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First car radio for a car was made and sold in 1922, it was the size of the entire trunk that fits on a rack, for large cars. The trunk radio opened up into a table and stand, with long wires to allow the speakers to be 40 feet from the car. In the ad I have of it, a Springfield Rolls Royce is showen. No price was listed, bit my guess is 400 to 600 dollars. Radios were very expensive till mid 1933, then they got cheap……..real fast. Most early ones have a key to turn on to prevent children on the side walk turning it on to listen to the ball game and running down the battery. I have see one car the radio was locked and controlled from the rear seat, to keep the driver from listening to it while working / detailing / or waiting for the owner. The above radio looks like a nice aftermarket unit of about 1931 or 1932, but that is just a guess. Pierce Arrow dealers had Philco radios to sell, as they can be seen in the accessory catalog. I have several, and the “real ones” have a Pierce Arrow key. Philco was also installed by Loncoln, and a lot of other high end cars. One little trick, buy an early head and a later radio, as radios built after 1935 are much better units, the head will still work, and the box looks almost identical on the Philco.
From the ones I have seen, I can think of three of them, they started with an entire car and modified it from there. The build quaility was very good.
The car needs a total restoration, we estimated 600k to take it up to Pebble quaility.
Dave is correct, all the phaetons had them.
The car is no longer with us, but the parts are. Call John Cislak if you need something from this car.
I ran a home made ground harness to all my lights when we restored my 1936 1602 club sedan. With all the paint on the car it just seemed easier to do. It worked out well, and the wires are all run where you can’t see them as Greg explained in his detailed post. Ed.
Dim lights are caused by a bad ground. Often paint on the fenders causes problems. Run a jumper wire from the light housing to another good known ground and see if it gets brighter. A bad ground will cause high amperage loads, so be careful.
I only know of two mechanical pins, mine and yours.
Sorry for the above spelling and missing letters in the text, I am on the road and typing from a phone that I can hardly see! Ed.
I have extensive records of all the correct engine and chassis numbers, as well as the ownership history of all the cars built. (Custom Silver Arrow) From delivery city and first owners, and subsequent owners. I can not share them as I promised to keep them to myself. The PAS society records have some errors in the numbers, probably form being transcribed incorrectly. There are still many interesting questions unanswered. The Red speedster has a rather well known and understood history, not much mystery to it, just many historians who do t want to be hassled by posting or publishing it’s true origins. It does not belong in any discussion of Custom Silver Arrows, weather or not you believe the motor is in fact a Pierce car engine that has a special serial number, or if it is just another rest stamped Seagrave as some have reported. I have never seen the car in person, so I can’t comment on the engine and the numbers. I have seen extensive photos on the car and its chassis, and have formed an opinion on it. Like many others, I find it is not worth my while to debate it. Most importantly, a Pierce Custom Silver Arrow is one of the top world class sedans of any era. The price estimate of the auction catalog verifies this. There are not a total of ten four door cars on the planet that could come close to numbers like those posted on a car that need a restoration. Ed
Dave, I do not track these cars myself. I have spoken to someone who has files on all the cars. I will contact him tomorrow and get an answer if the car in California is the Derro’s car. I am on the road so I don’t have any notes or files with me. Ed
Not sure as to numbers, but contact with the family and caretaker clearly stated the car was still in the garage last month.
Norm is the best!
Tom Derro’s car is still in the garage as of last month. According to two different people I have spoken to. Both of whom I trust and believe. Ed.
I agree with Dave on the Kouri car. Quite a bit of it is Cadillac. With no history it is what it is……an unknown assembly of parts.
Hi John, no it was done when the rear door was installed.
Stu, many people who are not the “club” type collectors don’t want photos or numbers taken off their car. If and when I am able to post photos I will. I probably have photos of another dozen barn finds over the last ten years we couldn’t buy, or the price was not realistic.
One last note, three for three were unknown to the club. Interesting how many “new”” cars are turning up.”
Last one, left rear door panel. Car was highly finished and detailed, padded roof and wire wheels. Very well done. Car was cut into a rear loading flower delivery car according to the owner. The job was done poorly. Sadly, the car was driven into another barn 50 years ago, then it fell in on the car, long term exposure to the elements finished it off in less than 5 years. The photos of it when it was put away show a very nice driver. Poor storage ruins another car.
Body tag,
