1925 Pierce Arrow Model 33 1925 Pierce Arrow Model 33 1925 Pierce Arrow Model 33 1925 Pierce Arrow Model 33
1925 Pierce Arrow Model 33 1925 Pierce Arrow Model 33

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Runabout
 
This car cost approximately $3000 new at the Buffalo, NY factory. This model was designed for the 'lady' in mind; the car was much lighter and much easier to drive.

Most Pierce-Arrows have these beautiful headlights, which were initiated in 1914. Pierce-Arrow made most of their own components including the carburetors, engines, drive-train, wooden wheels and bodies.

This vehicle is equipped with a six-cylinder 'L' head engine producing 74 horsepower.

Note the small door on the right side of the car; it was the golf club door, typical of most high-end cars of this era.
The Pierce-Arrow Series 33 was produced from 1921 through 1926. The cars were powered by a six-cylinder 'L'-head engine that produced over 70 horsepower. Both the engine and the design were new for Pierce-Arrow, being introduced in the post World-War I era. The cars were elegant and stately, with a price tag that rivaled other luxury marques of their day. Their high sticker price meant these were exclusive machines finished with all of the luxury amenities available.

The six-cylinder engine had a dual-valve setup, integrated by Pierce-Arrow's chief engineer David Fergusson. The design of the engine was influenced by European techniques and its incorporation into an American engine is a rarity. The dual valves resulted in an increase in performance and better fuel economy. The engine was smooth, reliable, and durable, producing adequate horsepower to carry the large and stately bodies. With the large bodies and powerful engine, adequate brakes were required. The Series 33 were among the first Pierce-Arrows to be given four-wheel mechanical brakes. This setup was utilized over the hydraulic-brake configuration, as the company viewed the hydraulic brakes as less reliable and prone to fluid leaks.

In the front of the car are the unique headlight design, which stick up and bulged-out from the fenders. As the years progressed, the designs altered slightly.

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 the modern era, around 50 examples of the Series 33 have survived the test of time.

1925 Pierce Arrow Model 33

Year1925
MakePierce Arrow
ModelModel 33
Body StyleRunabout
Engine LocationFront
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Production Years for Series1921 - 1926
Price$3,096.00
Weight3386 lbs | 1535.9 kg
Combined MPG0.00

Engine  
Engine ConfigurationI
L-Head
Cylinders6
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement414.65 CU IN. | 6796.1 cc. | 6.8 L.
Horsepower74.00 HP (54.5 KW) @ 2600.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio45.8 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter10.9 BHP / Liter
Fuel TypeGasoline - Petrol
Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight


 
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Articles and Event Coverage
Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival

Additional Resources and Links
Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance Official Website


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