1930 Pierce-Arrow Model B Roadster

Pierce-Arrow was one of the few luxury marques willing to add a lower-priced lineup in order to combat the effect of the Great Depression. This would prove to be a poor decision as the company was out of business in 1938.

The Model B Roadster for 1930 carried a base price of $2,975 before options. This example is a well-photographed example, as it was reportedly used in Hiram Walker liquor advertisements of the era. It is painted in two-tone red that shows some cracking. It wears an older restoration that was probably performed in the mid-1990s. The engine is an eight-cylinder 366 cubic-inch unit capable of producing 125 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical brakes.

In 2009, this Model B Roadster was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was expected to sell for $100,000 - $150,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $112,750, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2009