1924 Pierce-Arrow Series 33

The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company of Buffalo, New York was among the most respected and renowned automakers in America for over three decades and produced some of the grandest luxury cars of the era. The company had humble beginnings, beginning as a builder of bird cages and household problems, turning to bicycles and then to automobiles shortly after the turn of the 20th century. Among their many accolades, a Pierce-Arrow was the first automobile to be used by the White House, during the William Howard Taft administration in 1909. They pioneered power braking and were among the first to experiment in light alloy construction, streamlining, and power steering and were the first to install hydraulic tappets. Their patented headlight-in-fender treatment was one of the most recognizable and distinguishable features of the early automobile. Despite all of their mechanical marvels, luxurious accouterments, and stylish creations, the company's demise was due to its refusal to compromise on its luxury product. During the Great Depression, the company struggled and ultimately closed its doors in 1938.

While Peerless and Packard, the other two respected 'P's' of the 'three P's, introduced a V-8 and V-12, respectively, in 1916, Pierce-Arrow remained steadfast to its inline six-cylinder power through 1927.

Production of the Series 33 lasted from 1921 through 1926 and was the company's first model with left-hand drive The Series 33 was powered by a 414.7 cubic-inch, inline monobloc six-cylinder engine that used four valves per cylinder, two spark plugs per cylinder, and aluminum pistons. The T-head engine produced 70 horsepower and was backed by a three-speed manual transmission. The 138-inch wheelbase chassis was suspended by a solid front and semi-floating rear axle with a semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension. The Series 33 were regarded for its flexibility, excellent road manners, steering ease, and power.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout

Pierce-Arrow motorcars were introduced in 1901 and by the time this car was built, the company had achieved what would be a lasting reputation as a manufacturer of top-of-the-line motorcars. President Woodrow Wilson maintained a Pierce-Arrow as his official White House car. He took his Pierce-Arrow with him when he left the White House.

This runabout body style was built on a 138-inch wheelbase chassis. Styling was conservative - a trademark of the company. This sporty runabout is powered by a Dual Valve Six, T-head motor that had been introduced in October of 1918.

Pierce-Arrows were expensive. This car sold for approximately $5,250 new in 1924. Not surprisingly, the production of these cars was low; a total of 2,078 cars were sold by Pierce-Arrow in 1924. The company's offices and manufacturing facilities were located in Buffalo, New York.

The owner of this Pierce-Arrow runabout owns several additional Pierce-Arrows.

Touring
Chassis number: 339177
Engine number: 339169

In 1916, Peerleess and Packard introduced a V-8 and V-12, however, Pierce-Arrow held firm their belief that their tried-and-true six-cylinder engine was more than adequate. They would continue to outfit their cars with a six through 1927. Pierce-Arrow's trademark sixes were powerful and large T-head designs, fitted with four valves per cylinder, and featuring dual ignition systems.

This particular 1924 Model 33 wears a seven-passenger Touring body and is powered by a 415 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine offering 70 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical brakes. It has a wheelbase size of 138 inches, crimson bodywork accented by black moldings and fenders, and the interior is upholstered in black leather with red carpets. There is a pair of folding jump seats and an accessory windshield in the rear compartment. There are four wooden artillery wheels, with dual rear-mounted spares.

Several decades ago, this Model 33 was sold by Randal Shaffer of New Castle, PA to Barney Pollard of Detroit. It has been in the Pollard Family for decades and was restored for the current owners.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer

The Pierce-Arrow Series 33 was introduced in 1921 and production continued through 1926. The Model 33 was powered by a 6-cylinder L-head engine that produced over 70 horsepower. The cars were elegant, stately, and exclusive and rivaled many of the other luxury marques of their day. The 1924 Pierce-Arrow Series 33 was the company's top-of-the-range automobile but today, out of the 40 or 50 Model 33s that have survived, there are just seven or eight of these 4 Passenger Tourings known to exist. The car's earliest known registration was to a Mrs. J.A. Martin in Portland, Oregon, who owned the car in 1928. It was acquired by Jack Passey, a well-known collector, in the mid-1950s. He sold the car in 1975 to Charlie Trip who first restored it. Its current owner acquired the car in 2015.

The Pierce-Arrow Series 33 was produced from 1921 through 1926. The cars were powered by a six-cylinder 'L'-head engine that produced over 70 horsepower. Both the engine and the design were new for Pierce-Arrow, being introduced in the post-World War I era. The cars were elegant and stately, with a price tag that rivaled other luxury marques of their day. Their high sticker price meant these were exclusive machines finished with all of the luxury amenities available.

The six-cylinder engine had a dual-valve setup, integrated by Pierce-Arrow's chief engineer David Fergusson. The design of the engine was influenced by European techniques and its incorporation into an American engine is a rarity. The dual valves resulted in an increase in performance and better fuel economy. The engine was smooth, reliable, and durable, producing adequate horsepower to carry the large and stately bodies. With the large bodies and powerful engines, adequate brakes were required. The Series 33 was among the first Pierce-Arrows to be given four-wheel mechanical brakes. This setup was utilized over the hydraulic-brake configuration, as the company viewed the hydraulic brakes as less reliable and prone to fluid leaks.

In front of the car are the unique headlight design, which sticks up and bulged out from the fenders. As the years progressed, the designs altered slightly.

Pierce-Arrow was a strong believer in its six-cylinder engine while other manufacturers were using more powerful and tunable eight-cylinder engines. The Pierce-Arrow design did not change drastically during the 1920s, another potential reason for their ultimate demise. The onset of the Great Depression and problems with management prompted a merger with Studebaker. A short time later the Pierce-Arrows were equipped with eight-cylinder engines which helped stimulate sales. By the early 1930s, a 12-cylinder could be found in the Pierce-Arrows. Their engines were strong and powerful, capturing over 13-speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

In the modern era, around 50 examples of the Series 33 have survived the test of time.

by Dan Vaughan