The renowned old Buffalo, New York luxury automaker Pierce-Arrow merged with Studebaker in 1928, the latter putting its considerable fortunes fully behind the development of Pierce’s first eight-cylinder engine, a replacement for its long-lived six. Debuted in 1929, the new eight was a breakthrough, weighing some 100 pounds less than the big T-head six that it replaced and offering 25 percent more power from a 12 percent smaller displacement. It was even less expensive, with prices beginning at $2,775, offering Pierce-Arrow quality to a broader market in no fewer than 12 body styles.

The Seven-Passenger Touring offered here is one of, appropriately enough, seven known survivors of this elegant style—with its broad and distinctive swept beltline molding—on the long Model 143 chassis. Pierce-Arrow Society records note it to have previously spent some years in Ohio, first in the ownership of Leo L. Davis beginning in the 1970s and subsequently with Alphon E. “Gene” Pegg of Baltimore through the late nineties. While owned by Mr. Davis it was restored by Bill Seeburg of Sidney, Ohio, and won an Antique Automobile Club of America National First Prize in 1990, commemorated by a badge on the coachwork.

While the car’s restoration is older, it is still very satisfying in appearance, the bodywork finished in a striking combination of deep turquoise and black with matching upholstery and canvas top. At least some of the body’s original structural woodwork appears to be present, along with the original body number tag affixed to the sill. Accessories include Trippe Safety Lights, a driver’s side spotlight, a luggage rack, and an elaborate rear compartment windshield, which can be used solely by rear passengers or folded out to form wind wings for the front and rear doors—a very clever feature. Also included is a set of side curtains.

This would be a fine automobile to enjoy with pride at regional shows or especially in PAS events and tours all over the country. It is, after all, a touring with a vast interior and open top permitting excellent surrounding views of the scenery and wonderful, smooth power from the big Pierce eight under the hood.