1934 Pierce-Arrow Model 840A Convertible Sedan

George N. Pierce began manufacturing bathtubs, birdcages, and iceboxes in 1878. A line of children's tricycles and adult bicycles soon followed. Mr. Pierce built his first horseless carriage in 1901. When Pierce Arrow fell into financial trouble, Studebaker purchased it for $5.7 million and became the fourth-largest auto manufacturer in the United States. Studebaker sold Pierce Arrow to a group of private investors in 1933 for $1 million.

In 1933 Pierce-Arrow was the highlight of the New York Auto Show with its futuristic Silver-Arrow design. To capitalize on that success, the model 840A was introduced in 1934 but, due to the poor economic climate that year, only around 1,740 Pierce-Arrows were sold across all series. The 840A is equipped with a 385 cubic-inch, 8-cylinder engine producing 140 horsepower, paired with a 3-speed manual gearbox and 4-wheel drum brakes.


Pierce Arrow offered four different model lines in 1934. The 840A's were the most popular with 654 being produced. The various models sold at prices between $2,795 and $4,995.

Redesigned taillights replaced the traditional Pierce-Arrow triple taillight. The new taillights were molded into the rear fenders and their appearance mimicked the front-mounted headlights.

This particular Model 840A is believed to be the last LeBaron convertible sedan built by Pierce-Arrow. It was purchased off the New York City showroom floor by Mrs. Jean Rolston Peacock. She was the wife of Clarence Peacock who had amassed a $15 million fortune from working in the steel industry for Andrew Carnegie. She gave the car to her son, Alex R. Peacock, who owned it until 1949. This car is finished in Pierce Arrow Thessalon Green and Black with a complementing leather interior.

Its current owner bought the car in 2013, and at 92 years young, having retired as Editor at Road & Track magazine, he embarked upon the car's restoration - and the car garnered the 2015 Bernard Weis Trophy for most authentically restored Pierce-Arrow.