By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection
Published 11/20.2024
An example of an Pierce-Arrow advertising illustration (Robert Tate Collection)
The Pierce-Arrow automobile brand has an interesting history that many historians still talk about today. The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company was located in Buffalo, New York and operated from 1901 to 1938. It was well-known for producing expensive luxury automobiles, as well as boats, motorcycles and bicycles in a factory designed by Detroit industrial architect Albert Kahn.
Another example of Pierce-Arrow advertising with the illustration and key stats and pricing (Robert Tate Collection)
The company was formed by George N. Pierce, who was previously involved with manufacturing household items before his interest in automobiles. His first automobile was called the Arrow, which offered an engine mounted in the front of the car. For many years, owning a Pierce-Arrow became a status symbol, as the vehicles were owned by the super-rich or Hollywood stars of the era.
A Pierce-Arrow ad emphasizing the brand's luxury (Robert Tate Collection)
In 1928, the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana purchased Pierce-Arrow to move into the luxury market. With the cash infusion, Pierce-Arrow introduced a new eight-cylinder engine in the 1930s which became very popular.
An ad for the Pierce-Arrow Dual-Valve Six (Robert Tate Collection)
For 1931, Pierce-Arrow introduced the following series: 43, 42, and 41. The higher the number designations meant the lowest priced car in brand’s lineup. Despite the economic hardships that came with the beginning of the Great Depression, the automobile had become the great symbol for travel and a necessity for many Americans.
Pierce-Arrow advertising illustrations were created with a great artistic appeal, and sometimes were very understated. For example, the illustrations often placed the automobile in the background rather than the foreground.
In addition, Pierce-Arrow advertising featured very stylish illustrations with fashionable automotive artwork that Americans admired. Some of the talented artists who illustrated the Pierce-Arrow print advertising campaigns included Louis Fancher, Ludwig Hohlwein, Myron Perley, John Sherdan, Edward Willson, and many others. The advertising would often feature the automobile in places not normally entered, and the messaging in the ads emphasized luxury, power and price. For example, one ad featured in this story says, “And now, again Pierce Arrow steps out with a new eight at $2,195.” For years, historians have said that the most attention-grabbing automobile advertising lists the price of the vehicle, along with engine performance and gas mileage.
During the 1930s, all of the automakers were affected by the Great Depression. Studebaker had to declare bankruptcy and sold Pierce-Arrow to a group of Buffalo investors in 1933. Despite the change in ownership, Pierce-Arrow only continued to sell automobiles through 1938. In fact, the Pierce-Arrow manufacturing and sales in 1938 totaled less than 100 vehicles.
A 1936 Pierce-Arrow ad (Robert Tate Collection)
In conclusion, Pierce-Arrow’s advertising featured great works of art illustrated by talented artists, which will always be a part of our automotive history.
Moloney, James H. “Encyclopedia of American Cars 1930 to 1942.” Crestline Publishing, 1977.
Stern, Jan & Michael. “Auto Ads.” Random House, New York, 1978.
Foster, Pat. “Renowned for Craftsmanship, Pierce-Arrow Couldn’t Survive the Great Depression.” Hemmings.com, July 3, 2024.
By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Studebaker Archives and the Robert Tate Collection
Published 11/13/2024
By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives & Special Collections, Mecum Automotive Auctions
Published 11.6.2024
Read more: Remembering the Chevrolet Designs of GM's Clare MacKichan
by Bob Sadler, MotorCities Director of Communications & Engagement
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives, Business Week, Detroit Free Press, Motor Trend and Time Magazine
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Stellants North American Archives
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Images Courtesy of Brooks Stevens Archives and the Robert Tate Collection
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives & Special Collections, Corvette News, Robert Tate Collection
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Stellantis North American Archives, The Robert Tate Collection
Published 10.2.2024
by A. Wayne Ferens
Images from the Ferens Collection
Published 9.25.2024
By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives & Special Collections
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by Bob Sadler, MotorCities Director of Communications & Engagement
Images Courtesy of the Walter Reuther Library
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Read more: The United Auto Workers Was Founded 89 Years Ago This Week
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Images Courtesy of Stellantis North American Archives, Old Car Weekly, BBspot.com
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Read more: Remembering the Popular 1960s Dodge Little Red Wagon Truck
By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of The Henry Ford Media Center Archives
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives & Special Collections
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Images Courtesy of Steve McQueen’s Estate, Warner Brothers
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by A. Wayne Ferens
Images Courtesy of Shelby American and Hertz
Published 7.24.2024
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Cheryl Kelley
Published 7.17.2024
Read more: Cheryl Kelley Creates Great Automotive Works of Art
By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Stellantis North America Archives, Muscle Car Plus and the St. Louis Car Museum
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection
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Read more: An Inside Look at the 1963 Chevy Corvette Color & Trim Book
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Images from the Ferens Collection
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Read more: A Look Inside the 1967 Ford Le Mans-Winning GT Mark IV
By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Ebony Magazine, Road & Track Magazine, Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Stellantis North America Archives, Vlad Radu Auto Evolution, Steven Juliano
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By Brian Yopp, MotorCities Deputy Director
Images Courtesy of Jack Teetor and the Automotive Hall of Fame
Published 6.7.2024
Read more: EXTRA: "Blind Logic: The Ralph R. Teetor Story" Film Debuts
By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the GM Heritage Archives
Published 6.5.2024
1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III design sketches (GM Heritage Archives)
One of the most stylish concept Corvette models that came out of the General Motors Technical Center was the 1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept. This concept was created under the direction of Charles M. “Chuck” Jordan (1927-2010), who was a part of the GM design team for many years.
