The streamlined 1933 Silver Arrow — five-passenger sedan with a 175 bhp V12 and the boldest American body of its year.
The 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow was a five-passenger streamlined sedan — flush front fenders into the doors, integrated spare-wheel storage and a smooth fastback profile. Powered by a 7,030cc 175 bhp V12, only five Silver Arrows were built at the Studebaker plant for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, with three known to survive today. A small follow-up production of Silver Arrow coupes (less radical bodywork) was offered in 1934–1935.
Among the most influential American streamlined designs of the 1930s; the original 1933 cars are essentially museum pieces.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Arrow 1933 | 1933 | 5 | Streamlined sedan; three survive. |
| Silver Arrow Coupe 1934–1935 | 1934–1935 | — | Less radical body; mainstream production. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Verified 1933 World's Fair car provenance; 1934–1935 cars trade as standard Pierce-Arrow coupes.
Pierce-Arrow V12 is robust if maintained; standard pre-war American luxury service items. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Verified original 1933 World's Fair Silver Arrow (three survive); the 1934–1935 Silver Arrow coupes are a separate, more accessible category. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Vintage cars require disciplined preventive maintenance: lubrication regimes, magneto service, carburettor synchronisation, brake adjustment, and timber and trim conservation. A car used regularly and serviced annually by a specialist will outlast a stored example neglected for decades.
Pierce-Arrow Society and a small US specialist community. