 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |
1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 54 news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Club Brougham |
However, by the mid 1920's Pierce was not keeping up with other makers, and its most powerful engine was a 6-cylinder design. By 1928, the company was bought by Studebaker, and with the resulting infusion of capital was able to develop a new line of cars and powertrains. In 1929 a new 8-cylinder engine was introduced and customers responded by rewarding Pierce-Arrow with its highest sales year to date. 'Pierce' was back in a big way, and the models of the 1930's are some of the best of the classic era. However, the economic chaos of the time caught up with Pierce-Arrow, and it was sold again in 1933. Production began to wind down and ceased for good in 1938.
The Pierce-Arrow featured is a Model 54 Club Brougham with a 125 horsepower, 8-cylinder engine. This model sports classic Pierce-Arrow styling with its fender mounted lights and 'V' shaped grill. The close-coupled Club Brougham style typifies the illustrious nature of this marque.
Pierce-Arrow sales of all models numbered only 2,152 units, nearly 1,000 less than the company's break even point.
The Pierce Arrow is one of the great early American automotive producers. Their first offering was the Great Arrow, followed by such greats as the 36, 48, and 66. Their cars were renowned for their quality, durability and style. Their massive engines easily carried the stately bodies in luxury and comfort. The 1920's were rough for the Pierce Arrow Company. The company had been content with their style and their engines. As a result, did not keep up with the changing market trends and new inventions. Before long, they were offering outdated engines and finding it hard to compete.
By 1928 the Pierce-Arrow Company had changed ownerships to Mr. Albert R. Erskine, the President of Studebaker. Under his direction, new engines, features and bodies were introduced. By 1929, the company had regained momentum and had sold nearly 10,000 vehicles that year. The Great Depression was a difficult time for many businesses, even Pierce-Arrow.
In 1931 Pierce-Arrow added a V-12 engine to their offerings.
In 1933 Phil Wright was tasked with creating a new design. The resulting vehicle was shown at the 1933 New York Auto Show and Chicago where it received high praise from spectators and press. Development began on the Silver Arrow and offered for sale at $10,000, a rather high sticker price at the time. This would prove to be too high for consumers and only five were ever created. The new design was important in that it propagated to the rest of the Pierce-Arrow models. The styling was popular and the company's prospects began to rise once again. Their prosperity was short-lived and by 1938 the company was out of business.
This 1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 54 Club Brougham carried a cost of $3000 when new. It has chassis number 1050728 and has a 336 cubic-inch straight-eight engine that is capable of 125 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.
It was auction at the 2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook where it was estimated to fetch between $55,000 - $75,000. It sold for $57,200.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
By 1928 the Pierce-Arrow Company had changed ownerships to Mr. Albert R. Erskine, the President of Studebaker. Under his direction, new engines, features and bodies were introduced. By 1929, the company had regained momentum and had sold nearly 10,000 vehicles that year. The Great Depression was a difficult time for many businesses, even Pierce-Arrow.
In 1931 Pierce-Arrow added a V-12 engine to their offerings.
In 1933 Phil Wright was tasked with creating a new design. The resulting vehicle was shown at the 1933 New York Auto Show and Chicago where it received high praise from spectators and press. Development began on the Silver Arrow and offered for sale at $10,000, a rather high sticker price at the time. This would prove to be too high for consumers and only five were ever created. The new design was important in that it propagated to the rest of the Pierce-Arrow models. The styling was popular and the company's prospects began to rise once again. Their prosperity was short-lived and by 1938 the company was out of business.
This 1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 54 Club Brougham carried a cost of $3000 when new. It has chassis number 1050728 and has a 336 cubic-inch straight-eight engine that is capable of 125 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.
It was auction at the 2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook where it was estimated to fetch between $55,000 - $75,000. It sold for $57,200.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
 |  | Club Berline |
An in-line, 8-cylinder, 366 cubic inch engine developing 125 horsepower powers the car. The 1932 model year was the first to offer V-12 engines.
