1904 Pierce-Arrow 8HP

Heinz, Pierce, and Munschauer was formed in 1865 and known for their household items. George N. Pierce acquired a controlling interest in the company in 1872, reorganizing the firm as the George N Pierce Company. By November of 1900, the company had built its first proper motor car using a license for the French de Dion engine. David Fergusson became Chief Engineer early in 1901 and would remain in that position for the succeeding two decades. He was responsible for Pierce's first production, the single-cylinder Motorette which employed the de Dion engine that produced 2.5 horsepower. Its output was adequate considering the vehicle's size and the poor conditions of the road at the time. Pierce continued to use de Dion engines until 1904 when they introduced their single-cylinder engine. The engine was a Pierce design and the engine was air-cooled and produced around 8 horsepower. Two-cylinder Arrow and four-cylinder Great Arrow models followed in 1904. Around this time, the company made the decision to focus on the production of larger, more luxurious automobiles, and Pierce's new endeavor got off to a flying start in 1905 when Percy Pierce (George's son) won the first of the famous Glidden Tours driving a Great Arrow. Pierce cars claimed victory in the next four events.

The company's first six-cylinder model was introduced in 1907 and two years later the name of the company was changed to Pierce-Arrow. 1909 was also the year that U.S. President William Howard Taft ordered two Pierce-Arrows to be used for state occasions, thus honoring the company with the distinction of supplying the White House's first official automobiles.

The 1904 Pierce 8HP Motorette was powered by a single-cylinder engine with a 3.9-inch bore and a 4.3-inch stroke, backed by a two-speed Planetary transmission. It had a leaf spring suspension, rear mechanical drum brakes, and produced 8 horsepower. The cost to own a base model Stanhope was around $1200 while a Stanhope with a top cost approximately $1300. Stanhope's were reliable vehicles having set a Class Victory in October of 1903 in a New York to Pittsburgh test run.

The Stanhope had a unique folding front seat that added additional room for two extra passengers, bringing the total to four. The Stanhope had two speeds, forward and reverse.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007