1919 Arbuckle Pierce-Arrow has arrived!
This incredible 1919 Pierce-Arrow 66 A-4 Touring car recently arrived at the collection after making an appearance at the 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The car was custom-built for vaudevillian and early motion picture star, Roscoe C. “Fatty” Arbuckle. The coachwork was a very early design by a young Harley J. Earl for Don Lee Coachbuilders in southern California. Earl would eventually move on to a stellar design career at General Motors. The chassis has a 147.5″ wheelbase and 36″ tires. The gas tank holds 32 gallons since the car seldom got more than 4 miles to the gallon.
Though we are temporarily closed due to the recommendations of the CDC, we will be open again soon and you will be able to see this beauty in person! Stay tuned to our social media and web page for updates!
I saw this car at the Gilmore Museum two weeks ago. It is massive! I noticed that the tires are goodrich 36 x 7. I tried to find the physical tire size by checking goodrich and coker tires. Closest I could find was at goodrich who has molds for 36 x 5 tires. Checking around today I found a site that said this car has 24 inch wheels and 36 inch tires. Just wondering if you have the physical tire diameter. Beautiful car. Watched Leno drive his 1916 66A but there was no attribute to Harley Earl. What a great career he had.
We are pleased you were able to see the car there! The dimensions we have documented are 38″, basically massive! The car has such a great story regarding Fatty Arbuckle and Harley Earl, we were pleased to share it with our friends at the Pierce Arrow Museum.