1930 Pierce-Arrow Model A

In 1929, Pierce-Arrow launched two new cars available in two-wheelbase sizes, measuring 133- and 144-inches. Various body styles were available on top of these chassis and sales reached 9,700 examples for the Company, their best year to date. The names of these two newly introduced cars were the Series 133 and Series 144, due to their wheelbase sizes. Under the bonnet was an inline eight-cylinder engine with side-valve technology and nine main bearings. Horsepower was exceptional, measuring 125 from the 365.4 cubic-inch powerplant. The engine was mated to a three-speed manual gearbox that powered the rear wheels.

As the economic turmoil of the late 1920s and early 1930s began to show its ugly head, most luxury marques seemed oblivious to the fact and continued to introduce large and expensive automobiles powered by mammoth engines. The pool of potential customers dwindled and many marques were forced to go the way of the dinosaur. Sales for Pierce-Arrow plummeted to 6,795 in 1930, and 4,522 for the following year. These slow sale figures seemed to fuel Pierce-Arrow's desire to continue in the luxury car market, and they introduced an improved Eight model, followed by a side-valve V12 engine in 1932.

In 1933, Studebaker who had purchased Pierce-Arrow a few years prior was forced to sell Pierce-Arrow. The company was purchased by a group of Buffalo-based investors and Pierce continued to create and sell automobiles until 1937. The Packard Company was managing to stay afloat by creating a lower-cost line that appealed to a broader market segment and had increased revenue and sales. Pierce-Arrow attempted to mimic their achievement by introducing the low-priced One-Twenty model. The move may have worked if it had been done earlier, and Pierce-Arrow was forced to cease production in 1938. On Friday, May 13th the company was sold at auction.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2008