1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 54 Club Brougham

Pierce started producing automobiles in Buffalo in 1901 and quickly became one of America's most prestigious makes in the early 20th century. It made a name for itself when its Great Arrows dominated the Glidden Tours, an early road rally series. Pierce-Arrow and other luxury stalwarts, Packard and Peerless, became collectively known as the 'Three P's of Motordom.'

However, by the mid-1920s Pierce was not keeping up with other makers, and its most powerful engine was a 6-cylinder design. By 1928, the company was bought by Studebaker, and with the resulting infusion of capital was able to develop a new line of cars and powertrains. In 1929 a new 8-cylinder engine was introduced and customers responded by rewarding Pierce-Arrow with its highest sales year to date. 'Pierce' was back in a big way, and the models of the 1930s are some of the best of the classic era. However, the economic chaos of the time caught up with Pierce-Arrow, and it was sold again in 1933. Production began to wind down and ceased for good in 1938.

The Pierce-Arrow featured is a Model 54 Club Brougham with a 125 horsepower, 8-cylinder engine. This model sports classic Pierce-Arrow styling with its fender-mounted lights and 'V-shaped grill. The close-coupled Club Brougham style typifies the illustrious nature of this marque.

Pierce-Arrow sales of all models numbered only 2,152 units, nearly 1,000 less than the company's break-even point.