1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 38 Series 5

Touring
Chassis number: 311062

This 1919 Pierce-Arrow Series 5 Model 38 Seven Passenger Touring was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $125,000. The estimates were nearly accurate as the lot was sold for a high bid of $132,000 including the buyer's premium.

It is one of the last of the Pierce-Arrow Model 38 Tourers produced. It has been treated to a complete restoration since new and still shows well in modern times. It is painted in burgundy paint with black fenders and a black cloth top. The black leather interior has held up well and is in very good condition.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: 311248

This 1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 38 Suburban was also brought to the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $65,000 - $85,000 and was offered without reserve. The estimates, again, were nearly accurate as the lot was sold for a high bid of $99,000 including the buyer's premium.

Its odometer reads just under 46,000 miles since new. Its current owner purchased the car from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum and has treated the car with great care since that time.

There were fewer than 1,000 Pierce-Arrows of all body styles built in 1919, and even fewer have survived to modern times. It is rare that these elegant creations come up for sale, and this one is in very fine condition and rides on a very large 142-inch wheelbase. Its demeanor portrays elegance and ambiance.

by Dan Vaughan

The six-cylinder Pierce-Arrow Model 38 was introduced in 1913 and would remain in production for a number of years accounting for many of the vehicles produced by Pierce-Arrow. The entire range of Pierce-Arrows were built with craftsmanship and a high level of quality. Their use and experimentation with aluminum throughout the years led to successful implementation resulting in lightweight bodies that were rigid and lacked vibration, buckling, or warping with excessive use or in extreme temperatures. The construction with the aluminum was a time consuming and expensive process and accounted for part of the hefty price tag of the vehicle.

In 1919, the Seven-Passenger Touring Model had a base price of $6,500 which was well above the industry average and one of the more expensive vehicles offered for sale. The Seven Passenger Suburban cost $5,000. For that price, the buyer received a car that rested on a wheelbase that measured 142-inches and was powered by a six-cylinder engine that had dual-valve and dual ignition and displaced 414 cubic-inches. The result was 38 horsepower which was sent through the four-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels, which were also responsible for the mechanical braking. The Seven Passenger Touring Model had a wheelbase of 134 inches.

by Dan Vaughan