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There was a circa 1916 Pierce 66 runabout that participated in the 1954 Anglo American Vintage Car Rally overseas. A fun video is attached showing the cars in action.
The Pierce was owned by Henry Austin Clark at the time.
Just curious, where is that car located now?
http://https://www.britishpathe.com/video/anglo-american-vintage-car-rally
Here is a corrected link.
Happens to me all the time when I forget to remove the extra http:// 
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/anglo-american-vintage-car-rally
Thanks Craig, I keep forgetting too. Anyone know where that particular car is now? thanks David C.
The car now belongs to John Mozart. The body color is now green vice the red when Henry Austin Clark owned it.
So, how come the J Duesenberg, the Duesenberg-powered Biddle, the ’20’s
Mercer, the Simplex chain-drive, the 66HP Pierce, the several Bentleys, the
Kissel Gold Bug, let a 1910 Rolls win with a 1913 Lanchester coming in second
place?
David,
Thanks so much for posting the link to the video. I wish we had a rally like that to attend! A hill climb, endurance test, track driving, and open road touring!!!!
What a great time that must have been.
Really, thanks for posting that.
Blaine
I’ve read numerous accounts of the rally from different sources. Most of the accounts are written by someone of the British persuasion.
It’s interesting to see how, even then, news was slanted or biased. Nothing much bad said about the British cars, but the American cars skidded and jerked their way along the course!
Hard to think anything would beat the 66 in a hill climb.
The banner that was on the 66 at this rally was recently online for sale, and I bought it. It’s very high quality work, and interestingly made in Springfield Mass.
It’s identical to the banner shown in the video at 1:17 into the show, on the Lozier, but of course the one I have says 1916 Pierce.
Here’s a period write up of the event.
http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-1954/31/anglo-american
David, what a great piece of PMAC history you picked up.
Will it be loaned to the PAS Museum on occasion for all to enjoy?
I already have a few pieces of memorabilia loaned to the museum, and there are numerous pieces of interesting literature that have been copied, placed on foamboard, and should be on display now in museum. These are not ads or common items, but rather business cards, business that advertised using Pierce vehicle, and the sort.
I’m writing an article about the 1954 rally and Austy (or Austie, depending who you ask) Clark’s part in it, will appear in the Arrow at some point….
I believe that it was Austie according to several of his friends, and what I remember as a very young person. Ed
I’ve been researching for the article, and Ed I believe you’re correct. Most writings refer to “Austie”, and only one I’ve found so far states “Austy”. The attached photo of one of his dusters seems to confirm that fact.
That “Austy” reference is in a British publication, so we’ll forgive them their mistake, and stick with Austie.
I know the old timers are familiar with him, but Henry Austin Clark Jr. led an interesting life. Born into the aristocracy of Long Island, his family at one point controlled much of the sugar produced in Cuba (up until the 1960’s). Austie was in the Navy during WWII, and is quoted as saying that when he left the Navy that was “the last paycheck I ever received.”
He attended Harvard, buying his first Classic car while there, and eventually his collection would reach over 200 cars. Many, many early cars passed through his hands, including my 1931 Pierce phaeton in the 1950’s. As someone mentioned to me, he had access to all the best garages and carriage houses!
On HAC Jr., here’s an obit…
Not really Pierce Arrow related but still the 1954 Rally: The 1921 Mercer Raceabout in the rally was a New Mexico car.The car was owned by Roswell Moore.He lived in Albuquerque and was in the restaurant business.When I was a child,my dad gave me a clipping from the newspaper with a photo of Mr.Moore and his Mercer with a short note about his being in the event.I believe the Mercer was sold in the mid 1960’s and is now back east.The Mercer was on our local tours and shows and I remember it well.
David,
Here is a Hemmings piece on HAC.
Peter
Blaine,
I second your desire to have a reproduction of such an event (in the US) or otherwise.
How can that be made to happen?
Tom,
A number of similar events occur yearly both in the US and Europe.
All you need to have to participate is a qualifying car (correct vintage, etc.), lots of time and a boatload of clams, duckets, lolly or moolah!
Our Annual PAS Meet attempts to offer a similar experience, but at a more affordable price and a home base hotel from which we begin each tour.
Peter
Peter and all others
That is great to hear.
As you can tell I am new to the membership and need all the help I can get. I don’t even have a Pierce Arrow. I would really like a pre 1920 touring car or even “other qualifying car””. I have more time than lolly or moolah and I have seen more summers than I expect to see in the future. I hope my passion for the hobby will count for something. A northwest regional tour and the West coast gathering are on my calendar.
I hope to meet lots of you there.
bye for now.
Tom
“
Tom, great to hear we will see you at the Summer meet-they are a great source of inspiration for those interested in purchasing a car or just chatting about and riding in our fine mark.
All the best to you! John