LIFE, February 25, 1926

Pierce-Arrow

In an effort to save the company in 1936 when some of the last cars were being assembled, the once proud Pierce-Arrow Company set a course to enter a new market. The automaker began building an outstanding new product, a luxury travel trailer named the Pierce-Arrow Travelodge.

Despite the new trailers being widely advertised, sales were slow and approximately 450 of the Travelodge trailers were produced. The production run ended early in 1937 when the company went out of business. The final liquidation of the Buffalo, NY firm came later in 1938.

(After Pierce-Arrow failed, Seagrave bought the tooling to manufacture the Pierce V-12 engines for their fire trucks.)

Pierce Arrow 1933. - source Christie M. Castro via CLASSIC CARS IN PICTURES.

1925 Pierce Arrow Series-80 Runabout.

Illustration from Life magazine - 1909.

1931 Cord L29

As much as I enjoyed my time in nature on this Modoc County California camping trip, I think I have to admit to this being my favorite photo of the excursion. While driving back to camp on Blue Lake Road alongside beautiful Jess Valley, I caught up to these folks in this old Pierce Arrow (early 20's touring car, I THINK). They pulled over in a wide spot allowing me to pass. Knowing that there'd most certainly be cattle in and around the road ahead, an idea began to form. Sure enough, I found a few cows, got past them, and waited. I sort of expected to hear the sound of an "ahooga" horn as these folks approached but did not. However, this cow picked just the right moment to decide she wanted to join other members of the herd just out of the frame to camera left and this capture is the result.

Naturally, I felt compelled to process it for a bit of an "antiquey" look to the final image which is likely representative of a scene that happened many times in a bygone era. Frankly, in many ways, Modoc County never completely let go of that era. It's still sparsely populated with lots of hard working decent folks and cowboys on horseback are still a common sight. It's certainly not what many folks in other states think of then they think of California.

No, I live in THIS California.

Hi, I read this somewhere and I would like to know if it's true:

In the blacksmith short, Buster destroys a car, which is said to be a gift from his wife's family. Is that true? Why would he destroy such gift?

Hi there, thank you for the ask! So yes, there was a story:

Reportedly the Rolls had been a wedding gift from the family of Keaton's wife, the Talmadge's. Buster's wife's sisters were also movie stars, Norma Talmadge and Constance Talmadge, and they didn't really get along that well with Buster. (they claim the relationship had become soured as he was filming this) Keaton later said he regretted trashing the Rolls, because audiences didn't respond well to it, they were too shocked to see such a beautiful car destroyed to laugh. (source)

(As far as I know, Constance and Buster got along well, they had similar humor. But Norma did not like Buster.)

SO I had been doing some searching a while back and found some interesting information on a car forum. The car was not a Rolls, as everyone tries to say it is. It was actually a Pierce-Arrow Model 49 Vestibule Suburban.

"Although the car you identify as a 1920 Vestibule Suburban is similar to that model, it does not match exactly. I think the car is a made-up car for the movie. It appears to have an early cowl (round convex vertical corners, not blended into the body) and slightly convex headlight top contour (rather than concave that sweeps up from a tangent point on the fender). Both of these cues point to a 1913-14 front assembly (and probably chassis). The body was probably made by the studio, especially since they knew how to take it apart.

The fourth window on the side of the Vestibule Broughams (shorter rear window) and Suburban's thru 1920 always had their lower rear corner curved - this one is square. The tops of the cars in that era also had a slight graceful curve to them - not flat like this car (flat was easier to make, though). 1921 had square windows, but slanted windshields. I can't explain the lack of cowl lights." (source) (there's more information on the site if you want to read more)

So according to these car enthusiasts on a car forum, it wasn't the actual car that he destroyed, and was probably a car made up for the film. Different car parts put together to make it look like a Pierce-Arrow. This of course, is just information I have found and could be wrong, could be right. Take it for what you will.

(personally, I believe the car forum guys and that Buster didn't really destroy a gift, but that's my opinion.)

I hope this helps, and of course if anyone has other information or corrections, I'll be glad to reblog them.

Pierce Arrow

Gil Spear, Pierce-Arrow, 1910

From Taschen's "All-American Ads 1900-1919".

TIME, March 17, 1930

1935 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Model 845 Coupe

Issued by Brooklin Models in 2005. It is 1:43 scale and crafted in white metal. A rare factory color sample-as of this date, 10/2023, 3 are known to exist. I have two of them. The model is finished in white. I've changed the 2nd one to black wall tires for a different attitude. These both are highly unique models and very special. BRK 100.

Mascotte de Pierce Arrow 1937. - source Cars & Motorbikes Stars of the Golden era.

1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow.Art Deco Era

Derro Collection ($3.8 Million)

Montgomery Twp. Volunteer Fire Co No 2, Blawenburg, NJ