1935 Pierce-Arrow Model 840

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 36, 48, and 66. Their cars were renowned for their quality, durability, and style. Their massive engines easily carried the stately bodies in luxury and comfort. The 1920s were rough for the Pierce Arrow Company. The company had been content with its style and its engines. As a result, did not keep up 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 Before long, they were offering outdated engines and finding it hard to compete.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 difficult time for many businesses, even Pierce-Arrow

In 1933 Phil Wright was tasked with creating a new design. The resulting vehicle was shown at the 1933 New York Auto Show and Chicago where it received high praise from spectators and the press. Development began on the Silver Arrow and was offered for sale at $10,000, a rather high sticker price at the time. This would prove to be 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.

This Pierce Arrow Model 840 Coupe with chassis number 2090150 is powered by a 385 cubic-inch engine that produces 140 horsepower. The 144-inch wheelbase is suspended in place by leaf springs and an I-beam axle in the front and leaf springs and hypoid live axle suspension in the rear. Servo-assisted drum brakes were on all four corners.

At the 2006 RM Auction held in Meadow Brook, it was estimated to fetch a selling price between $80,000 - $120,000. This estimate proved to be accurate and found a new home at $86,900.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006