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1930 Pierce-Arrow Model B news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Sedan Chassis Num: 123379 Engine Num: 200425 |
| Sold for $88,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. Sold for $44,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. | |||
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.
In 2009, the car was brought to the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $500,000 - $60,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot was sold for the sum of $44,000, including buyer's premium.
 |  |  | Roadster |
 |  |  | Convertible Victoria Coachwork: Waterhouse Chassis Num: 2502227 Engine Num: 202028 |
| Sold for $352,000 at 2013 Gooding & Company. | |||
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 completed in 2008.
In 1865, Pierce Arrow was founded in Buffalo, New York as a diversified manufacturer. The first car was built in 1901 and in 1903, Pierce introduced a bigger car called the Arrow. This led to then Great Arrow with cast aluminum body panels on a 93 inch wheelbase and helped build Pierce's great reputation by winning the first five prestigious Glidden Tours.
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 Waterhouse Company of Webster, MA had a brief custom body building history of less than six years starting in 1928 during which it turned out 296 custom and semi-custom automobile bodies. Only three were built in Pierce Arrow chassis. This car is the only Pierce Arrow to survive among a total of 28 surviving Waterhouse-bodied cars.
 |  |  | Cabriolet |
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2008
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2008
 |  |  | Sedan Chassis Num: 2502582 |
| Sold for $41,250 at 2009 RM Auctions. | |||
For 1929, a new engine was developed that was much lighter than the big T-head six unit that it replaced. It was rated at 125 brake horsepower and provided 25 percent more power from fewer cubic-inches. Another added benefit was its smoothness and vibration-proof operation.
1929 would be a great sales year for Pierce-Arrow, with nearly 10,000 cars sold. The new models for 1930 were designated A, B, and C, from largest and most expensive to smallest and least expensive. Four wheelbase sizes were offered and three sizes of engines. In the Model B, the new 366 cubic-inch engine was used. The flagship Model A was given the 385 cubic-inch engine. The 'economy' model, the Model C, was powered by a 340 cubic-inch engine. Prices started at $2,695, and rose to $8,025.
This Seven-Passenger Sedan if a 1930 Pierce-Arrow Model B that wears an older restoration. It is painted in silver with a maroon beltline and fenders. There are dual side-mounted spare tires, wind wings, and a trunk mounted on the rear luggage rack. Black steel wire wheels with bright hubcaps can be found at all four corners and are fitted with correct whitewall tires. The spacious passenger cabin is maroon mohair upholstery, with gray mohair trim and a gray headliner. There is wool carpeting that is darker maroon in color, with a leather binding.
It is believed that there are just 3,640 examples of the 1930 Pierce-Arrow Model B built in 1930.
In 2009, this Model B Seven-Passenger Sedan was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $45,000 - $55,000. The lot was sold for a high bid of $41,250 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: 2025097 |
| Sold for $112,750 at 2009 RM Auctions. | |||
The Model B Roadster for 1930 carried a base price of $2,975 before options. This example is a well photographed example, as it was reportedly used in Hiram Walker liquor advertisements of the era. It is painted in two-tone red that shows some cracking. It wears an older restoration that was probably performed in the mid-1990s. The engine is a eight-cylinder 366 cubic-inch unit capable of producing 125 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical brakes.
In 2009, this Model B Roadster was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was expected to sell for $100,000 - $150,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $112,750, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2009
 |  |  | Roadster |
This car is the only true roadster (side curtains and a raked fold-down windshield) offered by Pierce-Arrow in 1930. They produced convertible coupes, with upright fixed windshields and roll-up windows, in both the Model A (144-inch wheelbase) and Model B (134-inch wheelbase). Approximately 106 Model B Sports Roadsters were built and six examples are known by the Pierce-Arrow Society to have survived.
The roadster's restoration in a subtle two-tone paint scheme and with unadorned black tires is most fitting for a sport version of this conservative, luxury marque.
Model B open cars rode on a 134-inch wheelbase and were equipped with a 366 cubic-inch L-head straight eight and Clark four-speed transmission. The current owner is the president of the Pierce-Arrow Society.
 |  |  | Sport Phaeton |
This car was restored by a previous owner in 1967 and acquired by the current owner in 1973. After 39 years of ownership, it still shows beautifully.
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 1930
Pierce-Arrow
models |
| Pierce Arrow Model A |
| Pierce Arrow Model C |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1930 |
| Cord L-29 ($2,590-$3,000) |
| Stutz SV16 ($3,745-$6,985) |
| Stutz Model M ($3,670-$3,670) |
| Peerless Custom Eight ($2,945-$3,345) |
| Packard 740 Custom Eight ($3,200-$3,900) |
Average Auction Sale: $74,663 |
| Pierce-Arrow: 1920-1930 |
| 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 |
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