The Pierson ’36

You most likely know Bob Pierson’s name from his savagely fast and just as beautiful ’34 coupe that was at one time the fastest closed car in America. However, before Bob built that legendary coupe he had his hand in another. In fact, Bob was just seventeen years old and attending Inglewood High in 1943 when he began to dream up a ’36 Ford competition coupe. It wasn’t long before Bob found a ’36, started collecting parts, and was well on his way to a boyhood hero status.

Then, freedom rang… Bob joined the Air Corps, sold his project, and found himself stationed in Denver, Colorado. While still on active duty, he started dreaming again and this time, he couldn’t shake it. Another ’36 was found, more parts were collected, and a pal was brought on to help see the plan through – Bobbie Meeks.

Together, the two Bobs (Oh, I wouldn’t say I’ve been ‘missing work’ Bob!) worked on the coupe for a little over two years. By 1948 they were ready to go racing. At their first Russetta Meet, they managed to clock 107 mph. Undaunted and ready for more, the fellas keep going back and before long the big coupe was clocking well over 120 mph and taking home records.

The rest, as they say, is history. The ’36 would eventually reach its potential from a competition stand-point and Bob moved on to smaller and much faster things. Delegated to civilian life, the sharp white coupe became a tow car and a push start for the legendary coupe that followed it. Somehow, that’s fitting…

I’m not sure if anyone knows where the car is today.

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