1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 54

The Pierce-Arrow is one of the great early American automotive producers. Their first offering was the Great Arrow, followed by such greats as the Model 36, 48, and 66. Their cars were renowned for their quality, durability, and style, and the massive engines easily carried the stately bodies in luxury and comfort. The Pierce Model 66 utilized an 825 cubic-inch engine, which is the largest engine ever used in a mass-produced motor car.

The 1920s were rough for the Pierce-Arrow Company as they had been content with its styling and engines, failing to keep pace with the changing market trends and new inventions. Before long, they were offering outdated engines and finding it hard to compete.

By 1928, the Pierce-Arrow Company had changed ownership to Mr. Albert R. Erskine, the President of Studebaker. Under his direction, new engines, features, and bodies were introduced. By 1929, the company had regained momentum and had sold nearly 10,000 vehicles that year. The Great Depression was a devastating time for many businesses and while it was difficult to claim any success within the automotive market, Pierce-Arrow produced some of the most distinctive and elegant motor cars in the world.

Pierce-Arrow added a V-12 engine to its lineup in late 1931, and by this point in history was having difficulty making a profit. Within two short years, it would find itself in receivership, along with its co-partner Studebaker. A group of Buffalo, New York-based investors purchased the ill-fated company, allowing it to survive a few more years before eventually closing its doors in 1938. The added investment allowed Pierce-Arrow to stun the world a final time in 1933 with the introduction of the Phil Wright-designed Silver Arrow, shown at the New York Auto Show and Chicago where it received high praise from spectators and the press. Its $10,000 price tag was astronomical and would prove too high for consumers and only five were ever created. The new design was important in that it propagated to the rest of the Pierce-Arrow models. The styling was popular and the company's prospects began to rise once again. Their prosperity was short-lived, and by 1938 the company was out of business.

Total production of the Model 54 on the 137-inch wheelbase in nine distinct coachwork variations reached 1,550 examples. The 366 cubic-inch L-head inline eight-cylinder engine breathed through Stromberg carburetors and developed 125 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. It was backed by a four-speed selective-sliding manual gearbox and braking was handled by four-wheel Bendix Duo-Servo mechanical drum brakes. The suspension was comprised of semi-elliptical leaf springs with a sold front and live rear axle. Additional features included a Delco-Remy distributor, Bendix Startix automatic starter, Edison spark plugs and controls for the free-wheeling ride control, and ride-control shock absorbers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2014