Following the remarkable success of the streamlined Silver Arrow show car at 1933’s auto shows and the Chicago World’s Fair, Pierce-Arrow introduced a production version for the following year. Available on eight- and twelve-cylinder chassis, the production Silver Arrow used a somewhat tamed version of the show car design, but with the same rakish full fastback roofline and silky-smooth aerodynamic lines. It is arguably the most beautiful Pierce-Arrow of the company’s final years and is inarguably the most desirable to enthusiasts.

An even dozen of the production Silver Arrows remain extant. Unusually, it is the eight, not the twelve, which is the rarer car; five of the former and seven of the latter survive. Almost all of them are held within private collections of Pierce-Arrow connoisseurs across the country, and they very seldom appear for sale.

THE FIRST PRODUCTION SILVER ARROW

The car offered here is chassis number 2580001, the first production Silver Arrow, built in 1934. Built on the first eight-cylinder chassis, it is clearly identified as the first production model by its body number, 244-Y-1, and is powered by one of the first 1934 eight-cylinder engines, which is almost certainly the original unit for this car.

The Pierce’s earliest known owner was the late Peter Petri, a longtime resident of Pierce-Arrow’s hometown of Buffalo, New York; his mother had worked at the factory, and he was a longtime enthusiast of the company’s cars. Mr. Petri began restoring the car but was unable to complete the work. Subsequently, the Silver Arrow was sold to John Lebold of Perrysburg, Ohio, who commissioned the award-winning and well-known restorer, Bob Anzalone of Newport, Michigan, to perform a “no-holds-barred” restoration of the car to its original condition.

In removing paint from the car, areas of the original finish were discovered, which happened to match the colors in the drawing depicted in the Silver Arrow showroom sales brochure: two shades of green with persimmon striping and wheels. It became clear that this first production Silver Arrow had been the basis of the rendition in the sales brochure. Accordingly, the car was restored in those exceptionally exciting colors, chosen decades ago to draw passersby into Pierce-Arrow showrooms—and no less arresting on modern show fields!

Mechanical restoration, including a full engine rebuild, was completed by well-known master mechanic Brian Joseph of Classic & Exotic Service in Troy, Michigan, while the interior was tailored by James Roll of New Philadelphia, Ohio, in Banker’s Green leather with correct bound carpeting, surrounded by fabulous wood-grained dashboard trim and bright, clear gauges. The finest details were attended to in order to make the Silver Arrow a showstopper.

The restored Silver Arrow won some of the hobby’s most significant honors, including Best in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, Best of Show at the Glenmoor Gathering, two 1st in Class honors at Pierce-Arrow Society National Meets, and two 100-point scores in CCCA judging (leading to Senior Premier status). It was photographed by Dennis Adler and appeared in both Car Collector magazine and his book, Speed & Luxury: The Great Cars.

Following several years of show success and proud ownership, Mr. Lebold passed his Pierce-Arrow on; it subsequently resided in Ethel Lanaux’s collection in New Orleans, and in the renowned Ralph Marano stable in New Jersey, before its acquisition by the current owner. In his ownership it has been meticulously looked after while also enjoying careful and considerate use, clocking over 3,000 tour and CARavan miles all over North America while being sympathetically maintained and improved for regular driving enjoyment. Much attention has been paid to mechanical service and preparation on the Silver Arrow, and the Pierce-Arrow is described by the consignor as being fully sorted and tour-ready.

It can safely be said that the historic first production Silver Arrow is today both an incredible beauty, with its well-preserved Anzalone restoration, and a fit tourer ready for continued show stopping with a proud new owner. For the dedicated Pierce-Arrow enthusiast, its offering today is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.