Vehicle Description
1927 Pierce Arrow Model 80 Sedan
The Series 80 was Pierce-Arrow's entry into the upper-mid priced
market, competing with Packard. A big 6 cylinder engine, high
quality, though lacking in a bit of the plushness of the top end
models the 80's cast-iron six only displaced 288.7ci. It was rated
at a taxable 38hp, but actually produced 65hp at 2,700rpm at the
rear wheels, a high-winding power plant from a company whose 66 had
made peak torque at 850rpm. A Series 80 Pierce with light bodywork
could hit 65mph, and cruise at 55mph careful driving yielded
17mpg.
For consignment, a barn find car in the form of the Pierce Arrow
Model 80 4 door sedan. This car will need plenty of TLC as it
presents in rough exterior and rough interior condition. The engine
will need to be rebuilt and some surface rust remediation will have
to be performed.
Exterior
Typical for 1927, car manufacturers were basically using the same
design for the cues in their looks with a few items that may set
them apart from the competition. This car has a front bar stock
bumper and it is surface rusted. Behind this is a shiny chromed
grille for the radiator surround topped by a Pierce badged
temperature gauge radiator cap. The chrome is pitted and has the
beginnings of rust, as does the cap. Large headlights protrude from
the curved fenders which are black and have a running board
connecting them in the center below the 4 doors. A cowled hood,
firewall and passenger tub are all painted in medium green which
has a lot of blue in its overall tint. The paint is peeling, has
surface rust, and shows plenty of cracking throughout. The roof and
front visor are covered in cracked aged dry rotted canvas. The
glass is all there and is not delaminated. The door handles are
brass and create flattened rings to turn for access to the
passenger compartment. For the black of the car we see a split dual
bar bumper painted black. Also, on either side are a trio of brass
bezel tail lights and dual spare tires with no wheels mounted just
aft of the black painted fuel tank. The car rides on light green
painted 21-inch wood spoked wheels with wide white sidewall
rubber.
Interior
Swinging any of the 4 doors reveals a door panel in grayish brown
broadcloth and a lower carpeted strip. All panels are rough and
show some holes and wear off of the cloth. Silver patinaed pulls
and cranks are on the doors as well. Inside we can sit upon an
overstuffed tuck and roll semi curved front bench. This broadcloth
in the gray brown color way and shows with wear off and areas where
the stuffing is coming out of it. The piping for the edges is worn
as well and on the back of the front bench is a rope which is dry
rotted. Plenty of room for the rear bench which has a large
carpeted floor also very worn. The rear bench has seen better days
with more deep tuck and roll, wear off and some holes with stuffing
coming out of various areas. Armrests are built into the side
panels for this bench and a bud vase in cut glass is on either C
pillar in the inside. We also see a foldout footrest below the rear
bench. Upfront, a curved dash top is all steel and is very rusted.
It overhangs a steel dash front which is also surface rusted and
houses some oval gauges with brass ornaments bezels, one is missing
and hanging under the dash. The floors in front are rubber lined
and this too is well worn and dirty. The original wood rimmed
steering wheel is fronting the dash and above is a long broadcloth
gray sagging headliner.
Drivetrain
Under the cowled hood is a 288ci L-head 6 cylinder engine and it
has no cylinder head. There is a 3-speed manual transmission on the
back and the rear axle specsout as a 4.45 gear ratio. A total
mechanical rebuild will be necessary for this car to eventually
run.
Undercarriage
Plenty of patina, surface rust, and some aged wood for the
floorboards, (literally boards), are seen throughout. The running
board, hangers, and frame are patina riddled and corroded. Simple
leaf sprung suspension is on all 4 corners and mechanical drum
braking is also noted all around.
An interesting car with some brass accenting, 4 doors, a hint of
luxury with the rear bench interior room and cut glass vases
accenting the interior. It just needs plenty of TLC and a chauffeur
and you will be arriving as the belle of the ball.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
