plated, a new set of double universal whitewall tires with new flaps and tubes was installed, and the engine received a new water-jacket cover. Numerous period features include an original Pierce-Arrow radiator stone guard, Trippe lights with leveling bubbles, rare original headlight lenses, an iconic “archer” radiator mascot, a regular hood cap, a fold-down windshield and wind wings. The side curtains, top irons and tonneau cover are all neatly stowed within a rear compartment.

This 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 42 Sport Phaeton is a fascinating example and has had just four long-term owners from new. Remarkably original, it is not only an ultra-luxurious Pierce-Arrow but one with particularly interesting provenance.