Reply To: 1934 Studebaker-based Pierce-Arrows Part 2

[Paul J. West]

Excitement would indeed arrive in the form of the 836/1236 Silver Arrow. Based on Studebaker’s mid-year Land Cruiser, which came in 119 wb Commander and 123 wb President form (the latter of which again used 4 inch longer front doors), the South Bend cars are often mentioned in same breath as Pierce’s show car. The Buffalo version would have greatly improved the design by virtue of its longer hood. My work-up starts with the President’s body and adds 3 inches to the rear doors to balance the greenhouse proportions, open up the claustrophobic rear and perhaps allow for reclining rear seats. Pricing would have been around $2,650.

The car would have been a critical addition to Pierce’s line-up, assuming the mantle of flagship and representing a genuine style leader with appeal to the “Moderns” as was recently chronicled in The Arrow, and becoming the de facto new Club Sedan.