Charlie Chaplin Owned 1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133
We’ve featured several cars over the years at Barn Finds that have celebrity ties, and it’s always fun to check out not only what sort of automobiles the stars choose but also to see what our readers have to say about whether or not a well-known former driver affects the overall value of a vehicle. Today’s famous owner goes way back to the days of silent films, as Charlie Chaplin once owned this rare 1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133 here on eBay. This one’s a stunning example and priced accordingly, with a buy-it-now tag of $99,500. It’s presently located in Costa Mesa, California, and there’s also the option to submit an offer if you’re finding the nearly hundred grand cost a bit optimistic.
Born in 1889, Charlie Chaplin didn’t have the luxury of using his voice to make audiences laugh during his early films, but his antics were amusing enough to make him an icon during the silent movie era. The story goes that Charlie purchased this Pierce-Arrow around the same time the Great Depression began, spending $8,000 on it while numerous other actors seemingly lost their fortunes overnight. The Pierce-Arrow company itself fell victim to financial hardships and ceased operations in 1938.
The history we get about the Pierce-Arrow is it was eventually sold and out of the public eye for years, but at some point, went through a no-expense-spared frame-off restoration, with the most recent sale back in 2001 when the Automotive Road Of Dreams Museum of Southern California purchased it. Once the facility closed in 2005, the owner sold every other car in his possession, but he’s finally ready to part with his favorite. The quality of workmanship from every angle here speaks for itself, with the condition remaining strong enough to be the centerpiece of whatever collection this one ends up in next.
1929 was a pivotal year for the manufacturer, as the previous 6-cylinder engine was eliminated and replaced with a new 366 cubic-inch straight-8. The fresh powerplant offered 125 horsepower and became known for its smoothness, with plenty of low-end torque thanks in part to the 4.23 rear axle. I’m guessing this one hasn’t had very much run-time as of late, but everything under the hood seems dry and in good working order in case anybody asks to go for a ride around the block.
For a car nearly a century old, this one not only looks comfortable, but the interior’s condition seems about as good as the outside appearance. Plus, the rear occupants have their own separate windshield and concealed leg areas. This was pure period luxury, and I’m sure Charlie’s acquaintances all wanted to be seen in his Pierce-Arrow, so who knows what famous DNA can be found inside here. There’s not much question that this one’s pristine, I’m just curious how much the celebrity status here adds to the car’s value, other than being a great conversation starter. What are your thoughts?
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Comments
If only they still had the original child’s car seat Chaplin used on date night.
Very tacky comment . . . surprised it still is up considering the “RULES”.
Very moronic comment … also surprised!
Despite the judge’mental’ comments the fact remains, it’s true!
Beautiful automobile, the craftsman that built them were a special breed. Hard to imagine today that something like this was built with such quality and pride. Today’s cars are faster, more efficient but quality, they have nothing on this old gal.
It used to be pride in craftsmanship. Now, what’s bottom line?
Built only for profit is the ongoing approach.
Put it together (mostly) and get it out the door.
People often blame the workers, but is management and/or shareholders that matter.
They use the technicians for r@d And don’t pay them fairly for figuring it out
since many of his movies were silent back in the day … I assume this is an EV and very quiet to drive. :-)
I wonder if anyone under 40 know who this person is?
Very Nice looking vehicle. Love it..
Wow. Ive only had the opportunity to see a handful of Pierce Arrows in person in my life. They are truly special cars that were overbuilt. The quality, and luxury these and other automakers such as: Packards, Duesenburgs, Auburns, Cords, Cadillac and others are unfortunately of a bygone era that I doubt we’ll see ever again.
