1920 Peerless Model 56

The Peerless Motor Car Company was established in 1889, originally a manufacturer of washing-machine wringers, bicycles, and automotive parts before becoming an automobile manufacturer. Along with Packard and Pierce-Arrow, Peerless catered to the luxury segment and was renowned for its silent operation, durability, and comfort.

Peerless offered its 1920 Model 56 in five different body styles, all resting on a 125-inch wheelbase. The seven-passenger touring and roadster body style had a base price of $2,900, the coupe was priced at $3,500, the seven-passenger sedan at $3,700, and the Limousine at $3,900. The V-8 engine delivered 80 horsepower, and a total of 6,213 examples were built in 1920. The Model 56 was the sole Peerless model from 1916 through 1923. Peerless continued to offer a single 8-cylinder model in 1923 and 1924 before diversifying its lineup for 1925.

In 1921, Peerless was sold to Richard H. Collins, whose resume included president and general manager of Cadillac. Mr. Collins brought several Cadillac engineers with him, and the current Peerless chief engineer, W.R. Strickland, promptly went to Cadillac. Collins, along with many of the Cadillac's engineers, association with Peerless was brief, ending in 1923 and moving on to Pontiac. The new Peerless management team included the former Oldsmobile president Edward Ver Linden and new chief engineer Fred W. Slack who had apprenticed at Packard and joined Peerless in 1908.

Peerless broaden its appeal in 1925 with the introduction of a new six-cylinder model powered by a Continental engine. The Peerless-built V-8 powered model remained the Paragon within the company's lineup, although it was phased out in 1928, replaced by a straight-eight built by Continental. Although its mechanical prowess was rather tame going into the 1930s, its styling was modern and elegant, courtesy of designer Alexis de Saknoffsky.

When Ver Linden left his position at Peerless for new opportunities at Jordan in 1928, vice-president Leon R. German received a promotion. The following year, James A. Bohannon, formerly the vice president of Marmon, took over the presidency of Peerless.

A victim of the automobile manufacturing financial realities of the time, coupled with an unstable management system, Peerless built its last car on June 20, 1931.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 15267

The Peerless Motor Car Company was established in Cleveland, Ohio in 1889, at the time they were known as the Peerless Wringer & Mfg. Company. In 1892 it became known as the Peerless Mfg Company, originally a washing-machine wringers producer. In 1895 the company moved to new facilities and began soon began making bicycles. By the turn of the century, they were making automotive parts, at which time they were renamed the Peerless Motor Car Company.

Their craft was in the luxury car segment, hand-building elegant and stately machines that rivaled all others that traversed the roadway. They were one of the 'Three P's', sharing that title with Packard and Pierce, which were the dominant players that catered to the wealthy in society.

Peerless ran advertising that touted their product as having 'Silence and Comfort, all that the name implies.'

In the post-war recession of the 1920s, Peerless, like many other prominent nameplates of the time, was forced to cater to a wider audience to stimulate sales. They lowered their prices and attempted to promote medium-sized cars. As the 1920s came to a close and followed by the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Peerless company was forced to close its doors forever. The company went out of business in 1931.

The Peerless V8

Peerless introduced its V8 engine in 1916. It displaced 331.8 cubic inches and had side valves built by Herschell-Spillman. This would be the only engine option offered by Peerless until the lower-priced Model 6-70 was introduced in 1925.

This Car

This Model 56 Cloverleaf Roadster was given a restoration in the early 2000s. It has aluminum coachwork that is finished in light blue with black fenders. The four-door 'Cloverleaf' configuration has a close-coupled four-seat cockpit and a small luggage compartment. The interior is upholstered in black leather and there is a black canvas top. The brightwork is all genuine nickel.

The Herschell-Spillman V8 is a third-generation design and features a Ball and Ball carburetor, which is believed to be the first progressive four-barrel type in the industry. Also, there is a Kellogg water-cooled four-cylinder tire pump.

In 2009, it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey sale presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $60,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $28,600, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan