 For the first two decades of the Twentieth Century, of the so-called "Three Ps of Motordom", Pierce-Arrow was arguably at the pinnacle of that small list. Earlier known best for household goods such ornate, gilded bird cages, bathtubs, and ice boxes, by 1905 Pierce was among the very finest motorcars in the world, as demonstrated by a Pierce Great Arrow winning the first-ever Glidden Trophy that year... as well as the next four years in a row! The list of notable Pierce-Arrow owners included presidents, kings, shahs, and, of course, movie stars, all of whom probably weren't unhappy that the marque's distinctive fender-mounted headlamps made them instantly identifiable. Few cars of the Teens and Twenties were built as well and one reason was the company's use of 1/8 inch thick cast aluminum body panels from 1904 through 1920, a technology that was unique to Pierce. On June 2, at Bonham's Greenwich Concours auction, this 1919 Pierce-Arrow Series 31 seven-passenger tourer will go across the block. Carrying a T-head, 24 valve, dual ignition, 415 cubic inch six cylinder motor, rated at a taxable 38 horsepower, it has the smallest engine in the Pierce line-up (which included 48 HP and 66 HP engines, the latter having a massive 825 cubic inch displacement!) but its actual output of nearly 75 HP at 2,200 RPM combined with a four-speed gearbox provided more than ample performance for the time. This particular vehicle was used in the 1950 film, "Cheaper by the Dozen", a biography of the famous time and motion expert Frank B. Gilbreth, who preferred Pierce-Arrows for their high quality and ability to safely transport his conspicusously large family. (photos courtesy of Bonhams) |
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Not a gilded cage, but a nickeled one
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