Pierce Arrow Model B, 1930 Model B Pictures, News, Reviews, and Info | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Wallpaper, Pricing, Information, History

Overview

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Roadster

In order to stimulate declining sales in this depression year, Pierce-Arrow offered three different eight-cylinder engines and two wheelbase lengths. Despite the variety of models offered, sales began a decline which was to continue. This examples is on the 139-inch wheelbase with a straight-eight engine. It has been recently restored with new paint, the interior is original. A five-passenger sedan, it has been shown at national Pierce-Arrow exhibitions.

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Five-Passenger Sedan
Chassis Num: 123379
Engine Num: 200425

The low-priced Series 80 helped boost sales of Pierce-Arrow cars to an impressive number of over 5000 vehicles. Even with this boost, the company was financially unstable. Competition from other automakers was continuing to escalate and Pierce-Arrow had to continually introduce new engines and models to remain competitive. This meant the resources available dwindled and eventually led to an alliance with Studebaker. The union seemed appropriate, as Studebaker's president, Albert Russell Erskine, had a long desire with offering a luxury model. For Pierce-Arrow, the marriage between the two companies meant that Studebaker's large cash-reserve would help it stay afloat for the years to come. Studebaker supplied the funds to Pierce-Arrow to introduce a new model; one powered by a new eight-cylinder engine.

The engine was a much needed item for Pierce-Arrow. It featured an L-head design and an overall weight that was a hundred pounds lighter than the T-head six it was replacing. It had 25 percent more power, offering 125 horsepower to the rear wheels.

1929 became the best year for Pierce-Arrow, with 8,000 cars sold. This landmark achievement was met with a cloudy outlook on the future of the economy, as the Great Depression came into effect. The economy was suffering, which meant competition would increase as the pool of potential buyers able to purchase these high-priced luxury automobiles would soon decrease.

For 1930 Pierce introduced the A, B, and C models. The A was the largest and most expensive, while the C was the cheapest of the three. Customers had four wheelbase sizes to select from, including 132, 134, 139 and 144 inches. The Model B could be purchased on two wheelbases, including 139-inches. Three engine sizes were offered by Pierce during 1930, including a 365-6 cubic-inch unit that produced 125 horsepower. This engine could be found in the Model B. The Model A was given a 384.8 cubic-inch engine that produced 132 horsepower. The Model C had a 340 cubic-inch engine and 115 horsepower. Pricing was from the mid-$2600's to just over $8000.

This particular Model B Five-Passenger Sedan was offered for sale at the 2008 Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions. The estimated value was set at $50,000 - $75,000. It is finished in black paint with white pin striping. The L-head eight-cylinder engine is mated to a three-speed manual gearbox with four-wheel mechanical brakes providing the stopping power. There are dual sidemounted spares and a trunk rack at the rear. The interior features crimson mohair and newly refinished wood trim. The car has traveled a total of 47,791 miles during its lifetime.

It is estimated that a total of 3640 Model B cars were produced in 1930. This example found a buyer willing to part with $88,000 including buyer's premium.

Convertible Victoria
Coachwork: Waterhouse

Mr. Waterhouse, the owner of the automobile, is the Grandson of Charles L. Waterhouse, one of the founders of the Waterhouse Custom Body Co. The car is a 1930 Pierce Arrow, 8, Model B Convertible Victoria with Waterhouse coachwork.

The story of the car begins in 1940 when it was purchased by Mr. F. Porter Sargent in New England. The car had been used frequently by Mr. Sargent as a family vehicle to transport the family to various functions and tour the New England States. After Mr. Sargents' death, the car had remained in the family for many years.

Mrs. Sargent attempted to have the car restored, but due to bad health of the restorer the project was terminated and the parts were packed away in boxes.

The car remained disassembled for 15 plus years until Mr. Waterhouse found out about the car and contacted the Sargent family about a possible acquisition of the car. He purchased the car in 2004 and the restoration was just recently completed.

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Cabriolet

In 1928 Pierce-Arrow merged with Studebaker. Sales doubled in 1929 but the long-term problem for Pierce-Arrow - and all luxury automobile manufacturers - was the troubled American economy. By 1938 Pierce-Arrow closed its doors.

However, during the 1930's the company continued to build some of the finest cars in the world. Pierce-Arrow never compromised its quality, even as sales declined.

This sporty Model B Cabriolet sold new for approximately $3,500 in 1931. It was built on a 139-inch wheelbase chassis powered by a 125 horsepower straight eight motor.

The Pierce-Arrow was a leading luxury nameplate in the early American automobile industry. George Pierce had started by the manufacturing of household items such as iceboxes, bathtubs, and birdcages and later bicycles. He later experimented with automobile production using popular power sources such as steam. A Scottish engineer named David Fergusson was brought in to help with the developmental aspects of engine design and production. The first successful Pierce automobile, a Motorette, was in 1901 and featured a single-cylinder DeDion engine producing nearly 3 horsepower. By 1903 the Pierce automobiles were powered by their own engines that they had designed and manufactured.

By the early 1910's Pierce was using exotic metals such as aluminum that not only was light-weight but was also very rigid. Pierce-Arrows were also known for their 'frog eye' appearance, named after their use of headlight integration into the fenders.

The company endured World War I and by the 1920's, competition had become pretty fierce. Not only were many marques furthering their development on new technology, but they continued to produce stylish and modern designs. Pierce-Arrow was a strong believer in their six-cylinder engine while other manufacturers were using more powerful and tunable eight-cylinder engines. The Pierce-Arrow design did not change drastically during the 1920s, another potential reason for their ultimate demise.

The onset of the Great Depression and problems with management prompted a merge with Studebaker. A short time later the Pierce-Arrows were being equipped with eight-cylinder engines which helped stimulate sales. By the early 1930s a 12-cylinder could be found in the Pierce-Arrows. Their engines were strong and powerful, capturing over 13 speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

In 1933, Pierce-Arrow and Studebaker were both feeling the effects of the Depression. Studebaker was forced to sell Pierce-Arrow. The company was again rescued; this time by a group of Buffalo based investors. With this new life provided to Pierce-Arrow they were able to produce an improve model-line-up for 1935 and again in 1937.

The Packard Company was managing to stay afloat by creating a lower-cost line that appealed to a broader market segment and had increased revenue and sales. Pierce-Arrow attempted to mimic their achievement by introducing the low-priced One-Twenty model. The move may have worked if it had been done earlier, and Pierce-Arrow was forced to cease production in 1938. On Friday, May 13th the company was sold at auction.

This 1930 Pierce-Arrow Model B Roadster carried a $2975 factory price tag. It was equipped with an eight-cylinder 366 cubic-inch engine capable of producing a respectable 125 horsepower. The front headlights are integrated into the front fenders and a covered, side mounted spare wheel can be found located in front of the drivers side door.

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Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles	Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival	Automobiles of Amelia Island, RM Auctions	Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance
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