Charlie who? Don’t laugh, but back then, he was the, let’s see, who today could we compare him too? Mmm-hmm, I thought so, the answer is nobody. Movies were in their infancy and times were tough. He depicted the common man, and his “Tramp” or “Little Tramp”, rocketed him to stardom. People could connect with him and his wacky situations. His net worth in the height of the depression, was over $50 million. While that doesn’t sound like a lot today, he was one of the richest actors in Hollywood. It enabled him to buy the utmost in motorcars of the time, the P-A. It’s dripping with glitz( need more headlights, Chuck?) and pretty much was designed that way. People expected someone like Charlie Chapman to arrive at some gala event in Hollywood, in a Pierce-Arrow. He wasn’t alone, and the list of owners is powerfully impressive. Mostly, presidents, or Vice presidents of successful companies. Old timers like me, almost get goose bumps looking at this outstanding full classic. Apparently, I AM alone, as not one bid. To many up and comers, it’s just an old car owned by some relic grandpa used to listen to on the Victrola. What’s going to happen to this magnificent pieces of history? Well, it may take a few generations, but someone, someday will see what beautiful cars they were.
Sadly I think this masterpiece of motorcraft will not see the 100K which is the proposed price. The people who would pay that kind of price and the people who would at least appreciate this car are vanishing daily.
Chaplin was mostly known for driving Bentleys. I wonder what documentation exists tying this to the actor?
Chaplin’s last important car, in Switzerland, was a 1964 S3 Bentley, basically a Roll-Royce Silver Cloud. In the mid 70’s I accompanied my father as lookey-loos to a warehouse sale on Sunset Blvd. near Western Avenue. The old Fox Studios was about to be demolished. This sale may have had something to do with that? Inside was a Springfield, American-made Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost “playboy roadster.” This was originally owned by Chaplin and was either in the Barbra Streisand film “Funny Lady” or a near duplicate was? Also for sale was Tyrone Power’s white Rolls-Royce Phantom II, possible Gurney-Nutting coach work, English license, perhaps faux, TP 1, and the black ’47/’48 Lincoln Continental driven by Bette Davis in “What Ever Happened To Baby Jane ” Erroneously referred to as a 1940 in the campy film. Not sure how much these sold for, or where they went? There were pockets of these collectible cars all over Los Angeles, rented for films and TV. Movie Land in Buena Park had a huge collection, sadly broken up.
Fantastic vehicle. Since it is a dual cowl car my thought is that Mr. Chaplin probably sat in the back and was driven by a chauffeur. The seller also states that Andy Granatelli owned this car. I can guarantee you that nobody under fifty knows who he was either. But provenance aside; the market for these showpieces is thinning. If and when it sells it will probably sit in another collection. In a way it’s a shame that this wonderful road car will never again spend time actually being driven unless Jay Leno buys it.
Seems odd they are trying to sell this car on EBay . . . the price seems low for what it is regardless of whether Charlie Chaplin owned the car.
A lot of people say these wonderful old cars belong in a museum. Unfortunately that is the case with a lot of them, and consequently most young people today will never see such machines. But these olde beauties were built to be driven. Fortunately there are still sparks of life and growing ever so slowly in the interest in the early automotive world. These groups get their cars out and drive them as they were ment to be driven, even if they are over 100 years old. We show and tell and have a blast doing it, and the public (including pre teen boys and ‘girls’) seam to learn from it and enjoy themselves. Why not buy an older relic and join the fun?
Id love to own it but I can’t seem to scrape up the 99k.
There are many that would love to be this car’s care taker but simply cannot afford the ask and that will not change, only the price.
Surprised that someone in the Chaplin family still doesn’t own it. With a large family and still working in the film industry it seems someone in the family would want to keep it. But I guess it was probably one of many family cars that Charlie bought.
Spectacular example of a beautiful machine for a long lost era. My late Brother in Law restored two Pierces and a bevy of other notable vehicles. Pierce-Arrow made truly amazing automobiles.
Point of order: the eBay listing identifies the car as a “”Dual Cowl Phaeton Roadster”. It is in fact simply a “Dual Cowl Phaeton”- not a Roadster by any means. GLWTS
I’m not sure it adds a lot being Charlie Chaplains car, but if you want a top price, you could at least get a damp rag and wipe all the dust off, or even take it outside of the garage it’s stored in. I’ll never understand people who try to sell six or seven figure cars with photos I wouldn’t use to sell a Yugo.
The other question with an exotic this age, where are you going to take it when something needs fixing. At 73, I still ‘get out and get under’ but my knowledge only goes so far…..