It was the brainchild of racecar driver Percival Pierce, son of Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company founder George Pierce. He is the former automotive writer and editor for, Pick of the Day: 1931 Chevrolet Victoria Landeau Phaeton in as-new condition, AutoHunter Spotlight: 2014 Ferrari 458 Spider, ‘Weird & Wonderful’ class at Amelia figures to be, well, weird and wonderful. 1912 Pierce Arrow Motorcycle Downloadable Electronic jpeg Image 3X, Currently On Display at Museum. It is also one of the less than 35-40 Pierce Fours produced in 1909. Less known is the company’s brief foray into motorcycles, producing the first four-cylinder model in the U.S., a bike that was far ahead of the competition. This would be the centerpiece of any motorcycle collection, a remarkable piece of history and a genuinely beautiful example of industrial artwork. Pierce-Arrow History. In 1908, Percy Pierce imported an advanced FN four-cylinder motorcycle from Belgium to use as a model for his machine. PRODUCT DETAILS. It is a very innovative motorcycle for the era, with shaft drive and large-diameter frame tubing that  served to contain both gasoline and motor oil. The forerunner of Pierce-Arrow was established in 1865 as Heinz, Pierce and Munschauer. While in Europe he purchased an FN four cylinder motorcycle and brought it back to the United States for his engineering team to use as inspiration. A remarkable, rare and historic motorcycle, it exists as one of fewer than 500 Pierce Fours produced between 1909-1914, and, as probably the best example in the world, it … In 1910 that transmission was improved to a two speed sliding gear gearbox with a clutch and shaft drive. Sign Up. Percy Pierce was inspired by the overall concept of the FN but he recognized that it was very much a work in progress and that he and his engineers could design a better motorcycle, in fact he was intending to build the best motorcycle in the world just as his father was intending to build the best automobiles in the world. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day, Click here to signup for our daily newsletter, Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. THE PIERCE-ARROW MUSEUM IS LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE GILMORE CAR MUSEUM IN HICKORY CORNERS, MI. A failed attempt to build a steam-powered car was made in 1900 with license from Overman, but by 1901 Pierce built its first single-cylinder two-speed (no reverse) Moterette … This was not a success and so George and his son Percy made a trip to Europe on a fact finding mission and returned to the United States having decided that the deDion engine would be the best engine to use. The FN four cylinder motorcycle of 1905. Jun 28, 2017 - In 1862, the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroad Companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would link the United States from east to west. In 1903 the Pierce Stanhope was also introduced with the engine mounted under the driver’s seat. Neighborhood surroundings, within walking distance, include Historic Olmstead's Delaware Park, Buffalo Historical Museum, State University College at Buffalo & world renowned Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Press alt + / to open this menu. Sections of this page. Subsequent models were made with two-speed transmissions. Gallery: 1911 Pierce Arrow Four 12 Photos By 1909, the Pierce Motorcycle Company had taken the FN’s engine, forks, and shaft drive system and stuck them into a chassis of its own devising. In order to attract sales Pierce created a less expensive single cylinder motorcycle with a 5 hp engine of 592 cc. The Pierce Arrow Four was a sleek looking and beautifully made motorcycle. Facebook. The 275-pound machine has a top speed of … Pierce Arrow. (Picture courtesy Mecum Auctions). More listings are added daily. The Cycle Company headquarters would remain at 22 Hanover Street in Buffalo, New York while automobile manufacturing would move to a new factory five miles north. See more of Vintage Motorcycle Magazine on Facebook. He has studied the Japanese sword arts and has a long history of involvement in the shooting sports, which has included authoring submissions to government on various firearms related issues and assisting in the design and establishment of shooting ranges. The single was capable of a top speed of 55 mph so it was almost as fast as the Four and sold for USD$250.00, so it was much less expensive but quality was kept at the same high level of all Pierce products. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. There are 11 classic Pierce-Arrows for sale today on ClassicCars.com. or. View this post on Instagram "An Art Moderne monument and a symbol of the streamlined age" . This bike is coming up for sale by Mecum Auctions at their Las Vegas auction to be held from January 21-26, 2020. Log In. Enter your email address to subscribe to Revivaler and never miss a new post. (Picture courtesy RM Sotheby’s). You find yourself galloping at “Kentucky Derby” speed with no way of stopping other than to hang on for dear life and speak nicely to the panicked horse until it decides to stop running. This bike used a belt drive and incorporated the fuel tank in the top and seat copper lined frame tubes while the oil reservoir was in the front tube. In 1906 George and Percy Pierce’s business was doing so well that they decided to expand and separate the automobile manufacturing division from the bicycle and soon to be motorcycle division. The Pierce Arrow Four weighed 275 lb and was capable of a top speed of 60 mph and Percy Pierce rode these bikes to success in a number of competitions to establish the “street cred” of his machines. For example they manufacture the current production Winchester Model 70 rifles and these are made to the most exacting quality control standards possible. (Picture courtesy Mecum Auctions). The car business took off with the Pierce Great Arrow of 1904, the value-priced at $4,000. Around the time Percy Pierce made his trek across the Atlantic FN were famous for their inline four cylinder engine shaft drive motorcycles, and this was the design concept that Percy most favored. The inline-4 engine displaces about 700cc, which could propel the 275-pound motorcycle to 60 mph, even though it had just a single gear. This 1909 Pierce Four is a remarkable motorcycle. It is a true gem of the American motorcycle industry. in.) The Pierce engineers made significant improvements, and the Pierce Four was ready for customers in 1909. The frame of the Pierce Arrow motorcycle was made of 3½” steel tubing and as a mark of its quality and attention to design detail the fuel and oil tanks were incorporated into the top frame tube. 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