1904 Pierce-Arrow 15 HP Motorcar

Before being known as the Pierce-Arrow Company, the George N. Pierce's company was simply the Pierce, and Arrow referred to as a model. Based in Buffalo, New York, they built automobiles from 1901 to 1938. Prior to this, George Pierce had been a part of a company established in 1865 as Heinz, Pierce, and Munschauer. Among their products were household items, such as gilded birdcages and ice boxes. In 1872, George bought out the other two principals and changed the name to the George N. Pierce Company. In 1896, bicycles became a part of the catalog, and soon were experimenting with steam-powered cars built under license from Overman. Their first single-cylinder, two-speed Moterette was introduced in 1901. Company treasurer Charles Clifton had suggested the de Dion engine and British-born engineer David Fergusson aided with the construction.

In 1903, the twin-cylinder, 15-horsepower Arrow was introduced, and the 'Motorette' name was replaced by the runabout. By this point in history, the company offered a five-horsepower engine, a 6½-horsepower Stanhope, and a two-cylinder, five-passenger touring car. Between 1903 and 1904, a total of 125 examples of the Arrow were built, and only three of them remain in existence.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020