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I was searching the CCCA site and noticed there are no Pierces that qualify after 1925. I felt sure later cars were on the list. Did something change or did I misremember. Surely the 12’s would be on the list. Power Brakes, first hydraulic lifters, etc.
Here is their definition and list.
CCCA Approved Classics
Updated 5.11.2018
The Classic Car Club of America defines a Classic as a “Fine†or “Distinctive†automobile, American or foreign built, produced between 1915 and 1948. Generally, a Classic was high-priced when new and was built in limited quantities. Other factors, including engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as power brakes, power clutch, and “one-shot†or automatic lubrication systems, help determine whether a car is considered to be a Classic.
Pierce-Arrow
1915-1924; All
1921 Series 32;
1922 and up Series 33;
1925 All
Bill
Hi Bill, I checked it myself and what you show is what’s on the CCCA webpage…looks like typo’s.
Notice 1915-24 ALL, yet they go on to specify models in that grouping.
To my recollection, under the old 1925-48 list, Pierce Arrow was indicated as 1925 and up; ALL
Someone at CCCA needs to revisit and edit!
thanks for pointing it out.
Gents,
Repetitiously Redundant!
CCCA has the Chrysler Town & Country, a continuation of the Chrysler Windsor (a low cost introductory level auto), as a Full Classic.
That had to do with a number of the CCCA National Board Members owning these wood-bodied cars.
It is NOT a FINE automobile.
After the the CCCA passed the rule, and the prices of the T&C skyrocketed, most of the voting Board Members owning the Town & Country cars resigned from the Board.
The CCCA is populated with snobs, and I know because I was on the Board of Directors of the New England Region.
During my tenure, they would not tolerate Pierce-Arrow cars and when I asked one Super Snoot; “George, don’t you own a Pierce-Arrow,” he replied; “I would NEVER own a Pierce-Arrow.”
Shortly thereafter, I resigned from the Board.
Some nice Buick people, but mostly Packard Snobs.
ACCA is a better, more inviting and inclusive Car Club.
Of course, the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Club is a SOCIETY and what more can you say?
Are we snobs? That is an open question, but I don’t look down on other vintage marques.
It is only the bastards (hot rodded vintage cars) that I disdain.
Peter
Unless there has been a recent ‘unreported’ action by the CCCA, ALL 1915 through 1938 Pierce-Arrows are classified as CCCA “Full Classics”. If you look in the 2018 Roster, the same error is repeated.
BUT…if you look at the listing of members Classics or at individual listings everything through 1938 is a Full Classic.
Somebody messed up!
I spoke with CCCA Classification VP Chris Bock. He responded quite appropriately with “How did they do that?!” and thanked me for letting him know.
All 1915 through 1938 are still Full Classics.
The website will be corrected soon, but the roster won’t be fixed until 2019.
Dave Stevens
Great news Dave, as we all expected.
Thanks!
Now I know how Rodney Dangerfield felt.
I’m with Peter. Rectal cranial inversion gone amuck.
Gents,
The problem with the word “Classic” is that everyone uses it and there is a continual (continuous?) discussion in the AACA publications and elsewhere about the USE of the term.
Lots of folks apply classic to anything that is more than 25-years old.
I have a 1987 BMW, 325i, Cabriolet (47K-miles) and have had people tell me it is “Classic.”
It is not, but it is fun to own and to drive and it does qualify for showing at any AACA Meet.
I don’t think that my 1925, Pierce-Arrow, Series 80, 7-Passenger DeLuxe Sedan is “Classic.”
I just think that it is a Pierce-Arrow, and that is more than good enough for me.
I’ll believe that the “Classics” are actually the study of Greco-Roman culture, philosophy and languages.
Ave atque vale, 
Peter
Peter, I thought your BIMMER was a 5 series and you drove it all the way to Kalamazoo in 2012.
You must have picked up another one–nice, low mile choice indeed!
Sound choices Peter, thanks for sharing!
I think you’re going to find snobbery in any club. I see it in brass Model T’s all the time. I own a 1932 Packard and although I like the car and am proud to own it, I don’t consider myself a snob. I drive it to the grocery store with regularity and everyone loves to see it. I continue to look for an open Pierce.
I was a CCCA member many years ago but when they sent out a survey asking what your net worth was, I dropped my membership. I felt that was far too invasive and just an attempt at creating a who’s who among snobs. I have not rejoined even though a friend who is a wheel in the club assures me they are now friendly and inclusive.
I was told that many years ago the Lincoln Owners Club nearly went out of existence when they became so insular they did not welcome new members.
I was told that at one time even Stanleys were such a nepotistic group of people it was very hard to find a good car to get “in”.
