1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48

Pierce-Arrow quickly earned a reputation that placed them as one of the United States' most prestigious automakers, and as one of the famous 'Three P's' of American automobile luxury, along with Packard and Peerless. The company's cars were easily identifiable and recognizable from the Herbert Dawley-designed and patented fender-mounted headlamps, a feature that Pierce introduced to the American market.

The company's history dates to 1865 as Heinz, Pierce and Munschauer, known for its manufacture of household items. George N. Pierce bought a controlling interest in 1987 and reorganized the firm as the George N Pierce Company. The company's first proper motor car was completed in November 1900 powered by a French de Dion engine built under license. English-born designer David Fergusson became Chief Engineer early in 1901 and would retain this position for the next two decades. Mr. Fergusson was responsible for Pierce's first production model - the single-cylinder Motorette - along with many of the company's milestones that followed. Two-cylinder Arrow and four-cylinder Great Arrow models followed in 1904. It was around this time that the company dedicated its path to the construction of large and luxurious automobiles. This pursuit was heightened in 1905 when Percy Pierce (George's son) won the first of the famous Glidden Tours driving a Great Arrow. The next four events were also won by Pierce vehicles.

The company's first six-cylinder model arrived in 1907 and in 1909 the marque and company names changed to Pierce-Arrow. The company's decision to focus on the luxury segment was validated when US President William Howard Taft ordered two Pierce-Arrows in 1909 to be used for state occasions. Thus, Pierce-Arrow was the first automobile company to supply the White House with automobiles.

The Pierce-Arrow Model 48

Peerless and Packard introduced their new V-8 and 'Twin Six' V-12 engines in 1916 while Pierce-Arrow stuck to its line of large-displacement sixes. They would remain faithful to this philosophy through 1927. The Pierce-Arrow six was renowned for its exceptional power and near-silent operation. Their hallmark for many years was their T-head engine layout which was available in several sizes during most of the teen years. Available sizes included the 38-, 48-, and 66 horsepower variants. Powering the Model 48 was a massive 525 cubic-inch T-head inline six-cylinder engine with two valves per cylinder and hydraulic valve tappets, as well as a four-speed transmission with a reverse gear and shaft drive. The engine delivered a top speed of approximately 55 mph. The 142-inch wheelbase was suspended by a solid front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. At the rear was a live axle with three-quarter-elliptic leaf springs along with the two-wheel mechanical brakes.

The Pierce-Arrow Model 48 ranged in price from $5,000 to $6,200, depending on body style and configuration. Pierce-Arrow preferred to build their own coachwork for the company's cars, and very few examples received custom coachwork from outside coachbuilders. The Touring body style was offered with 4-, 5-, and 7-passenger configurations. The 4- and 5-passenger tourer, along with the 2- and 3-passenger runabout were priced at $4,900. The seven-passenger tourer listed at $5,000. The 2- and 3-passenger coupe were priced at $5,700, and the seven-passenger Suburban, Landaulet, and Suburban Landaulet were listed at $6,000. The Brougham was $5,800 and the Vestibule Brougham at $5,950. The Vestibule Suburban, Vestibule Landaulet, and the Vestibule Suburban Landaulet were $6,200.

Pierce-Arrow production was exclusive, with 1,118 examples built in 1914, 1,563 the following year, and 1,647 in 1916. The following year, the company's production rose slightly to 1,891 units. Production peaked during the mid-1920s with 5,231 units in 1925, 5,682 the following year, and 5,836 in 1927. The highest year of production was just before the Great Depression, with 8,422 units built in 1929.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: 14041

This particular example is a seven-passenger Touring car that was specially ordered without jump seats by Albert Swabacher. Mr. Swabacher was a banker who spent his free time at a dude ranch he owned in the Teton Mountains. This Pierce Model 48 was kept at this ranch and was used for chauffeured hunting and fishing trips. During its early years, it was converted into a sort of 'motor home' with a bed in the back where Mr. Swabacher would camp out during the hunt.