The car rests on a 137-inch wheelbase, weighs 4,747 pounds and sold for $2,850. A total of 2,481 vehicles were produced in 1932.
 |  |  | Dual Windshield Phaeton Coachwork: Brunn |
Pierce started producing automobiles in Buffalo in 1901, and quickly became one of America's most prestigious makes in the early 20th century. It made a name for itself when its Great Arrows dominated the Glidden Tours, an early road rally series. Pierce-Arrow and other luxury stalwarts, Packard and Peerless, became collectively known as the 'Three P's of Motordom.'
However, by the mid 1920's Pierce was not keeping up with other makers, and its most powerful engine was a 6-cylinder design. By 1928, the company was bought by Studebaker, and with the resulting infusion of capital was able to develop a new line of cars and powertrains. In 1929 a new 8-cylinder engine was introduced and customers responded by rewarding Pierce-Arrow with its highest sales year to date. 'Pierce' was back in a big way, and the models of the 1930's are some of the best of the classic era. However, the economic chaos of the time caught up with Pierce-Arrow, and it was sold again in 1933. Production began to wind down and ceased for good in 1938.
The Pierce-Arrow featured is a Model 54 Club Brougham with a 125 horsepower, 8-cylinder engine. This model sports classic Pierce-Arrow styling with its fender mounted lights and 'V' shaped grill. The close-coupled Club Brougham style typifies the illustrious nature of this marque.
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Coachwork: LeBaron Chassis Num: 231676 |
| Sold for $77,000 at 2009 Gooding & Company. Sold for $126,500 at 2009 RM Auctions. Sold for $143,000 at 2013 Gooding & Company. | |||
This Convertible Sedan Model 54 is painted in soft yellow with butterscotch trim. There is a black interior, a 316 cubic-inch L-head eight-cylinder engine, and a four-speed selective sliding manual gearbox. There is the proper Delco-Remy distributor, Edison spark plugs and the Bendix Startix automatic starter, which had been added to the Pierce-Arrow line in 1932. There are dual side-mount spares and a rear-mounted trunk. The car rides on 18-inch Budd steel artillery wheels with the Pierce 8 hubcaps. The hood emblem is the archer mascot with the W.N. Schnell name imprinted on the base.
Inside, there is a lever for the freewheeling ride control and one for the ride-control shock absorbers. The rear compartment is spacious and comfortable with armrests and ashtrays.
In 2009, this Model 54 was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona where it was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $70,000 - $90,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $77,000 including buyer's premium.
Later in the year, it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $125,000 - $150,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $126,500, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Coachwork: LeBaron Chassis Num: 105843 |
| Sold for $88,000 at 2010 RM Auctions. | |||
This car has an older ground-up restoration, which still shows well in modern times. It is finished in pewter, complemented by a deep brown beltline, fenders and wheels, as well as orange pin-striping. It shows some cracking and chipping, particularly in the higher-stress areas.
Period features include dual spares with metal covers and jewel-like chrome-plated rear view mirrors, wooden artillery wheels, whitewall tires and a rear-mounted luggage trunk. There are period features such as a correct cluster-type taillight and a pair of chrome-plated external horns. The car has less than 87,000 miles. The engine is a 366 cubic-inch, side-valve eight-cylinder engine delivering 125 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel servo-assisted mechanical drum brakes.
This Convertible Sedan is a former Classic Car Club of America National First Prize-winner.
In 2010, this Model 54 Pierce-Arrow was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $75,000 - $100,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $88,000, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010
 |  |  | Dual Windshield Phaeton Coachwork: Brunn |
Beginning in 1909, Pierce-Arrow became known as the car of Presidents when President Taft used one for official occasions. This practice continued until the last Pierces were ordered in 1935. In 1914, Pierce-Arrow introduced integral fender headlamps as an option which became the most recognized design cue for Pierce-Arrows for the rest of the company's history.