The Franklin Club is alleged to be inclusive, family oriented and welcoming but I’ve had people tell me they received the cold shoulder at the national meet when they confessed that they did not own a Franklin, only a Model A.
So it happens and all it takes is one or two people to create a bad name for a whole organization. I’ve not encountered that in the Pierce Society yet and hope I never will, but I’m sure there are a few who think they sit at God’s left hand because they own a Pierce. It happens.
Scott,
Superb commentary!
Peter
I can only add my experiences, so here goes.
Back in the early 70’s my grandfather heard of a brass era car meet happening in the area.
My grandfather, my father and I jumped in the Pierce to go have a look.
Of course we didn’t park inside the blocked off area with the brass cars but a few owners did come over and look at the Pierce.
Not a single one said a word to any of us.
They just looked at the car then walked away.
That really soured my grandfather on joining an antique car club and he never even thought about joining the PAS even though he purcahsed the car in the early 60’s.
I joined the PAS once my grandfather passed and my father took possession of the car hoping to learn more about the car and to broaden my resources.
I am very, very pleased to have found such a great Society of members that are never hesitant to offer advice or even their last spare part to help a fellow member get going.
As for the Franklin Club, one of my uncles is a very active member (having owned various Franklins since the early 60’s) and he says there are a few members that are not so nice but for the most part they seem to be a very welcoming and helpful group.
I’ve met a few and can confirm his assessment.
When it comes to the Rickenbacker Car Club there are so few of us that we have to depend on each other. 
Milton Schilde and his son are the only other members of the club I have met in person although I have corresponded with other members.
I love the PAS and wish all enthusiast’s clubs were like this.
No doubt there are jerks in all car clubs. But, in this day of aging
members, decreasing memberships in most clubs, vanishing craftsmen and
fair priced restorers and parts suppliers, and faced with the ever increasing onslaught of freeways, housing tracts and legislative vehicle control (not to mention ethanol) we might be best advised to be supportive of each other.
To some it seems snobby to only like Pierce Arrows, or Packards, or whatever. On the other hand some people dislike clubs that accept relatively
modern cars as antiques (AACA).
Some of us hate tours with cheap hotels, while others hate tours with expensive places to stay.
At the end of the day we all love cars. While we can still enjoy the pleasure of driving and showing our old cars we should realize that the
less critical we are, the less others will see faults in us.
>> At the end of the day we all love cars. While we can still enjoy the pleasure of driving and showing our old cars we should realize that the
less critical we are, the less others will see faults in us.
Amen to that.
Especially with pre-War cars it’s so necessary that we recognize, accept, tolerate and support each other in the face of declining interest in this era. Around here there are no “antique” car shows anymore. Seriously. . . Any old car gathering has, I’d say, cars I’d find in the parking lot at Walmart. Guys who like that modern stuff can have all the fun they want and I’m happy for them, but you must admit that keeping 80, 90, 100 year and older cars on the road requires a bit more effort than a ’68 Camero or ’92 Honda CRV .
I posted a “gripe” on the AACA website that at a local Hemmings Cruise-In, I showed up with my 1932 Packard 902 Victoria Coupe and had to turn around and go home because all the available spaces were taken up with “modern” cars. There were even a few cars from the 21st Century, but if the owner called it a “collector car”, it was allowed in. And I had to go home.
I was miffed, but I can’t begrudge anyone from enjoying cars as a hobby. But what this experience taught me is that the big tent approach that AACA and Hemmings might use doesn’t really work when those of us with antiques are not welcome. (Of course I was welcome, but you know. . . . It still was disappointing to have to leave and go home after driving the distance to get there. . . )
That’s why I like the single marque clubs like Franklin and Pierce Arrow. No Pierces made after 1938. No Franklins after 1934. Even HCCA gets my nod of approval.
I agree about us prewar enthusiasts needing to stick together and encourage the next generation to appreciate these vehicles.
My family had prewar cars since before they had me, so I had no choice but to be around them and I quickly learned to appreciate them for the rolling pieces of history that they are.
And I can second the notion that finding a place to show our cars is getting harder and harder.
These days everything is filled with 50’s, muscle cars and hot rods.
I’m guilty of owning a 60’s muscle car but when I want to attend a show with one of my older cars I would love to see at least one other antique car there.
I love parking next to a Ford Model A so people can see the striking difference in size and luxury Pierce Arrow owners enjoyed back then.
Bringing up the next generation is what will ensure our cars survive.
I am well aware that I am just my generation’s caretaker of a little slice of history and I would love to pass it along to someone that loves automotive history as much as I do.