1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 54 Dual Windshield Phaeton

In 1865, Pierce-Arrow was founded in Buffalo, New York as a diversified manufacturer. The first car was built in 1901 and in 1903, Pierce introduced a bigger car called the Arrow. This led to the Great Arrow with cast aluminum body panels on a 93-inch wheelbase and helped build Pierce's great reputation by winning the first five prestigious Glidden Tours.

Beginning in 1909, Pierce-Arrow became known as the car of Presidents when President Taft used one for official occasions. This practice continued until the last Pierces were ordered in 1935. In 1914, Pierce-Arrow introduced integral fender headlamps as an option which became the most recognized design cue for Pierce-Arrows for the rest of the company's history.

In late 1931, marketing genius Roy Faulker joined Pierce-Arrow. He left Auburn to head the marketing of both the Pierce-Arrow and the Studebaker brands. He left after about a year to head E.L. Cord's namesake car company. Mr. Faulkner introduced a program he named 'Pierce-Arrow Pioneering.' One feature of this program was the addition of outside coachbuilders. LeBaron focused on owner/driver cars while Brunn focused on formal chauffeur-driven models.

The Model 54 body was built by Pierce-Arrow but designed by coachbuilder Brunn. It rides on a 137-inch wheelbase chassis and is powered by a 366 cubic-inch straight 8-cylinder engine producing 125 horsepower. The car weighed 4,747 lbs and sold for $2,850. Pierce built 2,482 cars in 1932. This body has roll-up windows in the front and side curtains for the rear compartment. A second windshield shields the rear passengers from the wind.

This car was owned by noted San Antonio artist, S.P. Stevens for many years before selling it to aerospace engineering pioneer and inventor, Dee Howard. One of his inventions was the jet engine thrust reverser.

Pierce-Arrow produced a total of 2,481 cars in 1932, but only nineteen of this body style. This is number 19 of the 19 built.