Vehicle Description
Pierce-Arrow of Buffalo, New York was once counted among the most
prestigious and revered automobile manufacturers in the world. The
path to greatness winds back to 1865, with the founding of Heintz,
Pierce, and Munschauer. The company manufactured exquisite quality
gilded birdcages, ice boxes, and various high-end household
appliances. In 1872, the middle partner bought out his colleagues
and reorganized as the George N. Pierce Company. Bicycles were soon
added to the portfolio, and Pierce became a leading manufacturer in
that market. In 1900, company Treasurer Colonel Charles Clifton
urged Pierce to pursue the development of an automobile. Their
first such machine, a steam-powered car, was a failure, but they
pressed on regardless and abandoned steam power for the preferred
petrol power for their second effort. In early 1901, Pierce hired
the English-born engineer David Fergusson, who designed the firm's
first production cars around a single-cylinder gasoline engine.
Fergusson was essential to Pierce's growth in the motorcar
industry, and he served as chief engineer for the next twenty
years. The first production Pierce automobiles were called
"Motorette" and featured four wheels, and a single cylinder engine
that was remarkably similar in appearance to the De Dion unit they
previously built under license. Power output grew steadily every
year from the 2 � horsepower models of 1901 to 8 horsepower by
1904. A two-speed planetary gearbox sent the drive to the rear
axle, which featured two wheel brakes build into the hubs. Steering
was by a wheel, which was a rather innovative feature in a time
when tiller steering was still the standard. Customers could opt
for the runabout, touring, or this somewhat unusual Stanhope model,
with its folding, two-place dicky seat positioned ahead of the
driver. The Pierce Motorette sold well and is served the company
well by laying the foundation for the four and six-cylinder models
that would further cement Pierce's standing at the pinnacle of the
automobile industry. This exceptionally rare 1904 Pierce Motorette
Model 8M Stanhope is a marvelous, well-preserved early motorcar
that is VCC dated and a proven veteran of the world-famous
London-Brighton Veteran Car Run. It is one of just 600 Pierce
Motorettes produced from 1901-1905 and one of approximately 35
known survivors. In addition to its rarity, it has a fascinating
provenance. In the early 1950s, it is understood that the Pierce
was part of the Autorama Museum in Hypoluxo, Florida. Founded by
the famous tenor opera singer and entertainer James Melton, the
Autorama Museum showcased his impressive collection of important
motorcars. After departing the Autorama collection, the next owner
was A. Atwater Kent, Junior, son of the founder of the Atwater Kent
Manufacturing Company. His family business manufactured
high-quality radios, and his father held patents for automobile
ignition systems, including the so-called Unisparker. Mr. Kent
later donated the Pierce Motorette to the Pennsylvania Historical &
Museum Commission, where it was put on display in their museum in
Harrisburg, PA. In the late 1990s, the little Pierce was sold out
of the museum, journeying across the pond to England where it got a
new lease on life at the hands of a dedicated enthusiast, Mr.
Charles Brown. Brown, along with Alan Hancock who maintained the
car, carefully preserved the Pierce and painstakingly prepared it
for acceptance into the VCC, with the goal of running it in veteran
car tours and events. According to the history file, there appears
to be some discrepancy as to whether this Motorette was a 1903 or
1904 model; however, it is titled and officially dated by the
Veteran Car Club of Britain as a 1904 model and includes its
Certificate of Date (Number 2264), issued in 1999. Since receiving
its certification, it successfully completed the London-Brighton
run an impressive seven times, between 2003-2005 and 2007-2010.
More recently, this charming Pierce Motorette has been maintained
by an active US-based car collector and enthusiast. It presents
with an attractive patina and the appealing character of a
well-loved event car. The wood body is in good overall condition,
finished in dark green with cream stripes and black metal
mudguards. There are some cracks in the woodwork and plenty of
age-appropriate wear, yet it manages to be delightfully honest and
appealing, wearing its patina like a badge of honor. The body
features the aforementioned forward-mounted dicky seat, which
cleverly folds away into an attractively curved cowl when not in
use. Accessories include dual Gray & Davis carriage lamps, and a
matching Gray & Davis tail lamp. Original cast step plates are
intact, and the seat upholstery remains in very good condition,
with a consistent patina on both the driver's seat and dicky seat.
Pierce's robust single cylinder engine sits beneath the driver and
is in excellent mechanical condition. It is appropriately presented
for a car that gets driven and enjoyed, while it benefits from
regular maintenance at the hands of its current owner. Records show
the engine was thoroughly serviced and it runs with remarkable
alacrity. A rare and delightful motor car, this charming example of
George N. Pierce's earliest efforts has a fascinating history with
pioneering automobile collectors, and it has been enjoyed to the
fullest by its recent owners. With official certification by the
VCC, it is eligible for numerous veteran car events worldwide and
is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, wherever it takes its next keeper.
For additional details please view this listing directly on our
website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6354-1904-pierce-arrow-motorette/