Pierce Arrow Model 43, 1931 Model 43 | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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Club Sedan

The evolution of The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company is similar to that of the automobile itself. George N. Pierce started his business in Buffalo in 1872 making refrigerators and birdcages before switching to bicycles. Around 1898, Pierce began applying his bicycle manufacturing know-how to a new product - the automobile.

By 1910 Pierce-Arrow was among the most prestigious American motorcar producers. The enormous Pierce-Arrow six-cylinder cars first appeared in 1907, and by the mid-teens these beauties were top sellers in the luxury car market. The appearance in the 1920s of Cadillac's eight-cylinder engine and Packard's twelve-cylinder engine prompted Pierce-Arrow to produce even more powerful cars. These vehicles appealed to people such as the founder of Pressed Steel Car Company of Pittsburgh, who purchased this particular Model 43 in 1933.

Despite evolving designs and a prestigious reputation, Pierce-Arrow suffered financial difficulties beginning in 1920-1921. By 1927 the company had an insurmountable deficit of $783,000, prompting its sale to Studebaker in 1928. However, assembly-line technologies were bringing an end to the era of the small luxury carmaker, and by 1938 The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company was defunct.

Source - The Frick Car and Carriage

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Club Sedan
Chassis Num: 1501359

This Model 43 Pierce-Arrow Sedan is painted in black that has chipped and blemished over the years. There are some cracks and the bright work has lost much of its luster. The artillery wheels are painted black and carry the wide whitewall tires.

The car has traveled 62,247 miles during its lifetime. In 2008 this Pierce-Arrow was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000. The car was offered without reserve. Bidding fell just short of the estimated values, settling at $27,500 including buyer's premium.

The Great Depression was a very difficult economical time for the auto industry and nearly every other aspect of commerce. During this time, automakers did whatever they could to stay in business and revitalize sales. Prices were dropped, options were added free of charge, larger engines were fitted, and even lower priced vehicles introduced. Probably the hardest hit segment of the auto industry during this era was the luxury car manufacturers, as their small pool of buyers dwindled quickly as fortunes were lost.

In 1931, Pierce-Arrow had three models on four different wheelbases. They downsized their engine options to two, and eliminated the 115 horsepower unit. The prior year, they had reverted back to numerical designations for their models. This was retained for 1931. The Model 41 was the largest and rested on a wheelbase that measured 147 inches. Next in line was the Model 42, which fell between the 41 and 43. It was an intermediate model built o the 142-inch wheelbase. The entry-level Pierce-Arrow was the Model 43 which came in two sizes, either a 134 or 137-inch platform and was powered by the 365.6 cubic-inch engine.

Pierce-Arrows financial misfortune went well beyond the Great Depression; in 1928 they had merged with Studebaker to regain their financial footing and to spawn funds needed for new development work. Though this union was necessary at the time, it quickly turned ugly. By 1933 they were again in receivership and this time was rescued by a Buffalo businessman. This salvation was short lived, as the independent luxury car segment had become too competitive and by 1938, Pierce-Arrow had officially gone out of business and its assets were sold at auction.

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Automobiles of Amelia Island, RM Auctions	The Frick Car and Carriage Museum - Focused on Pittsburgh

1931 Pierce Arrow Model 43
Year	1931
Make	Pierce Arrow
Model	Model 43
Body Style	Club Sedan
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series	1931
Price	$2,785.00
Weight	4710 lbs \| 2136.5 kg
Combined MPG	0.00

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number	1501359

Engine
Engine Configuration	I
Cylinders	8
	Water-Cooled
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	366.00 CU IN. \| 5998.7 cc. \| 6 L.
Valves	16 valves. 2 valves per cylinder.
Horsepower	124.00 HP (91.3 KW)
HP to Weight Ratio	38.0 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter	20.7 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio	6.40:1
	Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
Gears	3
Transmission	Manual

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1931 Pierce Arrow Model 43