conceptcarz.com

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow

The 1933 World's Fair attracted the world's greatest achievements to the Windy City. The 427 acres of Burnham Park on the Lake Michigan shoreline of Chicago showcased the best technology of the era, including the record-breaking Zephyr train and the Graf Zeppelin from Germany. The fair opened on May 27th of 1933 and many automobile enthusiasts were drawn to the Travel and Transport Building which housed many of the most expensive automobiles that America had to offer. Granted, the world was in the depths of the Great Depression and this show, perhaps, sickened or inspired many onlookers. Among the cars on display was the one-off Duesenberg Model SJ Torpedo Sedan, dubbed the 'Twenty Grand' for its cost in 1933 dollars, a considerable sum considering the average household income was $1,550. Packard displayed a twelve-cylinder Sport Sedan known as the 'Car of the Dome' for its central position in the building, and Cadillac displayed a sixteen-cylinder fastback Aero-Dynamic Coupe.

The vehicle on display by Pierce-Arrow wore styling by a youthful stylist named Phillip O. Wright. Known as the Silver Arrow, it rested on a 139-inch wheelbase platform and was powered by a 429 cubic-inch, side-valve L-head V-12 engine. The wider-angle twelve-cylinder engine allowed for a much lower engine bay and allowed the twin side-mounted spare tires to hide inside the fenders. The 160 horsepower it produced was sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission with an automatic clutch. The suspension consisted of semi-elliptical leaf springs and ball-bearing shackles, with a solid axle in the front. Stopping power was courtesy of four-wheel Stewart-Warner power-assisted drum brakes. The specifications were impressive but paled in comparison to the elegant silver coachwork covering the streamlined design. The flowing roofline is covered in a single plane, from the sloping windshield and stretching to the rear of the car. The aerodynamic persona continued to the flush-fitting doors and inset door handles. The 'step-down' interior predated Cord by three years and Hudson by over a dozen. Other pioneering features that inspired future trends included the rounded door openings, low roofline, flat body sides with concealed twin spare tires, and enveloping front fenders.

A total of five Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrows had been built for the show circuit and promotional purposes. Thirty skilled individuals labored for over three months to build the five cars. The motoring press at the time heralded the Silver Arrow with the slogan 'Suddenly it's 1940!'


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2022

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Vehicle Profiles

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow vehicle information
Sedan

Designer: Philip O. Wright
Chassis #: 2575015
Engine #: 360001
1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow vehicle information
Sedan

Designer: Philip O. Wright

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$335-$10,000
1933 Silver Arrow
$10,000-$25,545
1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Base Price : $10,000

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1933 Pierce-Arrow Models

Related Automotive News

Past Best of Show Winners at The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Past Best of Show Winners at The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

overview1 The 70th anniversary of the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance was celebrated with a spectacular display of previous Best of Show winners. Thirty-seven examples graced the showfield and many were still with the same owners who raised the trophy...
Trump Charlotte Concours d'Elegance

Trump Charlotte Concours d'Elegance

The third annual Trump National Concours dElegance was held near the shores of Lake Norman on the nationally ranked and world-renowned Trump National Golf Club-Charlotte. The location has been named one of the most spectacular and exciting courses...
Granturismo Model Year 2018 Makes Its World Debut In New York

Granturismo Model Year 2018 Makes Its World Debut In New York

Maserati reveals the restyled GranTurismo at New York Stock Exchange today. Maserati CEO Reid Bigland will ring the closing bell of the NYSE at 4pm EST. Modena, 27 June 2017 – Maserati has chosen the New York Stock Exchange as the...
ASTON MARTIN OFFERS GLIMPSE OF ITS SECOND CENTURY AT PEBBLE BEACH

ASTON MARTIN OFFERS GLIMPSE OF ITS SECOND CENTURY AT PEBBLE BEACH

Market debut of new 2016 DB9 GT to be showcased at The Aston Martin Estate North American debuts for innovative DBX concept and new Lagonda Taraf Following starring role at the New York Auto Show, the Aston Martin Vulcan track supercar returns to...
Chinese Grand Prix: Qualifying

Chinese Grand Prix: Qualifying

The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS team locked out the front row of the grid for the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit today with Nico Rosberg putting the F1 W03 on pole position, and Michael Schumacher qualifying in third place, although...