Vehicle Description
Once the pride of Buffalo, New York, Pierce-Arrow was once one of
the most revered automobile manufacturers in America. The "Three
Ps" of Packard, Peerless, and Pierce-Arrow enjoyed fiercely loyal
clientele who demanded nothing less than the best in their
motorcars. Yet in spite of their impeccable reputation, building
automobiles to such high standards was a costly undertaking, with a
narrow market. Competition from Cadillac did not help, as GM had
substantial cash reserves that the independents could not match. As
America approached the cusp of the Great Depression, Peerless did
not survive past 1931, Packard took to adding a junior line to
supplement sales, and Pierce-Arrow struggled with outdated engines
and a lack of resources to modernize their range. In 1928,
Pierce-Arrow was rescued - at least temporarily - by an unlikely
source: Albert Erskine of the Studebaker Corporation. Studebaker
had a reputation for sturdy, practical cars that weren't
particularly stylish. They had recently added the low-cost Erskine
line to supplement the bottom line, making Pierce-Arrow a
prestigious bookend to their portfolio. The move made Studebaker
the fourth-largest car company in America, and with it,
Pierce-Arrow received a $2M influx of cash. With the new
investment, Pierce-Arrow could finally produce the beautiful L-head
8-cylinder engine that had been in the works for several years,
bringing them back up to par with Packard and Cadillac. Some
production was moved from Buffalo, although Studebaker allowed
Pierce-Arrow engineers to remain in control of their process.
Studebaker cast the new blocks in their South Bend foundry, albeit
in a higher grade alloy reserved for Pierce-Arrow engines. While
Studebaker offered an eight-cylinder engine of its own design for
the President, the Pierce design was unique, offering nine main
bearings to Studebaker's five, and with a competitive 125
horsepower output and high levels of refinement. The 366 cubic-inch
eight-cylinder appeared across the range in 1929, which featured a
heavily revised chassis and all-new, more modern styling to align
the whole car with the new power plant. The fresh and contemporary
makeover retained Pierce's trademark headlamps in the front fenders
but featured a new face that was in keeping with modern times. Two
models were available, the Model 125 with a 133-inch wheelbase, and
the Model 126, with a 143-inch wheelbase. Pierce-Arrow's
traditional buyers tended toward the conservative, so most of the
cars produced in 1929 left the Buffalo works wearing formal,
understated coachwork. But with eight body styles to choose from on
the 125, a few sportier cars such as the 2/4-passenger roadster
found favor with the more adventurous buyer. Some tend to forget
what a remarkable automobile company Pierce-Arrow was. In addition
to providing an elegant and refined way to get from here to there,
the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company made several critical
contributions to the history of the industry, pioneering the
concept of power braking as well as remarkable early experiments in
light alloy construction, streamlined bodywork, and power steering.
This rare and stylish 1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 125 Roadster is one
of just 8,422 units produced by Pierce-Arrow for 1929. It was
discovered on a ranch in central Oregon in 1965 by Ray Rumford, who
encouraged his friend Sam Merrell to purchase the car. Mr. Merrell
brought it to his hometown of Beaverton, Oregon, and put it in
storage where it sat until 1993. Later that year, the well-earned
restoration finally began, which consumed the next five years.
During the project, Ray Graber of San Diego meticulously rebuilt
the wood structure, and the interior restoration was by the
respected experts Ken and Cindy Nemanic. With the body restored, it
was refinished to a high standard in a handsome two-tone tan
livery, with color-keyed artillery wheels and whitewall tires. This
sporting Pierce-Arrow's well-preserved restoration makes it
suitable for touring, as it remains crisp and elegant with a subtle
character acquired through time and gentle use. The body features
numerous accessories including dual side-mount spares, a trunk
rack, fold-down windscreen, running lights, and the iconic Archer
mascot. The tan canvas top and matching spare wheel covers are in
excellent condition, and the car is quite attractive with the roof
raised or folded. The two-passenger cockpit features excellent tan
leather seats and door panels, oatmeal carpets, and factory correct
instrumentation and switchgear. A 1964 State of Louisiana
inspection sticker and 1965 AACA Glidden Tour decals on the
windshield provide a glimpse of its earlier history. Being a Model
125, it rides on a 133-inch wheelbase chassis, and power is
supplied by Pierce-Arrow's smooth and refined 125-horsepower L-head
inline eight-cylinder engine. The presentation is honest and tidy
under the hood, with mostly correct type hardware, fittings, and
plumbing. Ideally suited for touring, this sporty and stylish
Pierce-Arrow is eligible for all CCCA CARavans and would be a
marvelous companion for any number of similar events where its
style, poise, and performance are best appreciated. Offers welcome
and trades considered For additional details please view this
listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6588-1929-pierce-arrow-model-125-roadster/