The car remained in Mr. Swabacher's care until his passing in 1963. Ownership then passed to Roy Leiske of Wisconsin. The third owner purchased the car in the mid-2000s. An exhaustive two-year restoration to original condition began a short time later. The car is finished in maroon and black, contrasted by natural rubber tires. It is equipped with a trunk as well as with straps under the top, designed to carry the occupants' hats.

Under the bonnet is a 525 cubic-inch T-head six-cylinder engine offering 48 horsepower. There is a four-speed selective sliding-gear manual transmission and rear-wheel mechanical drum brakes. The wheelbase measures 142 inches.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Scottsdale, Az. sale. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $181,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: 14727
Engine number: B4 3160

The F.R. Wood and Son Company of Brooklyn, New York was in business from 1848 to 1939. They produced mainly bus and truck bodies, however, they did cloth a small number of formal limousines, and various other bodies such as this five-passenger touring. This Model 48-B-4 has sporty lines, a deep cowl that envelopes the instrument cluster, a low-raked windshield, and a modified cast aluminum cowl. This is the sole Wood-bodied Pierce-Arrow ever built.

It is believed that this car was built for one of Wood's commercial clients on the West Coast, as it has many features intended for warm weather. The front doors feature special hardware that allows the doors to be set slightly ajar while driving, guiding fresh air into the interior around the passengers' bodies and legs. The hood sides are removable panels with mesh inserts to keep the engine running cool in hot weather. It has dual side mounts and a custom bumper made from nickel.

The car eventually made its way to the Northeast in the 1980s. It was given a mechanical restoration recently, including a complete engine rebuild with all-new Babbit bearings and a new leather cone clutch in the early 21st century. Two years later it was refinished in this dark green and black color scheme.

It has been driven in the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic, which runs between Washington state and Northern California every August.

by Dan Vaughan

Vestibule Suburban
Chassis number: 14525
Engine number: B4-2720

The Vestibule Suburban was both expensive and prestigious, and very few were built. They were built for the wealthy who were seeking a suitable means of transportation from their city to country dwellings. The tall roofline aided entry and exit in a dignified fashion, and the rear doors were curved in a similar guise to a fine manor. The enclosed coachwork provided protection from the elements, a quieter motoring experience, and privacy. Formal accessories complemented the design such as the porch-style opera lamps, window shades, and bud vases. Due to the cost, it is believed that only two examples of the Vestibule Suburban were built on the Model 48-B-4 chassis, and both remain in existence.

This particular example has a history that dates to 1957 when it was in the care of Carl Weschcke. It was later owned by Delbert Pantel of Chico, California, who completed much of the present restoration himself. Mr. Pantel had acquired the automobile in St. Paul, Minn. for $14,000 and at the time it had approximately 31,000 miles on the odometer. It received a first-place award in the Pierce-Arrow category at the Silverado Concorde sic d'Elegance held in Napa, Ca., and later that month it won its class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Mr. Pantel sold the car to the Imperial Palace Auto Collection in Las Vegas before it entered the care of its present ownership.

This Pierce-Arrow has a burgundy cloth interior.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: 14656
Engine number: B4-3105

The 1917 Pierce-Arrow Model 48-B-4 was motivated by a large 525 cubic-inch T-head inline six-cylinder engine with hydraulic valve tappets and two valves per cylinder. This example wears seven-passenger touring coachwork finished in beige with black fenders. During the 2000s, it was given a restoration and acquired by its current caretaker in 2007. The new owner had the front hydraulic brakes removed, the rear end rebuilt with a new high-speed ratio, a 2nd set of spark plugs were moved to the opposite side of the engine block for a more complete ignition, and a double coil/distributor ignition was installed by Howard Lane.

