Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Coupe Walkaround

For most of the 1901-1938 period that Pierce-Arrow built luxury automobiles, design was secondary to quality engineering, materials, and assembly.  That is, Pierce-Arrows were seldom sporty and often appeared old-fashioned compared to cars from competitors such as Packard.

But there were exceptions.  Beginning in the 1929 model year, Pierce-Arrow cars became decent-looking and in line with current style expectations.  And then there appeared the sensationally futuristic Silver Arrow, only five of which were made.

The following year Pierce-Arrow launched another Silver Arrow, basically a coupe with a fastback aft body that echoed the original Silver Arrow's aft.  It shared body components with a Studebaker model that I wrote about here.

Featured below are walkaround images of a 1934 Pierce-Arrow 1240A Silver Arrow Coupe -- Bring a Trailer auction photos.

Gallery

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow - Blackhawk Museum photo
This view shows the aspect of the Silver Arrow that was echoed in the later Silver Arrow Coupes.

Now for the walkaround.  The face is stock '34 pierce-Arrow.

The 1930s streamlining fashion was getting underway, so traditional Pierce-Arrow headlight assembly stalks are finally abandoned, the assemblies being blended into the fenders.  The grille is now V'd and slanted back.

The after body is not a pure fastback, but near enough that it little matters.

Note the two-tone paint scheme with red divider accents.

Compare the shaping to that seen in the '33 Silver Arrow in the top image.

The hood houses a V-12 motor.

1935 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Coupe
Compare this model to the four-door Studebaker below.

1935 Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser - image via Hemmings
Studebaker divested Pierce-Arrow in 1933, but some cooperation between the firms continued, as can be seen in the shared body components evident in these two photos.  The Studebaker is a four-door sedan, so doors and side windows differ from the P-A coupe.