1922 Pierce-Arrow Model 33

Like many, the George N. Pierce Company did build bicycles, but its major products were bird cages, ice boxes, and other household items. The company's treasurer, Charles Clifton, was the driving force behind the manufacture of automobiles, and he recommended the De Dion engine to be used in Pierce's first gasoline car. The development of the new Pierce car was the work of British-born engineer David Fergusson, and it entered the market late in 1901 as the Motorette. By the end of the following year, 150 examples had been built. A larger car with a five-horsepower engine was introduced in 1903, and the 'Motorette' name was retired, replaced by Runabout. The company's lineup also included a 6½-horsepower Stanhope and a two-cylinder, five-passenger touring car. Two-cylinder Arrow and four-cylinder Great Arrow models followed in 1904.

The company that would become known as 'Pierce-Arrow' began in 1865 as Heinz, Pierce and Munschauer. George N. Pierce acquired a controlling interest in 1872, reorganizing the firm as the George N Pierce Company. During the early years of the George N. Pierce Company's auto manufacturing efforts, the company was simply the Pierce, and Arrow referred to a model. In 1908, Pierce Motor Company was renamed as the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company.

In 1905, Percy Pierce (George's son) won the first of the Glidden Tours driving a Great Arrow, followed by victory in the next four events by Pierce automobiles. In 1907, the first six-cylinder model was introduced, and in 1909, U.S. President William Howard Taft ordered two Pierce-Arrows to be used for state occasions, thus honoring the company with the distinction of supplying the White House's first official automobiles.

Herbert M. Dawley joined the company in 1912 and would design nearly every model until 1938. His styling hallmark was introduced in 1914 when he relocated the headlights from the traditional placement at the radiator's sides into flared housings within the front fenders of the car. This patented design would endure until the final models of 1938. On occasion, when clients requested a more traditional headlamp arrangement, the company would honor their request with a more conventional layout.

The Pierce-Arrow company was innovative and renowned for its technological sophistication. They pioneered hydraulic tappets, power brakes, and the use of aluminum. Their engines were a marvel of engineering in their day with their unique multi-valve configuration.

Although its chief rivals Peerless and Packard introduced a V-8 and V-12, respectively, in 1916, Pierce-Arrow held firm to its tried-and-true inline six-cylinder engine through 1927.

Pierce-Arrow Model 33

The Pierce-Arrow Model 33 was introduced in 1921 and was the company's flagship model throughout most of the Roaring Twenties. The 138-inch wheelbase chassis was offered with about a dozen different body styles from the factory, with the aluminum coachwork formed over northern white ash frames with steel fenders and hoods. The motivation was courtesy of the legendary six-cylinder T-head engine with a 414 cubic-inch displacement, four valves, two spark plugs per cylinder, a single-piece cylinder block, and a detachable head. The aluminum crankcase housing the two camshafts was gear-driven off the crankshaft, while the Delco dual-ignition system used two coils mounted on the firewall and a single dual-distributor unit with two distributor caps to fire the spark plugs. The Dual-Valve configuration cylinder head layout allowed the driver to flip a switch, setting it to run on either left or right sets of spark plugs, or both simultaneously for maximum output of an estimated 100 horsepower. The engine was paired with a three-speed manual transmission with a dry-plate clutch, and four-wheel mechanical brakes kept the vehicle in the driver's control. The suspension was via solid front and semi-floating rear axles with semi-elliptical leaf springs.

The Model 33 was the company's first model with left-hand drive and is noted for their great power, flexibility, and excellent road manners.

The 1922 Pierce-Arrow Model 33

The Model 33 was a versatile vehicle with body styles that ranged from coupe and roadsters to Limousines and seven-passenger tourers. Prices began at $6,500 and rose to $8,500, far exceeding the prices of comparable Packard and Peerless vehicles.

The body styles on the 1922 Model 33 included a 4- and 7-passenger tourer, a 4-passenger sedan, a Vestibule sedan, a roadster, a coupe sedan, a 3-passenger coupe, a limousine, a formal limousine, and a landaulet.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 332157

One of Pierce-Arrow's most prominent and famous features was the headlights cowled into the front fenders. This feature was designed in-house in 1913 and patented by Herbert M. Dawley. This design element would characterize all models until the end of production in 1938. The firm pioneered the extensive use of aluminum, power-assisted braking, and the introduction of hydraulic tappets. Even though the company was willing to embrace new technology, it remained wedded to traditional styling and exclusively six-cylinder engines.

The Series 33 was the company's first model with a left-hand drive. Their line had consolidated as the need for the massive displacement Series 51 was no longer necessary for sufficient power. Pierce-Arrow's advanced engine design with its four valves per cylinder, dual plug ignition, monobloc six offered plenty of power.

This Model 33 Sedan is a restored vehicle powered by the famous T-head, twin-plug, six-cylinder engine. It has nickel-plated fittings, tan leather upholstery, and solid oak artillery wheels. It is believed to have been built for Milton S. Hershey, founder of the chocolate manufacturing company of Pennsylvania. It was later given to President Herbert Hoover and used at his daughter's wedding.

In 2009, this Model 33 Sedan was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $40,000 - $65,000. At the auction, bidding reached $50,000, yet it was not sold.

by Dan Vaughan

The Series 33 represented the peak in the development of Pierce-Arrow's dual valve, T-head engine design. The result was a very quiet and powerful engine that soon became popular with both the driving public and the rumrunners of Prohibition. It was common for these engines to also be used in speedboats and as stationary power sources after they had powered their luxury autos for a number of years.

Limousine
Chassis number: 336048

This 1922 Pierce-Arrow Model 33 was given its Enclosed Drive Limousine coachwork from the factory. It has a thick divider window that separates the driver from the passengers, with the rear compartment lined in Yankee pinstripe-style upholstery and equipped with a cigar smoke vent in the roof as well as a special liquor compartment that still holds a well-aged bottle of bourbon. These unique features help perpetuate long-held undocumented rumors that this Limousine was once owned by renowned baseball player and Pierce-Arrow enthusiast Babe Ruth.

More recently, this Limousine has been cared for within single-family ownership for nearly five decades. In 2020, this Limousine was sold to American classic car collector Conrad Fletcher. It remains in largely original condition and holds Classic Car Club of America Full Classic status.

by Dan Vaughan

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