1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 43

The George N. Pierce Company was formed in 1872 and by 1896 the company began producing bicycles. By the turn of the century, the company was experimenting with automobiles, initially with steam power, and the early years saw rapid advancements. The early single and twin-cylinder Motorette designs were followed by larger, more luxurious cars for an upscale market.

In 1904, Pierce introduced the 'Great Arrow,' which was a major departure from his earlier designs. In the front was a powerful four-cylinder engine, and the Great Arrow quickly solidified the company's reputation by winning the Glidden Trophy in 1905. The Glidden Tour was an endurance run of over a thousand miles with the trophy being awarded to the most roadworthy car on the tour. Percy Pierce drove a 'Great Arrow' to victory in the Glidden Trophy for five consecutive years, showcasing the automobile's reliability and ruggedness.

Pierce sold the rights to the business in 1907, and the company was renamed the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company in 1908. The introduction of a six-cylinder engine would become the hallmark of Pierce-Arrow for many years to come, and helped the company prosper and grow over the years. The company would later produce commercial trucks, motorcycles, and fire engines.

Pierce-Arrow pioneered the use of aluminum, power brakes, hydraulic tappets, and several other innovations. Despite the high degree of technological sophistication and elegant automobiles, Pierce-Arrow lacked the funding to continue development. By the end of the Roaring Twenties, the company's engineering and designs had seemingly become dated.

The Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, gained control of the Buffalo firm in 1928. This union would last for five years with moderate benefits to both companies which continue to operate as separate entities although they shared a dealer network, as the cars were sold through Studebaker dealerships.

Pierce-Arrow introduced a new line of cars in 1929. The cylinder wars were heating up and the Great Depression was lurking just around the corner. The new Pierce-Arrows became a great success, setting a new sales record of nearly 10,000 cars in 1929. With financial and mechanical help from Studebaker, Pierce-Arrow was able to retire the six-cylinder engine and introduced a newly developed L-head straight-eight engine in 1929. It had a 366 cubic-inch displacement and was rated at 125 horsepower. The 1928 Series 36 and 81 Models had a T-head engine with a cast steel block bolted to an aluminum crankcase. The new L-head eight-cylinder engine had nine main bearings and was cast with a single crankcase and cylinder block assembly. It breathed through a Stromberg UU-2 carburetor rather than a carburetor of Pierce-Arrow manufacture, like earlier models.

The 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 43 was powered by a 366 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine with a 3.5-inch bore, a 4.75-inch stroke, a 5:1 compression ratio, and produced 125 horsepower at 3200 RPM. It was backed by a three-speed manual transmission and rested on a wheelbase that measured 137 inches. Body styles included a 5- and 7-passenger sedan, a club sedan, and an enclosed drive limousine.

By 1933, the Pierce-Arrow was 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.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020