1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48

Pierce-Arrow quickly earned a reputation that placed them as one of the United States' most prestigious automakers, and as one of the famous 'Three P's' of American automobile luxury, along with Packard and Peerless. The company's cars were easily identifiable and recognizable from the Herbert Dawley-designed and patented fender-mounted headlamps, a feature that Pierce introduced to the American market.

The company's history dates to 1865 as Heinz, Pierce and Munschauer, known for its manufacture of household items. George N. Pierce bought a controlling interest in 1987 and reorganized the firm as the George N Pierce Company. The company's first proper motor car was completed in November 1900 powered by a French de Dion engine built under license. English-born designer David Fergusson became Chief Engineer early in 1901 and would retain this position for the next two decades. Mr. Fergusson was responsible for Pierce's first production model - the single-cylinder Motorette - along with many of the company's milestones that followed. Two-cylinder Arrow and four-cylinder Great Arrow models followed in 1904. It was around this time that the company dedicated its path to the construction of large and luxurious automobiles. This pursuit was heightened in 1905 when Percy Pierce (George's son) won the first of the famous Glidden Tours driving a Great Arrow. The next four events were also won by Pierce vehicles.

The company's first six-cylinder model arrived in 1907 and in 1909 the marque and company names changed to Pierce-Arrow. The company's decision to focus on the luxury segment was validated when US President William Howard Taft ordered two Pierce-Arrows in 1909 to be used for state occasions. Thus, Pierce-Arrow was the first automobile company to supply the White House with automobiles.

The Pierce-Arrow Model 48
Peerless and Packard introduced their new V-8 and 'Twin Six' V-12 engines in 1916 while Pierce-Arrow stuck to its line of large-displacement sixes. They would remain faithful to this philosophy through 1927. The Pierce-Arrow six was renowned for its exceptional power and near-silent operation. Their hallmark for many years was their T-head engine layout which was available in several sizes during most of the teen years. Available sizes included the 38-, 48-, and 66 horsepower variants. Powering the Model 48 was a massive 525 cubic-inch T-head inline six-cylinder engine with two valves per cylinder and hydraulic valve tappets, as well as a four-speed transmission with a reverse gear and shaft drive. The engine delivered a top speed of approximately 55 mph. The 142-inch wheelbase was suspended by a solid front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. At the rear was a live axle with three-quarter-elliptic leaf springs along with the two-wheel mechanical brakes.

1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 photo
Touring
Chassis #: 14727
Engine #: B4 3160
View info and history
Auction entries : 3
The Pierce-Arrow Model 48 ranged in price from $5,000 to $6,200, depending on body style and configuration. Pierce-Arrow preferred to build their own coachwork for the company's cars, and very few examples received custom coachwork from outside coachbuilders. The Touring body style was offered with 4-, 5-, and 7-passenger configurations. The 4- and 5-passenger tourer, along with the 2- and 3-passenger runabout were priced at $4,900. The seven-passenger tourer listed at $5,000. The 2- and 3-passenger coupe were priced at $5,700, and the seven-passenger Suburban, Landaulet, and Suburban Landaulet were listed at $6,000. The Brougham was $5,800 and the Vestibule Brougham at $5,950. The Vestibule Suburban, Vestibule Landaulet, and the Vestibule Suburban Landaulet were $6,200.

Pierce-Arrow production was exclusive, with 1,118 examples built in 1914, 1,563 the following year, and 1,647 in 1916. The following year, the company's production rose slightly to 1,891 units. Production peaked during the mid-1920s with 5,231 units in 1925, 5,682 the following year, and 5,836 in 1927. The highest year of production was just before the Great Depression, with 8,422 units built in 1929.


by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019

Related Reading : Pierce-Arrow Model 48 History

A win on Sunday meant strong sales on Monday. This was a motto many manufacturers believed in and thus, many automakers actively raced their cars to promote its capabilities. Pierce-Arrow did the same to prove the cars durability and reliability, the mighty Pierce-Arrow was entered in the famed Glidden Tours. From 1905 through 1909, it won all five events and, except for one outing, earned perfect....
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1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Vehicle Profiles

1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 vehicle information
Touring

Chassis #: 14656
Engine #: B4-3105
1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 vehicle information
Vestibule Suburban

Chassis #: 14525
Engine #: B4-2720
1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 vehicle information
Touring

Chassis #: 14727
Engine #: B4 3160
1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 vehicle information
Touring

Chassis #: 14041

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$365-$4,900
1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48
1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Price Range: $4,900 - $6,200

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Other 1916 Pierce-Arrow Models

Model 48B

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
142.00 in.
6 cyl., 525.00 CID., 48.00hp
$4,900 - $6,200
142.00 in., 143.00 in.
6 cyl., 515.00 CID., 48.00hp
$5,403 - $7,015
142.00 in.
6 cyl., 515.00 CID.
142.00 in.
6 cyl., 525.00 CID., 48.00hp
$7,650 - $9,450

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