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 Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 2575015
Engine number: 360001

On May 27th of 1933, the World's Fair, dubbed 'A Century of Progress', came to Chicago. Among the impressive accomplishments and various achievements was the Travel and Transport Building which housed many of the most expensive automobiles that America had to offer. Included were the Duesenberg Model SJ Torpedo Sedan (the 'Twenty Grand'), and Packard's V-12 powered Sport Sedan (known as the 'Car of the Dome' for its central spot in the building). Cadillac showcased a fastback Aero-Dynamic Coupe powered by a 16-cylinder engine. Stylist Phillip O. Wright and new Pierce-Arrow President Roy Faulkner presented the Silver Arrow.

The Silver Arrow rested on a 139-inch wheelbase platform and was powered by a 12-cylinder engine. It had an automatic clutch and power-assisted brakes, among other advances. Most impressive was its silver streamlined coachwork. The design was smooth that traveled from the roof to the rear of the car. It had flush-fitting doors with door handles inset out of the airstream. Inside, there was a 'step-down' interior that was revolutionary for its era.

This particular Silver Arrow is body number 1, the first Silver Arrow produced. It was sent to East Coast auto shows in 1933, including Boston and New York. A total of five of these super-streamlined dream machines were built. Most examples were used for various promotional uses before being sold to clientele.

This example was purchased by M.C. Hudson, the San Francisco distributor for Crazy Water. He outfitted the doors with Crazy Water logos and the car was used to promote the product throughout California.

Around 1954, the car was found by F. Robert Greene of New York in Texas. At the time it was owned by Mr. D'Oyley, another Crazy Water distributor. After Mr. Greene's ownership, the Silver Arrow was in various short-term ownership prior to being purchased by James Brucker Sr., of Buena Park, California.

By the 1970s, the Silver Arrow had a silver with blue molding paint scheme. By this point in history, Mr. Brucker had opened his collection to the public, calling it the 'Movieworld Cars of the Stars and Planes of Fame.' The car is also believed to have played a role in the 1976 film, Gable and Lombard.

In the late 1970s, the car was sold to Dr. Don Vesley of Louisiana and Florida. In the 1980s, it was sold to the Blackhawk Collection of Danville, California. During this time the car received its current restoration in two-tone silver and pewter, with a correct striped cloth interior.

In 1996, the car was purchased from the Blackhawk Collection by its current caretaker, Thomas Derro. Over the last two decades, it was won awards including Best of Show at Lehigh in 1997 and Radnor Hunt in 2004; Best American Classic Car at Greenwich in 2005; AACA National First Prize honors in 1999; and a Classic Car Club of America Senior Premier badge, number 2086, among many other honors.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

This radical, aerodynamic design by Philip O. Wright and built by Studebaker in South Bend, Indiana was produced for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. This example is one of five examples built, of which only three survive. The original price was $10,000 and its wide-angle V-12 was the first American engine with hydraulic tappets.

The Pierce-Arrow Company descended from Heintz, Pierce, and Munschauer in Buffalo, New York. It was founded in 1865 and manufactured bird cages and iceboxes. In 1896, George N. Pierce took control of the firm and began producing bicycles. With its elegant styling, dignified advertising, and respectable dealers, the Pierce-Arrow was the choice of wealthy owners and rivaled Packard for prestige. It pioneered the extensive use of aluminum, including cast-aluminum bodies. They were also the first automaker to feature hydraulic valve operation. Unfortunately, the conservative company clung to six-cylinder engines long after rivals Packard and Cadillac introduced V-8s.

By 1926 Pierce had been forced to merge with Studebaker and move to their headquarters in South Bend, Indiana. Hoping to stimulate sales, five hand-built concept cars, designed by Ralph Roberts and called Silver Arrows, were assembled in South Bend. At the Chicago Century of Progress International exposition in 1933 - and competing with Duesenberg's 'Twenty Grand' and Packards 'Car of the Dome' - the Silver Arrow upstaged them all with its integrated body and fenders, and tapered aircraft-like shape.

The Silver Arrow pioneered modern trends such as rounded door openings, enveloped front fenders, low rooflines, and flat body sides that concealed twin spare tires. With a marketplace that was flooded with a sea of boxy sedans, the sleek show car was as modern as tomorrow.

Pierce-Arrow, best remembered for the Silver Arrow, went under in mid-1938.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 2575015
Engine number: 360001

Pierce-Arrow enjoyed remarkable prestige and standing from the earliest days of American motor cars. The original Silver Arrow was built for the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933. Its streamlined styling was the most advanced of the day. It is powered by a 12-cylinder engine of 175 horsepower and priced at a then huge sum of $10,000.

In 1933 five very special streamlined show cars were built to promote Pierce-Arrow's new and highly acclaimed V12 engine. First shown at the New York Auto Show in 1933, the Silver Arrow was designed by Phil Wright and was actually built in the Studebaker factory. The motoring press at the time heralded the Silver Arrow with the slogan 'Suddenly it's 1940!' Special attention was focused on aerodynamics; the wider-angle v12 allowed for a much lower engine bay and dramatic styling hid the twin side-mounted spare tires inside the fenders. It took over three months and thirty skilled men to build the five cars. This is one of the four Silver Arrows still known to exist. Of all the Pierce-Arrow models, the Silver Arrow is perhaps the most sought-after example of 1930s luxury cars.

This particular car, with serial number 1, caused a sensation when it was unveiled at The New York Auto Show in January of 1933. It was the most daring and radical automobile of its day, giving an unnerving glimpse into the future. The $10,000 price tag was humbling; the top speed was a death-defying 115 mph. Only five were built. This one is one of three that survive today. It took three months and thirty skilled men to build the five cars, mostly by hand. This car has scored 100 points at the CCCA Concours. Also, it has won Best of Show and most popular at the Burn Center Concours, Most Elegant at The Pebble Beach Concours, and other Best of Show at Various meets.