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1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 125 news, pictures, and information | ||
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In 1929, Pierce-Arrow launched two new cars available on two wheelbase sizes, measuring 133- and 144-inches. Various bodystyles were available ontop of these chassis and sales reached 9,700 examples for the Company, their best year to date. The names of these two newly introduced cars were the Series 133 and Series 144, due to their wheelbase sizes. Under the bonnet was a inline eight-cylinder engine with side-valve technology and nine main bearings. Horsepower was exceptional, measuring 125 from the 365.4 cubic-inch powerplant. The engine was mated to a three-speed manual gearbox which powered the rear wheels.
As the economic turmoil of the late 1920s and early 1930s began to show its ugly head, most luxury marque's seemed oblivious to the fact and continued to introduce large and expensive automobiles powered by mammoth engines. The pool of potential customers dwindled and many maruqes were forced to go the way of the dinosaur. Sales for Pierce-Arrow plummeted to 6,795 for 1930, and 4,522 for the following year. These slow sale figures seemed to fuel Pierce-Arrow's desire to continued in the luxury car market, and they introduced an improved Eight model, followed by a side-valve V12 engine in 1932.
In 1933, Studebaker who had purchased Pierce-Arrow a few years prior, was forced to sell Pierce-Arrow. The company was purchased by a group of Buffalo based investors and Pierce continued to create and sell automobiles until 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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007
As the economic turmoil of the late 1920s and early 1930s began to show its ugly head, most luxury marque's seemed oblivious to the fact and continued to introduce large and expensive automobiles powered by mammoth engines. The pool of potential customers dwindled and many maruqes were forced to go the way of the dinosaur. Sales for Pierce-Arrow plummeted to 6,795 for 1930, and 4,522 for the following year. These slow sale figures seemed to fuel Pierce-Arrow's desire to continued in the luxury car market, and they introduced an improved Eight model, followed by a side-valve V12 engine in 1932.
In 1933, Studebaker who had purchased Pierce-Arrow a few years prior, was forced to sell Pierce-Arrow. The company was purchased by a group of Buffalo based investors and Pierce continued to create and sell automobiles until 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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007
 |  |  | Brougham Chassis Num: 2007674 |
| High bid of $37,500 at 2009 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
The new engine had an L-head design and weighed 100 pounds less than the big T-head six it replaced. It was rated at 125 brake horsepower and offered 25 percent more power from a 12 percent smaller displacement.
The new Model 133, named for its wheelbase, started at $2,775. It was available in no fewer than 12 body styles and contributed to record 1929 sales levels of 8,000 units, an accomplishment that would sadly never be repeated.
This 1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133 Club Brougham has a well-known history from the Pierce Arrow Society. It is one of six known examples within the 2001 Pierce-Arrow Register. All of its mechanical, electrical and chassis components were rebuilt between 1989 and 2006. It has a recent exterior finish and fitted with many desirable features including dual side mounted spare tires with original Pierce-Arrow mirrors, wire wheels with new snap rings, a luggage rack and a body-colored trunk.
In 2009, this example was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $60,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had failed to sell after reaching a high bid of $37,500.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2009
 |  | Roadster Chassis Num: 2003956 |
| High bid of $100,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | ||
The car is painted in red with black fenders and accents. It was awarded 'Best Paint' honors at a local show in 2005. There are six chrome wire wheels and hte interior is black leather, with matching door panels and black carpet on the cockpit floor. The odometer shows 24,156 miles and the car carries California year-of-manufacture license plates.
It is estimated that 6,000 Model 133 cars were built in 1929 with fewer than 200 of them roadsters.
In 2009, this example was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $140,000 - $180,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot failed to sell after reaching a high bid of $100,000.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2009
 |  | Sedan |
The 1929 eight-cylinder Model 133, so named for its wheelbase, was priced considerably lower than the six-cylinder models offered the year before and brought Pierce-Arrow quality to a broader market. Available in no fewer than 12 body styles, the Model 133 contributed to record 1929 sales levels of nearly 10,000 units, an accomplishment that would sadly never be repeated.
 |  | Roadster Chassis Num: 2005018 |
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 1929
Pierce-Arrow
models |
| Pierce Arrow Model 126 |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1929 |
| Packard 633 ($2,400-$6,500) |
| Cadillac 341B ($3,300-$6,705) |
| Kissel White Eagle Series 126 Speedster ($3,185-$3,885) |
| Lincoln Model L ($2,995-$7,395) |
| Packard 640 Custom Eight ($3,200-$3,875) |
Average Auction Sale: $54,450 |
| Pierce-Arrow: 1921-1930 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Pierce-Arrow History |
| Other models by Pierce-Arrow |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Gilmore Car Museum |
| Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook |
| 18th Annual Burn Prevention Foundation Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States |
| 38 | Model 36 | Model 43 | Model 48 | Model 66 | Model 80/81 | Series 33 | Twelve |
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