The interior features period brass ringed gauges from Westinghouse and U.S Gauges Company, and a set of well-cushioned leather seats.

by Dan Vaughan

Vestibule Suburban
Chassis number: 14525
Engine number: B4-2720

Pierce-Arrow began production of the fourth series Model 48 in 1916, offering several body styles, including this seven-seater Vestibule Suburban. Identifiable by its arched roofline over the rear doors, the Vestibule Suburban gave passengers the impression of entering a majestic, stately home. It is believed only two examples were built in 1916, partly due to its exorbitant cost of $6,200. The Model 48 was powered by the 525 cubic-inch, six-cylinder engine on the 142-inch wheelbase. In the 1970s, this Model 48 was owned and restored by Delbert Pantel of California and received first in class at the 1977 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was showcased in The Imperial Palace Auto Collection, Las Vegas, and the Blackhawk Collection, before being acquired by the current owner.

A win on Sunday meant strong sales on Monday. This was a motto many manufacturers believed in and thus, many automakers actively raced their cars to promote its capabilities. Pierce-Arrow did the same; to prove the car's durability and reliability, the mighty Pierce-Arrow was entered in the famed Glidden Tours. From 1905 through 1909, it won all five events and, except for one outing, earned perfect scores in all of them. The company handled all aspects of construction, including the coachwork, for their vehicles. This was highly unusual for the time, but Pierce-Arrow wanted to ensure high quality and maintain high standards on all facets of construction and assembly. They worked closely with their Buffalo, New York neighbor Aluminum Company of America to perfect casting techniques that produced cast-aluminum body panels as thin as 1/8-inch. This made them lightweight yet very strong.

Pierce-Arrow established its own Art Department, long before GM recruited Harley Earl to create their 'Art and Colour Department.' Herbert Dawley designed the bodies for the Pierce-Arrow automobiles and worked closely with the clientele to ensure proper colors, materials, and accessories were fitted to the vehicles.

Another venue the company explored for promoting its business was 'image.' They sought the business of prominent figures, including the White House where ever presidents from William Howard Taft through Franklin Delano Roosevelt rode in a Pierce-Arrow. Many famous movie stars of the time preferred the Pierce-Arrow, such as Mary Pickford, Tom Mix, and Gloria Swanson. This publicity generated a wealth of business for the company and its reputation continued to soar.

In 1906, Pierce-Arrow constructed an integrated factory in Buffalo that covered 1.5 million square feet on the site of the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.

In 1913, the Pierce-Arrow Company patented the design of 'headlights faired into the tops of the front fenders.' This improved the effectiveness of the headlamps and was first seen on a Model 48-B2.

The Model 48 was available in two versions, the B and D. The D versions were equipped with a Disco acetylene self-starting system.

The Pierce-Arrow Model 48 was powered by a 515 cubic-inch, T-head, inline six-cylinder, side-valve engine that produced 48.6 calculated ALAM horsepower. Its cylinders were cast in three pairs and featured two vertical plugs per cylinder. Half of the plugs were connected to a coil while the other six were connected to a magnet. A switch gave the driver the ability to select either or both. The engine did not have a hand crank; there was an air-starting device that used compressed air stored in a tank to operate a small piston engine geared to the flywheel. Once the engine was started, the driver would reverse the valve, and the air-engine became a pump that recharged the tank.

During the production lifespan of the Model 48B, a total of 825 examples were created, and each carried a price tag that ranged from $4,850 - $6,300 depending on body style and coachwork. There were more examples of the Model 48B produced than their lower-priced companion car, the Model 38C, by 209 units.

The Model 48 rested on a platform that had a wheelbase that measured nearly 12 feet. Braking was a mechanical system that took some force to operate. Wooden artillery-style wheels were at all four corners and wooden running boards were on either side of the car. The instrumentation inside was rather bare. The two more important gauges were the mile-o-meter and the drum-action Warner speedometer.

The most popular body style for the Model 48 was the Tourer which had a canvas top and had seating for around 7 individuals.

The Model 48 was a very stately and impressive car that had an awe-inspiring presence and a powerplant capable of carrying the load. These were mechanical masterpieces and truly exceptional examples of the quality and caliber the Pierce-Arrow Company was capable of producing.

by Dan Vaughan