Reply To: What would the never produced 1934 Studebaker-based P-A’s have looked like?

[Paul J. West]

Good suggestion, Brooks.

Next up is 131 wb car based on company’s mindset that went into 1934 836A. In recent article about P-A’s final years (The Arrow, Series 16 Model 1) there is discussion about the new leadership soliciting input from several sources including outside design firms. I believe the input supported the 836A specifically, the rest of the line’s design likely frozen and ready for tooling by August, 1933. The new ideas appear to have included one or more of the following:

– less costly grill, more steeply raked and of modern appearance

– clean hood with no vents (added later… was cooling an issue?)

– 4 window greenhouse with rear doors pulled back over rear fenders and curved

– rear quarters and decklid fully integrated with and a natural extension of the body, and with increased rear overhang. Had been common on 2-door sedans and 2/4 coupes but generally not on 4 door styles. In retrospect this was excellent input because it represented the future for the 4 door sedan and a tremendous opportunity for Pierce-Arrow, of more later.

Car uses Studebaker’s roof, which would have been the name of the game going forward. Pierce would have needed to tool very selectively to gain maximum benefit for minimum cost.