1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 42

By the 1930s, the Pierce-Arrow had established a long and prestigious history built around its line of durable, powerful, and attractive automobiles. They were the choice of several United States Presidents, the American elite, Royalty, celebrities, and Heads of State. By as early as 1909, the White House ordered two for state occasions. Pierce-Arrow became synonymous with the ultimate in motoring luxury and remained at the pinnacle of the American fine car market during the 1920s. Along with Packard and Peerless, Pierce-Arrow represented one of the famous 'Three Ps.'

The merger with Studebaker in 1928 was controversial yet necessary, as it provided Pierce-Arrow with the funds to develop new engines and models. Pierce-Arrow had clung to traditional styling, and its range of sixes was overshadowed by an increasingly multi-cylinder marketplace. When Studebaker purchased Pierce-Arrow in 1928 for $5.7 million, it became the fourth-largest automobile manufacturer in the United States. Pierce-Arrow sales declined throughout the 1920s, making the merger with Studebaker a necessity. In 1929, Pierce-Arrow joined the ranks of other marques with the introduction of an eight-cylinder engine, breaking the marque's long-standing reliance on six-cylinder power.

In October of 1929, the stock market crashed sending Wall Street into a panic that quickly wiped out millions of investors. An inability to purchase goods and services caused steep declines in industrial output resulting in many companies being forced into recession. Despite the Great Depression, Pierce-Arrow resolutely continued to focus on the dwindling luxury car segment by building luxury cars for its discerning clientele.

Noted designer Ray Dietrich joined the company near the close of the 1920s and was tasked with redesigning the entire model line. Along with the factory bodies, he also added coach-built custom models. A 1930 coach-built parade car was sold to the Shah of Persia, which set a record for the most expensive car in the world at the time with a price of $30,000.

The new Pierce-Arrow Model 41, 42, and 43 were announced in January of 1931, with body designs only slightly different than the prior year. Distinguishable features included a deeper radiator shell and more brightwork, along with a new bareheaded archer radiator mascot. Technical innovations for 1931 included freewheeling, which allowed for easy downhill coasting without the need to disengage the transmission or depress the clutch pedal. The 385.6 cubic-inch, nine-bearing L-head inline 8-cylinder engine used a single Stromberg Updrat carburetor that helped produced 132 horsepower at 3,000 RPM. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel Bendix Duo-Servo mechanical drum brakes provided the stopping power. The suspension was comprised of a conventional leaf spring setup with a solid front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

The three models offered by Pierce-Arrow in 1931 were built in three ranges, offering a choice of three engine displacements and four wheelbase lengths. The Model 42 rested on a 142-inch wheelbase with prices ranging from $3,300 to $4,000 for factory coachwork. Most Pierce-Arrow bodies were built in-house, where craftsmen built them to the highest coach-building standards. Pierce-Arrow's signature fender-mounted headlamps, a marque tradition since 1913, were standard. The radiator shell and many other smaller components were made from chrome-plated rustless steel.

Several luxury car makers of the era moved downmarket in attempts to increase cash flow by offering a product that was more attainable to a larger public. Pierce-Arrow remained staunchly committed to the luxury car segment and to its discerning customers, never sacrificing quality in the interest of lower cost or greater production. By 1938, they were out of business.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Tourer
Chassis number: 2525250

For 1931, Pierce-Arrow offered the Model 41, 42, and 43. The Model 41 had a 147-inch platform, while the Model 42 had a 142-inch wheelbase. The Model 43 came in two sizes, a 134- and 137-inch size. All three had an eight-cylinder engine, ranging from 125 to 132 HP.

The four-passenger Pierce-Arrow Model 42 Sport Phaeton was new in 1931 and sold new for $3,785. This example has had just four owners from new and currently shows about 15,000 miles. The car is painted in a two-tone Forest Green/Kelly Green exterior color scheme. The car's history includes parade duty, and it was properly outfitted to perform this task with its fold-down windshield and wind wings and aluminum framing, heavy-duty solid bumpers, a deleted rear footrest (allowing better standing) and the substitution of the usual side-mounted spare tires for a rear-mounted spare tire.

The car is believed to have carried New York's then-Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt and Al Smith, a former New York Governor (1923-1928), to the landmark opening of the George Washington Bridge on October 24, 1931.

Ed and Dot Mueller purchased this Pierce from Mr. Walker's estate in 1946. During their ownership, the car also received new top and side curtains, with the latter stowed within the original storage case. Next, Dr. Richard Schultz of Fort Lauderdale acquired the Pierce before the current owner purchased it in 1996.