The Model 54 body was built by Pierce-Arrow, but designed by coachbuilder Brunn. It rides on a 137 inch wheelbase chassis and is powered by a 366 cubic-inch straight 8-cylinder engine producing 125 horsepower. The car weighed 4,747 lbs and sold for $2,850. Pierce built 2,482 cars in 1932. This body has roll-up windows in the front and side curtains for the rear compartment. A second windshield shields the rear passengers from the wind.
This car was owned by noted San Antonio artist, S.P. Stevens for many years before selling it to aerospace engineering pioneer and inventor, Dee Howard. This car is the last of only 19 of this body style produced by Pierce-Arrow in 1932.
 | Convertible Sedan Coachwork: LeBaron |
 |  |  | Club Brougham Chassis Num: 1050728 |
| Sold for $57,200 at 2006 RM Auctions. Sold for $57,200 at 2012 RM Auctions. | |||
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the St. Johns sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $57,200 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012
| Auctions America's 2013 Auburn Spring Event Offers Ultimate Collector Car Weekend | |
 | • Auctions America presents the first of two annual Auburn sales, May 9 – 11 at historic Auburn Auction Park in Auburn, Indiana • Multi-day sale lifts gavel on 600 quality collector cars and an assortment of memorabilia • Notable early highlights include selection of Hudsons from the respected John Soneff Collection • Weekend also features inaugural Antique Automobile Club of America Central Division National Spring Meet, and an extensive car corral and swap meet presented by Carlisle Events...[Read more...] |
| 2013 Australian Grand Prix - Preview | |
 | The 2013 Formula One championship gets underway in Melbourne next week with the first race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, held at the Albert Park circuit in the city. For MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, 2013 sees an exciting new driver pairing with Lewis Hamilton joining the team to partner Nico Rosberg at the wheel of the Silver Arrows cars. • The Safety Car has been deployed in six of the last ten races in Melbourne - including four of the last five • Mercedes-Benz power has won four of ...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz Classic at the 2012 Grossglockner Grand Prix | |
 | • Revival of the mountain race from the 1930s • Mercedes-Benz SSK and W 125 at the start • 92 bends, 14 hairpins, 15 kilometres and a 1300-metre altitude difference The Grossglockner mountain race was one of the most prestigious motor sports events of the 1930s. This year it will be revived with the 2012 Grossglockner Grand Prix to be held from 20 to 22 September 2012 and Mercedes-Benz will be there with some famous cars. In 1938, the brand took part for the first time. As a classic c...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz at Pebble Beach: An Expression of Fascinating Design and Innovation | |
 | • Historical Tribute to SL: W194 Chassis No. 2, 7 and 11 among 300SL vehicles on display • The Concept Style Coupé opens a new chapter and generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles • AMG 45 year anniversary highlights the pinnacle of performance and style A tribute to Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters is set for Pebble Beach weekend with three 1952 W194 vehicles among a mix of vintage and new vehicles bearing the three-pointed star that express the marque's breadth and depth of fascinating design and ...[Read more...] |
| Home again: the last Auto Union Type D twin-supercharger Silver Arrow returns to Audi | |
 | • Audi Tradition buys back the second 'Karassik restoration' car • Auto Union Type D built in 1939, then lost in the USSR for many years • Thomas Frank, Head of Audi Tradition: 'One of the most emotional moments in our heritage work for AUDI AG' 'This is one of the most emotional moments in our heritage work for AUDI AG – we have come full circle,' says Thomas Frank, Head of Audi Tradition. A few weeks ago, the car manufacturer was able to repurchase an extremely rare...[Read more...] |
 1932
Pierce-Arrow
models |
| Pierce Arrow Model 53 |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1932 |
| Packard Model 902 Eight ($2,655-$3,450) |
| REO 8-35 Royale ($2,445-$3,000) |
| Chrysler Series CL Imperial ($2,895-$3,595) |
| Stutz Model DV-32 ($2,804-$7,643) |
Average Auction Sale: $68,025 |
| Pierce-Arrow: 1931-1940 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Pierce-Arrow History |
| Other models by Pierce-Arrow |
| 38 | Model 36 | Model 43 | Model 48 | Model 66 | Model 80/81 | Series 33 | Twelve |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
