1917 Peerless Model 56 Cloverleaf Roadster

In 1907, Peerless began building sixes and in 1916 they followed Cadillac by introducing a new V-8 model. The Peerless V-8 displaced 331.8 cubic inches, had side valves and was built by Herschell-Spillman. An updated version of the engine followed in 1917, which was a vast improvement, and included dual exhaust and offered dual operating ranges with a Ball and Ball four-barrel carburetor that included an accelerator pump for additional performance.

The Peerless V-8 would be the company's only powerplant until the introduction of the lower-priced Model 6-70 first introduced in 1925.

This Two-Power-Range Cloverleaf Roadster has had a body-off rotisserie restoration in 2003. It is painted in factory-correct green paint with a black leather interior. It has a three-speed transmission, Boyce Motometer, driving lamps, electric horn, instruments, night light, and tool kit. There are dual spares 34x4-inch Goodrich Silvertown Cord tires to mount on the car's 12-spoke wooden wheels.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $55,000-$75,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $49,500 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010