1903 Pierce Arrow Stanhope

By 1900, the Pierce Cycle Company, a bicycle manufacturer, began experimenting with automobiles. Pierce introduced the Motorette, a small car with a single-cylinder de Dion gasoline engine in late 1901, and embarked on demonstrating them to its Pierce bicycle agents throughout the country. By 1903, the company was offering three models of automobiles: the Runabout, the Stanhope, and a five-passenger touring car.

The company's bestseller in 1903 was the simple, yet reliable Stanhope. Pierce sold 149 units in 1903 and featured an engine nearly twice as large as the original Motorette.

The Stanhope was powered by a 6.5-horsepower single-cylinder motor and rested on a 70-inch platform. The original price was $1,150.

by Dan Vaughan

Stanhope
Chassis number: 302
Engine number: 83

Like many other manufacturers of the time, the George N. Pierce Company built bicycles during their early years before ascending to the ranking as one of the most prestigious automobiles of its time. They also built birdcages, iceboxes, and even bathtubs.

One of the individuals behind the drive to manufacture automobiles was the company's treasurer, Charles Clifton. Watching the developments in Europe, he recommended the DeDion engine, which would be used in Pierce's first gasoline-powered conveyance. However, it was British-born engineer David Fergusson who contributed most to the new Pierce car, the Motorette, which entered production near the close of 1901. A few years later, in 1903, Pierce replaced the De Dion engine in the Motorette with one of their own manufacturers. Introduced mid-year, the company introduced the Stanhope. It was similar to the Motorette but with additional room for two passengers. The seating was located ahead of the main bench seat, with a folding cover opening to serve as a backrest and the fascia board dropping forward as a footrest. In 1903, Pierce produced less than 150 examples of the Fourth Model Stanhopes.

This particular example was acquired by the current owner's father, Fred Weber, in 1948. At the time of purchase, it was in a rather poor condition. He soon took the car back to his ranch in California, where he started the process of repairing the vehicle where needed. He made new wheels, repaired the cracks in the body, and repainted the car black. The upholstery was also redone, save for the back of the folding seat, which remains original from 1903.

The car came into the care of its current owner in 1964. It was then stored away in a barn at the ranch and later moved to a commercial storage facility. In 2009, the owner decided to get the Stanhope running once more. The engine was completely rebuilt, new tires fitted, and a few pieces were also re-plated.

by Dan Vaughan

Stanhope

Heintz, Pierce, and Munschauer were founded in Buffalo, New York, in 1865. In addition to bird cages, the company produced ice boxes and other household items. In 1872, Pierce bought a controlling interest in the firm and reorganized it as the George N. Pierce Co., adding bicycles in 1896. Like many others, the lure of the automobile was far too tempting and a steam car was completed in the summer of 1900. David Fergusson joined Pierce in early 1901 and the company had its chief engineer for the next two decades. Manufacture of the one-cylinder Motorette began in late 1901. By the end of 1902, 150 were produced; another 250 in 1903.

The term Stanhope is a remnant of the horse-drawn carriage era. It is essentially a four-wheel conveyance with the engine mounted beneath the car and a fold-down front capable of carrying two additional passengers - thus the name, horseless carriage. This example has never been restored. It remained in the possession of its first owner until 1932. The current caretakers are just the fourth owners.