1904 Pierce Model 8M Motorette

3.9 x 4.3-Inch Bore Single Cylinder Engine
Approximately 8bhp
2-Speed Planetary Transmission
Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Formerly part of prominent James Melton, Atwater Kent Jr. and Pennsylvania State Museum collections
*Dated by VCC, and a many-time proven participant in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
*Highly original example with charming patina throughout

PIERCE-ARROW

Pierce-Arrow had started out in 1865 as Heinz, Pierce and Munschauer, and was best known for its household items. In 1872, George N. Pierce bought a controlling interest, reorganizing the firm as the George N Pierce Company. Following the latter's failure, a license to build the French de Dion engine was obtained and the first proper motor car was completed in November 1900. Early in 1901 the English-born designer David Fergusson was recruited as Chief Engineer - a post he would occupy for the succeeding two decades - and it was he that was responsible for Pierce's first production model – the single-cylinder Motorette. Two-cylinder Arrow and four-cylinder Great Arrow models followed in 1904. At around this time it was decided to concentrate on making larger, more luxurious automobiles for the market's upper echelons, and Pierce's new policy got off to a flying start in 1905 when Percy Pierce (George's son) won the first of the famous Glidden Tours driving a Great Arrow. Pierce cars claimed victory in the next four events, an unprecedented achievement.

In 1907 the first six-cylinder model was introduced and in 1909 the marque and company names changed to Pierce-Arrow. That same year US President William Howard Taft ordered two Pierce-Arrows to be used for state occasions, thus honoring the company with the distinction of supplying the White House's first official automobiles. The rest is history, the name will forever be renowned for cars of the highest quality of engineering, as well as its cast aluminum coachwork and of course the design feature of headlights incorporated into the front wings.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Dated by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain, this Pierce heralds from the 1904 season, by which time Pierce were building their own 8hp powerplant (a clone of the De Dion unit they had employed previously) and the Motorette was an altogether sturdier motorcar. This enabled them to fit the cars with the popular 'transformable' Stanhope style of body, a design which graced a number of its contemporaries and allowed the option of two additional seating places forward of the driver.

Providing evidence to the fact that pioneer Pierces have always been held in high esteem, you need to look no further than this particular car and the roll call of high-profile collectors that have owned it in its home country of America. James Melton was arguably the first public figure in America to collect historic cars and his collection was displayed in Connecticut and at the Autorama in Hypoluxo, Florida. When the majority of Melton's Collection was sold at auction, the car was purchased by Atwater Kent Jr., who in turn donated it to the Pennsylvania State Museum. In 1996, a number of cars from this institution were sold at auction at which point renowned veteran car collector Mr. C. H. Brown of Sussex, U.K. was able to secure the Pierce.

After many years lying dormant, Mr. Brown had the Pierce brought to the U.K., and a recommissioning enabled him to campaign it on the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, something that he did regularly with a number of successful arrivals. According to the history file, there appears to be some discrepancy as to whether this Motorette was a 1903 or 1904 model; however, it is titled and officially dated by the Veteran Car Club of Britain as a 1904 model and includes its Certificate of Date (Number 2264), issued in 1999. Since receiving its certification, it successfully completed the London-Brighton run an impressive seven times, between 2003-2005 and 2007-2010.

More recently, this charming Pierce Motorette has been maintained by an active U.S.-based car collector and enthusiast. It presents with an attractive patina and the appealing character of a well-loved event car. The wood body is in good overall condition, finished in dark green with cream stripes and black metal mudguards. Accessories include dual Gray & Davis carriage lamps, and a matching Gray & Davis tail lamp. Original cast step plates are intact, and the seat upholstery remains in very good condition, with a consistent patina on both the driver's seat and dicky seat. It is appropriately presented for a car that gets driven and enjoyed, while it benefits from regular maintenance at the hands of its current owner. Records show the engine was thoroughly serviced, and this Pierce is one of just 600 Motorettes produced from 1901-1905 and one of approximately 35 known survivors.

With official certification by the VCC, it is eligible for numerous veteran car events worldwide and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser wherever it takes its next keeper. As viewed today, this is a highly original and correct car, being in largely complete and uncompromised order. With its illustrious name and provenance, this is a highly covetable early American automobile.