1903 Pierce Arrow Runabout

Heinz, Pierce, and Munschauer were established in 1865 and built household items including gilded birdcages and iceboxes. George Norman Pierce bought out the other two principals of the company in 1872 and changed the name to the George N. Pierce Company. Bicycles were added to the catalog in 1896 and later they tried their hand at building steam-powered cars under license from Overman. By 1901, they had built their first single-cylinder, two-speed Motorette. The idea had been campaigned by treasurer Charles Clifton, who had watched developments in Europe and suggested the De Dion engine to power Pierce's first gasoline car. British-born engineer David Fergusson was instrumental in the construction of this first automobile.

A two-cylinder car, called the Arrow, was built in 1903. The 'Motorette' name was replaced by the Runabout. By this point in history, the company offered a five-horsepower engine, a 6½-horsepower Stanhope, and a two-cylinder, five-passenger touring car.

Based in Buffalo, New York, the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company would build automobiles from 1901 to 1938. During their existence, they built a reputation for their expensive, elegant, and well-engineered automobiles. They also produced commercial trucks, camp trailers, motorcycles, and fire trucks.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020