Recently I wrote a blog about "a 1931 Pierce-Arrow", originally purchased by the maharaja of Indore as a state vehicle. It was based on an article in India's "Business Standard Motoring magazine" by Srinivas Krishnan. I commented on a distinctive headlight positioning: from 1913 the company had flared the lights into the front fenders in an early example of streamlining. Since that first blog I've received some correspondence on the matter, as the "Pierce-Arrow Society" is keen to update its database with information on the ex-maharajah car. (As of this writing I believe Srinivas is attempting to get more details from the current owner.)
Meanwhile Grant, one of our regular viewers, offered this opinion: "Regarding free-standing headlights… unless I gullibly swallowed some urban legend, New York City had regulations against fender-mounted lights. Hundreds of Pierce-Arrows must have had these free-standers (unless the law was just for a few years)". To add fuel to the discussion Grant also sent a link to "a South African site" where, lo-and-behold, there appears this handsome Pierce-Arrow with free-standing headlights. Seeking more background I checked the authoritative Standard Catalog of American Cars and learned that until 1932, free-standing headlights were an option, though it doesn't explain why. Was it really to comply with a NYC by-law? If you know anything about this quandary, feel free to add a comment using the button below.
It was optional so people could buy a good looking Pierce. This is the only Pierce I have seen that looks as good as a Packard.
February 22, 2011 @ 11:56 pm