After the success of the 1933 Silver Arrow show cars, Pierce-Arrow brought the name to a production version in 1934. Toned down from the original concept, it used a more conventional front end, side-mounted spare wheels and running boards, but adapted the streamlined fastback look. It ushered in the next phase of Pierce-Arrow styling with more rounded lines, a new taillight design, and the radiator cap under the hood. While Pierce-Arrow had clung to six as the ideal number of cylinders for years, eight- or twelve-cylinder engines were now offered. Recently independent from Studebaker’s ownership, the company still fell short of the breakeven point and was bankrupt shortly thereafter. Production would dwindle until the once vaunted company would be dissolved in 1938.

Only five of the eight-cylinder Silver Arrows are known to survive.  This one is the very first eight-cylinder built in 1934. First found in Buffalo, New York, where Pierce-Arrow was headquartered, its professional restoration has received several prestigious awards. The two-tone green with persimmon striping and wheels is the color scheme in the original sales brochure. As this was the first car off the line, it is thought that this car could be the subject of that rendering.

• YEAR & MAKE - 1934 Pierce-Arrow
• MODEL NAME - Silver Arrow
• MODEL/BODY/STYLE NUMBER - 244-Y-1
• BODY TYPE - 2-Door Sedan
• BODY BY - Pierce-Arrow
• # CYLS. - L-Head Inline-8
• TRANSMISSION TYPE & NUMBER - 3-Speed Manual, rear-Wheel Drive
• WEIGHT - 5,046 lbs
• ESTIMATED PRODUCTION - 50
• HP - 140
• C.I.D. - 385
• WHEELBASE - 144″
• PRICE NEW - $3,495