This car has never been completely restored. It has been repainted once, the wire-spoke wheels were powder-coated, the wheel trim rings were re-plated, a new set of double universal whitewall tires with new flaps and tubes was installed, and the engine received a new water-jacket cover. Period features found on this car include an original Pierce-Arrow radiator stone guard, Trippe lights with leveling bubbles, rare original headlight lenses, an iconic 'archer' radiator mascot, a regular hood cap, a fold-down windshield, and wind wings.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Hershey, PA sale presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $130,000 - $170,000. Bidding reached $105,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 2525124

The appearance of the 1931 Pierce-Arrows received little change from the previous year's models, however, the chassis frames were new and were built in three ranges and with a choice of three engine displacements and four wheelbase lengths. The Model 42 was powered by the nine-bearing 5997cc straight-eight engine fitted with a single Updraft Stromberg carburetor and offering 125 horsepower.

This Pierce-Arrow Convertible Coupe is finished in two-tone red coachwork with chromed hood louvers and stainless steel Budd wheels. There is a tan interior with a matching tan top. It is a meticulously restored example that was the recipient of the Bernard J. Weis Trophy at the Pierce Arrow national meet. The car has a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel Bendix mechanical drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

Having built its first car in 1901, the George N. Pierce Company became the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company in 1908. Over the three decades that followed, the Buffalo, New York automaker would produce some of America's finest luxury cars. The last Pierce-Arrows were 1938 models.

In every respect, the Pierce-Arrow was a quality product, from its chassis of exceptional reliability and durability to bodies that utilized cast-aluminum panels. Most Pierce-Arrow bodies were built in-house, where they were crafted to the highest coach-building standards.

When Studebaker purchased Pierce Arrow in 1928 for $5.7 million, it became the fourth-largest automobile manufacturer in the United States. Noted designer Ray Dietrich joined the company and redesigned the entire model line. He also added coach-built custom models to the factory-bodied lineup. A 1930 coach-built parade car was sold to the Shah of Persia, which set a record for the most expensive car in the world at the time with a price of $30,000.

Pierce Arrow introduced an all-new model line in 1929. The six-cylinder engine was replaced with a straight eight. This 366 cubic-inch engine generated 125 horsepower and, according to Pierce-Arrow, provided a top speed of 85 miles per hour. Other improvements over the six-cylinder were L-Head valves instead of a T-head and a Stromberg UU-2 carburetor.

The Pierce-Arrow Model 42 line featured new and distinctly modern styling for 1931. The 142-inch wheelbase Convertible model, with its high beltline and broad belt moldings, was especially long, low, and sleek in appearance. Pierce-Arrow's signature fender-mounted headlamps, a marque tradition since 1913, were standard. Chrome-plated rustless steel was used for the radiator shell and numerous smaller components on the 1931 Pierces.

This Model 42 Pierce-Arrow is powered by an L-head inline eight displacing 385 cubic inches, making it the largest of three engines produced by Pierce for 1931. The robust 132-horsepower engine's nine main bearings help it to deliver exceptional smoothness. 'Free-wheeling,' a supposed gas-saving feature briefly popular in the early 1930s, was designed into the manual transmission. The list price in 1931 for this Series 42 Convertible Coupe with standard equipment was a princely $3,650, a sum roughly equivalent at the time to the cost of six new Ford Model A convertibles.

This Model 80 Convertible Coupe is one of approximately 50 built. It has been carefully restored to its original glory. It is a Classic Car Club of America national award winner and 1st place winner at the Pierce National event. The current owners are the fourth and there are currently five Model 80 Convertible Coupes known to exist.

Sport Tourer
Chassis number: 1025047

Pierce-Arrow introduced the new Model 41, 42, and 43 in January of 1931, with bodies differing in design only slightly from 1930. There was a deeper radiator shell, a new bareheaded archer radiator mascot, and heightened brightwork. Technical innovations introduced in 1931 included freewheeling, which allowed for easy downhill coasting without the need to disengage the transmission or depress the clutch pedal.

This particular example is a 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 42 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton riding on the 142-inch wheelbase length and had a factory list price of $3,750 when new. Since the early 1970s, this Pierce-Arrow has had just three owners since new. The current owner has owned it since 2005.

This Pierce-Arrow received a restoration during the early 1970s which earned it AACA National First Prize honors at the 1974 Hershey Fall Meet. It wears two-tone Tan and Maroon exterior colors over Maroon leather upholstery. Features and amenities include running-board courtesy lights, dual side-mounted spares, a rear luggage rack, and a trunk.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer
Chassis number: 2525462

The current owner of this Pierce-Arrow acquired it in December of 2000 from Hollis G. 'Duke' Davenport, who is believed to have purchased it from Owen Stevens, who in turn had purchased the car from a G. Lagueux of Quebec in Canada.

This Pierce-Arrow is believed to be in original and complete condition. It has a secondary windshield and its 366 cubic-inch L-head inline-8 cylinder engine uses a single Updraft Stromberg carburetor to produce 125 horsepower at 3,000 RPM. There is a four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel Bendix mechanical drum brakes, and a leaf spring suspension.

by Dan Vaughan