Beschreibung:

1913 PIERCE-ARROW MODEL 48-B FIVE PASSENGER TOURING CAR Chassis No. 10431 Engine No. 10431 Dark blue with a black top and dark blue leather interior Engine: six cylinders, in-line, T-head with dual side valves, 524ci, 48bhp; Gearbox: four speed manual, shaft drive; Suspension: front semi-elliptic leaf springs with rear three quarter-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: two wheel drum on rear wheels with hand brake by rear wheel drum. Right hand drive. The Pierce-Arrow was the finest among the "three P's" - the others being Packard and Peerless - that dominated the American luxury car market in the 20 years from around 1910. There may have been more costly automobiles, others may have made a greater reputation on the race tracks, but the mighty Pierce-Arrow yielded to no other car in terms of mechanical silence, sheer refinement and perfect road manners and was constructed from the very best alloys available for any car in the world. The cars were not without their competition successes, for Pierce concentrated on reliability runs as the most suitable arena for a fine touring car. The demanding Glidden Tour, which traced 1,000 miles from New York out through New England and back, was won for the first time by a Pierce-Arrow in 1905 and the marque went on to record more victories in this demanding event than all other makes combined. Refined, reserved, often the car of first choice for America's great families, the Pierce-Arrow was chosen as a mode of transport by every President of the United States from Taft to F.D. Roosevelt. In many respects the Model 48 marked a pinnacle of the company's achievement; its impeccable workmanship applied to bring a conservative design to near perfection. The big, slow-turning engine, smooth and quiet, was so flexible it made few demands on the gear-shifting skills of the driver. Controls were finger-light and particularly easy to use. The delightful Model 48 went on to become the company's biggest seller. There were minor eccentricities. The company clung to right hand drive long after the rest of America switched the steering wheel to the left hand side. The built-in headlamps fared into the front fenders, introduced in 1913, were not to everyone's taste; Pierce obligingly made conventional lamps an option. This highly impressive Five Passenger Tourer dates from 1913 and comes with conventional headlamps. The touring car body is indicative of the high level of this car's construction. It is a prime example of Pierce-Arrow's own unique cast aluminum ( 1/8" thick) coachwork. Body sections were riveted together by lapped joints, with the joints filed for a perfect fit. At the time American body building practice was to use sheet aluminum or metal over wood framing, but Pierce-Arrow believed the savings in weight and added durability of the cast aluminum process offset the added construction cost. 10431 was acquired out of California in 1989 by the current owner and is known to be a vehicle that lived in Oregon for many years. It is an extremely original and authentic example, which was subject to a no expense spared, frame-off restoration to the highest degree by Eric Roseau of San Diego, CA. With the restoration only just completed the car was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1994 where it won its class. After some further fine detail work was completed, the car was entered into the 1994 Pierce-Arrow National Meet and was awarded a First Place, Best of Show and Best Restoration. This is the only Pierce-Arrow that has ever scored 100 points from all three judges at a National Meet. According to the Pierce-Arrow Society, this is the only 1913 Model 48 Five Passenger Touring car known to exist. This exceptional show car should provide a wonderful driving experience and is highly eligible for most Horseless Carriage events and tours.