$6.3 Million worth of Corvettes donated to Pierce-Arrow

[Jeff '79]

$6.3 million worth of Corvettes donated to Pierce-Arrow | Photo Galleries | Buffalonews.com

To The Pierce Arrow Museum.
Jim Sandoro is a well known car collector around here. The museum contains a gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, whose blueprints were bought by Sandoro. Sandoro built it from Wright's prints. It was never built prior.
Man, Sandoro hit the jackpot on this one.

Home • Pierce Arrow Museum

[VatorMan]

Ok. That makes me wanna visit. I'll have to put it with my trip to WG this year.

[Tire Fryer]

I've wanted to visit for a while, as I have a 36 Pierce-Arrow limousine, now I've got more reason.

[Fasglas]

From the museum:

People were simply tougher then...

This Car Matters: Thomas Flyer, winner of the New York to Paris Race - YouTube

(No A/C, power steering, heated seats, etc. No cupholders, either. Todays "driver" would have never survived.)

[snide]

Originally Posted by Tire Fryer

I've wanted to visit for a while, as I have a 36 Pierce-Arrow limousine, now I've got more reason.

Pics?

[Milton Fox]

[Tire Fryer]

Originally Posted by snide

Pics?

Here are a few

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

Beautiful!!!

I always liked the way the PA headlights were wide-set into the fenders...

[mrvette]

Needs Capone's Tommy Gun sticking out the window......

[Jeff '79]

A bit of Pierce Arrow trivia for you.
They were made in Buffalo and were the first cars to incorporate the headlights into the fenders.



Very nice example.

[VITE1]

Next time I visit my sister I will try to visit. Looks like a great collection.

[snide]

Originally Posted by Tire Fryer

Here are a few

Awesome! Thanks for posting!

[Fasglas]

6.3 MILLION? Hmmmm...

Seems an obscene valuation, so a bit of digging found:

Pierce-Arrow museum scores a coup with $6.3 million donation of classic Corvettes - The Buffalo News

The four custom-made Corvettes, built under the legendary William Mitchell, General Motors' vice president of styling, are:

1964 New York World's Fair Mitchell Styling Corvette. The fuel-injected coupe includes enlarged front grille, large side exhaust, dual sport side-view mirrors, hood cut-out for raised fuel injection and 15 coats of candy apple red lacquer paint with matching interior.

1964 Corvette Styling Car. The car was specifically built for Chevrolet general manager and native Buffalonian Semon E. "Bunkie" Knudsen. Special features include custom-cast grille, unique front bumper treatment, custom high-back bucket seats and all-white leather trim.

1969 Elliot Forbes-Robinson #8. One of six factory-built L-88 lightweight Corvettes, this racing car went speeds of 200mphr at Daytona and won 46 of 49 starts in its heyday using a motor built in Tonawanda.

1962 Corvette #69 SCCA National Champion. This red racing car with yellow accents boasts a powerful, fuel-injected engine, heavy-duty brakes and special 4-speed transmission. The car retains its originally fabricated race modifications, including rollbar, exhaust system and oil cooler.

Noteworthy? Sure, but somewhat overpriced, IMO.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by Fasglas

6.3 MILLION? Hmmmm...

Seems an obscene valuation, so a bit of digging found:

Pierce-Arrow museum scores a coup with $6.3 million donation of classic Corvettes - The Buffalo News

The four custom-made Corvettes, built under the legendary William Mitchell, General Motors' vice president of styling, are:

1964 New York World's Fair Mitchell Styling Corvette. The fuel-injected coupe includes enlarged front grille, large side exhaust, dual sport side-view mirrors, hood cut-out for raised fuel injection and 15 coats of candy apple red lacquer paint with matching interior.

1964 Corvette Styling Car. The car was specifically built for Chevrolet general manager and native Buffalonian Semon E. "Bunkie" Knudsen. Special features include custom-cast grille, unique front bumper treatment, custom high-back bucket seats and all-white leather trim.

1969 Elliot Forbes-Robinson #8. One of six factory-built L-88 lightweight Corvettes, this racing car went speeds of 200mphr at Daytona and won 46 of 49 starts in its heyday using a motor built in Tonawanda.

1962 Corvette #69 SCCA National Champion. This red racing car with yellow accents boasts a powerful, fuel-injected engine, heavy-duty brakes and special 4-speed transmission. The car retains its originally fabricated race modifications, including rollbar, exhaust system and oil cooler.

Noteworthy? Sure, but somewhat overpriced, IMO.

I thought the same exact thing. Write-offs are a funny thing hu ?

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by Fasglas

From the museum:

People were simply tougher then...

This Car Matters: Thomas Flyer, winner of the New York to Paris Race - YouTube

(No A/C, power steering, heated seats, etc. No cupholders, either. Todays "driver" would have never survived.)

That Thomas Flyer car currently sits in the Reno Auto Museum. It shows as an unrestored barn find, although much restoration was done.

[Lakota]

In addition,

2018 GREAT RACE TO START IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK,on Saturday, June 23, 2018,

“We are pleased to be working with Jim Sandoro and the Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum to bring the Great Race to Buffalo for the start in 2018,” event director Jeff Stumb said."

link:The Great Race » 2018 Great Race to Start in Buffalo, New York

Note: saw the Great Race when they stopped for a day in Buffalo in 2012. A vehicle that was a big center of attraction was a massive yellow French car, a 1908?, with a 3 cylinder engine.

In Buffalo the building where the Pierce-Arrows were made still stands on Elmwood Ave. On Main St. an original ornate Pierce-Arrow Showroom stands and is used as a branch branch.

The building where the Thomas Flyers were built is still on Niagara St. and is used by Rich products.

[Fasglas]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...810312671).jpg

E. R. Thomas Motor Company was a manufacturer of automobiles in Buffalo, New York between 1902 and 1919. The first car was the 1902 Model 17, then the next year, the 1903 Model 18. The first Thomas Flyer was built in 1904. This Model 35 Thomas Flyer won the 1908 New York to Paris Automobile Race, they travelled 22,000 miles over land and sea taking 169 days. Only 3 of the 6 cars finished, 2nd was a German Protos and 3rd an Italian Zust. Thomas automobile sales increased due to the race win, but they went into receivership in 1912 This car was in very poor condition, when purchased by Bill Harrah, he restored the car to as it finished the race in 1908 Engine; 60hp 571 cu in 4 cyl On display at the National Automobile Museum, Reno

[7t9l82]

I saw the Thomas flyer years ago at the Harrah's collection, looked very much the same. Very historic automobile as they said back then .my dad always used the term automobile he was born in 1923 I don't know where or when car came into the vocabulary.

[8Up]

I went there with my brother a few years ago, it was a great visit. Have to go back in the fall I think.