Charles M. Jordan, VP of GM Design staff 1986-1992 (GM Heritage Archives)
Throughout GM history, Jordan contributed many great designs to the company’s various brands that were very successful. The 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept was introduced in a black cherry color scheme that many fans really liked. I remember seeing the model when it first debuted and was very impressed with its futuristic styling. It offered a great looking front-end with angled headlight styling features.
Another 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III sketch (GM Heritage Archives)
Some automotive historians have said that the 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept was reminiscent of the popular 1960s Corvette models. Jordan was very pleased that the Sting Ray III concept generated a lot of buzz and recognition when it was introduced at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show.
A black and white aerial shot of the 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept (GM Heritage Archives)
The Sting Ray III was designed by a GM stylist from its advanced concept center located in Southern California. Automotive historians have said that this concept was considered for production, however, its $300,000 price tag made that idea a responsible no.
The 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III design concept (GM Heritage Archives)
The concept was built using carbon fiber, which provided strength and flexibility. An adjustable steering wheel was added along with a great-looking sloping windshield design. John Schinella, who was in charge of the California-based studio, said, “After the structure and drivetrain placements were determined, sketches were made, presented, debated and finalized. The completed shape had to look new.”
1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept (GM Heritage Archives)
The Sting Ray III used advanced technology, including optical sensors. The model also featured all-wheel steering and cast-aluminum wheels. In addition, the concept featured an analog and digital instrument gage panel, and the interior design provided a fighter jet feel when driving.
A rear view of the 1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept (GM Heritage Archives)
Michael Lamm & Dave Holls, the authors of “A Century of Automotive Style: 100 years of American Car Design,” said, “GM’s California Concept Center, under John Schinella, developed the 1992 Sting Ray III as one possible answer to the Dodge Viper. John Mack did most of the exterior design, while Jon Albert designed the interior. The running metallic purple prototype carried a 300-hp Corvette V8.”
1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept interior (GM Heritage Archives)
In conclusion, GM Design staff were shaping the future when they introduced the Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept to the public in 1992. It also received several awards for best design concept. Finaly, this model will always have a place in our automotive history as a great-looking show car that Corvette fans and historians will enjoy and remember for years to come.
Car Styling News. “1992 Sting Ray III Concept.”
Teeters, Scott K. “1992 Sting Ray III Concept, AKA: The California Corvette.” Motor Trend Magazine, February 17, 2016.
Rosenberg, Diego. “1992 Corvette Sting Ray III Concept, Melding the Past and the Future.” October 10, 2014.
Lamm, Michael & Holls, Dave. “A Century of Automotive Style 100 Years of American Car Design.” Lamm-Morada Publishing, 1996-97.
by Bob Sadler, MotorCities Director of Communications
Images Courtesy of the Automotive Hall of Fame
Published 5.29.2024
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Images Courtesy of The Henry Ford Media Center Archives
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Packard Illustrations from the Robert Tate Collection
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Images courtesy of Stellantis North America Archives, GM Media Archives, and Ford Motor Company Archives
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Images Courtesy of the Petersen Museum, AllCarIndex, and Custom Rodder magazine
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Images by Bob Sadler, MotorCities
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Images Courtesy of the GM Media Archives
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection and The Henry Ford
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Images Courtesy of the Sloan Museum of Discovery
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Images Courtesy of the Ford Piquette Plant Museum
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Images courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection
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Images Courtesy of Della Woods, Replicas West/Tom West, Drag Racing Hall of Fame
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Images courtesy of GM Media Archives
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Today, we continue our observance of Black History Month with a look at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn's Achievement exhibit, which opened one year ago.
by MotorCities Staff
Image Courtesy of MotorCities National Heritage Area
Published 2.28.2024
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By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives and the Detroit Free Press
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Images courtesy of the GM Media Archives
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Images Courtesy of Chrysler Archives, Robert Tate Collection, ClassicCars.com
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by A. Wayne Ferens
Images from the Ferens Collection
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Images Courtesy of Hot Rod Archives, Motor Trend Archives, Wallpaper.com and Chrysler Archives
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Images Courtesy of Paula Murphy Archives
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Images Courtesy of the Malcolm Bricklin Archives. A special thanks to Historian Ron Konopka for this story.
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by A. Wayne Ferens
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives and the Ferens Collection
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