Pierce-Arrow Bodies

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Tony Costa –

Your mention of Rubay’s work raises a question about the involvement of his right-hand man, Paul LaCroix. Would LaCroix have also helped with designs in addition to production?

I hope you can also help with an update of the White Registry, post Bob Scoon.

Brooks

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Who made the 1928 Model S81 bodies? Thanks.

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My research has yet to uncover enough evidence to make Pierce bodybuilder identification certain before the Studebaker takeover, but points continue to surface suggesting Pierce was not building every body. The only outside Series 81 catalog model bodybuilder I have seen named is Philips making the convertible coupe.

I think it is important to see French coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik’s involvement in the Series 81 enclosed bodies confirmed in the almost-retro style trimming added to what appears to be the then-new LaSalle fine-line style. If its body builder was Murray, as last year’s discussion about Wilson and the Series 80 cars urges asking, the finished product is a very real modification of the basic design. And, whether that trimming was done at a bodybuilder’s or at the Pierce factory becomes significant.

Vehicle Monthly, one of the coachbuilder magazines, attended car shows with measuring tapes and calipers, sometimes going over the bodies to reveal commonality in dimensions. Doing that may provide the answer to whether Pierce was a Murray customer in 1928, but do you really want to pull back the curtain that far?

Brooks

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