1917 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Touring

In 1878, George N. Pierce began the George N. Pierce Company which produced housewares. The business soon diversified into iceboxes and birdcages, then onto bicycles, and later into automobiles. The Pierce-Arrow automobiles were among the most sought-after and desirable automobiles of their era. They had a reputation for their durability and quality.

They began with steam-powered cars, then gasoline, and then analyzed both sources of power for their advantages, deciding upon gasoline as their mode of fuel. In January of 1901, David Fergusson was hired to head the Company's design efforts for gasoline-powered cars. His first designs were the de Dion-powered Pierce Motorettes that was introduced near the end of 1901. The Pierce Company benefited from the pre-established network of bicycle dealers, who were able to quickly sell the automobiles.

The first four-seater Pierce arrived in early 1903. It had a two-cylinder engine and shaft drive and was dubbed the 'Arrow.' The following year, a larger and more conventional-looking car, called the 'Great Arrow', emerged. By 1908, George and Percy Pierce parted ways with their financial backer and company director George K. Birge and concentrated on bicycles and motorcycles. The automobile business was renamed the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company.

The first cars produced by the newly named 'Pierce-Arrow' company were powered by six-cylinder engines. They were offered in 36, 48, and 60 horsepower sizes. By 1910, the company was producing cars only powered by six-cylinder engines. This would be the company's engine size of choice until 1929 when an eight-cylinder version was introduced.

These six-cylinder engines produced by Pierce-Arrow were cast in pairs and secured to aluminum crankcases. They had T-head designs and were one of the more powerful units in the industry.

This 1917 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Touring Car has been restored to concours quality. It has a maroon exterior offset by black fenders and lower body panels. There is a black top, red pin-striping along the beltline, artillery-style wheels, dual cowl-mounted lights, right-side mounted horn, black painted rims, bright hubcaps, and a Moto-Meter. In the rear of the vehicle is a luggage rack with a trunk secured by leather straps and protected by a leather cover. The interior features button-tufted tan leather upholstery, tan door and side panels with storage pockets, correct hardware, and door-retaining straps.

The six-cylinder, 525 cubic-inch, T-head engine is capable of producing 92 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and two-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

In 2008 this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $325,000 - $375,000. Those estimates were proven accurate as the lot was sold for a high bid of $385,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008