Pierce-Arrow's heyday was in the years before the Great War, years when engineering predominated and corporate styling staffs were unknown. By the end of the war Pierce automobiles were conservatively designed to the point of looking old-fashioned.
And from 1913 through the 1932 model year most Pierce-Arrow front fenders sprouted a strange, awkward, ugly headlight housing. I wrote about that in my post "Not All Pierce-Arrows Had Those Awful Headlights," where I noted that some Pierce-Arrows had conventional assemblies and looked better for it. As will be seen below, starting in 1933 headlight assemblies became better integrated with other aspects of the car's design.
As for Pierce-Arrow styling in general, discounting prewar models, the best-looking cars were those for model years 1929-1933, especially 1933 when the those headlight stalks disappeared. There was an unfortunate redesign for 1934 that might have helped kill the company.
Below are some examples of Pierce-Arrow design in the period 1925-1936.
Gallery
1925 Pierce-Arrow Model 80 2-door coach - for sale
An example of a design that seemed old-fashioned at the time. Pierce-Arrow's marketing strength was its high quality engineering and assembly.
1927 Pierce-Arrow Model 35 Limousine - for sale
The same applies here. Note the headlight assembly stalks.
1928 Pierce-Arrow Model 81 4-door sedan - for sale
This car has normal (for 1928) headlight assemblies. Model 81s appeared for 1928 only, but passenger compartment details were carried over to 1929.
1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133 4-door sedan
The front from the cowling forward was redesigned to house the new inline-eight cylinder motor that replaced sixes. The grille design is handsome in an understated way.
1930 Pierce-Arrow Model 41 Sport Sedan by LeBaron - Barrrett-Jackson Auction photo
Custom bodies were rare for Pierce-Arrow, as were two-segment windshields.
1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 836 Sedan - RM Sotheby's
Headlights are now blended into the front fenders. The grille is V'd and slanted, conforming the the then-new streamlining fashion. All-told, an attractive design in Pierce-Arrow's context.
1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1242 Seven Passenger Sedan - Owls Head Auction photo
This V-12 engined car is more traditionally styled.
1934 Pierce-Arrow Five Passenger Sedan - Auctions America photo
Pierce-Arrows were redesigned for 1934, this being perhaps the most attractive example. Its one-piece windshield is sort of old-fashioned (though Lincolns and some Chrysler Corporation cars retained them well into the 1930s), but a V'd, two-segment design would have been better. This design was in line with 1934 expectations aside from Chrysler-DeSoto Airflows and the redesigned Cadillacs and LaSalles.
1935 Pierce-Arrow Sedan - Mecum Auction photo
Similar car, next model year. But about to drop behind the times.
1936 Pierce-Arrow DeLuxe Sedan - Auctions America
A longer four-door sedan with restyled headlight assemblies. It looks out of date and not upscale. The main problem is the passenger compartment greenhouse with its flat windshield and nondescript side windows. Pierce-Arrow died shortly after the next model year.
As for Pierce-Arrow styling in general, discounting prewar models, the best-looking cars were those for model years 1929-1933, especially 1933 when the those headlight stalks disappeared. There was an unfortunate redesign for 1934 that might have helped kill the company.
Below are some examples of Pierce-Arrow design in the period 1925-1936.
An example of a design that seemed old-fashioned at the time. Pierce-Arrow's marketing strength was its high quality engineering and assembly.
The same applies here. Note the headlight assembly stalks.
This car has normal (for 1928) headlight assemblies. Model 81s appeared for 1928 only, but passenger compartment details were carried over to 1929.
The front from the cowling forward was redesigned to house the new inline-eight cylinder motor that replaced sixes. The grille design is handsome in an understated way.
Custom bodies were rare for Pierce-Arrow, as were two-segment windshields.
Headlights are now blended into the front fenders. The grille is V'd and slanted, conforming the the then-new streamlining fashion. All-told, an attractive design in Pierce-Arrow's context.
This V-12 engined car is more traditionally styled.
Pierce-Arrows were redesigned for 1934, this being perhaps the most attractive example. Its one-piece windshield is sort of old-fashioned (though Lincolns and some Chrysler Corporation cars retained them well into the 1930s), but a V'd, two-segment design would have been better. This design was in line with 1934 expectations aside from Chrysler-DeSoto Airflows and the redesigned Cadillacs and LaSalles.
Similar car, next model year. But about to drop behind the times.
A longer four-door sedan with restyled headlight assemblies. It looks out of date and not upscale. The main problem is the passenger compartment greenhouse with its flat windshield and nondescript side windows. Pierce-Arrow died shortly after the next model year.
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