1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Touring

The F.R. Wood and Son Company of Brooklyn, New York was in business from 1848 to 1939. They produced mainly bus and truck bodies, however, they did cloth a small number of formal limousines, and various other bodies such as this five-passenger touring. This Model 48-B-4 has sporty lines, a deep cowl that envelopes the instrument cluster, a low-raked windshield, and a modified cast aluminum cowl. This is the sole Wood-bodied Pierce-Arrow ever built.

It is believed that this car was built for one of Wood's commercial clients on the West Coast, as it has many features intended for warm weather. The front doors feature special hardware that allows the doors to be set slightly ajar while driving, guiding fresh air into the interior around the passengers' bodies and legs. The hood sides are removable panels with mesh inserts to keep the engine running cool in hot weather. It has dual side mounts and a custom bumper made from nickel.

The car eventually made its way to the Northeast in the 1980s. It was given a mechanical restoration recently, including a complete engine rebuild with all-new Babbit bearings and a new leather cone clutch in the early 21st century. Two years later it was refinished in this dark green and black color scheme.

It has been driven in the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic, which runs between Washington state and Northern California every August.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2015