1934 Pierce-Arrow Model 840A Silver Arrow Sedan

'Suddenly it's 1940' was the tagline when the spectacular Silver Arrow was introduced at the 1933 New York and Chicago Auto Shows, and with just one look at the streamlined styling it's hard to disagree with that description.

Designed in-house by talented Pierce-Arrow designer Phil Wright, the advanced styling, with its swept grill and integrated fenders, made it a styling tour de force. To match the strength of the styling, the Silver Arrow was outfitted with Pierce's powerful 175-horsepower twelve-cylinder engine, in addition to every luxury convenience of the day.

This car was intended to make a statement at a time when luxury makers were fighting for the few customers available during the depths of the Great Depression. Targeted at the very top of the market, the limited production silver Arrow was priced at $10,000, nearly twice that of a regular Pierce-Arrow and within range of a Duesenberg.

However, from a retail perspective, this gamble did not pay off and only five were sold. Although not a best seller, it was probably the best Pierce-Arrow of all time and ranks with the greatest chassis of the 1930s.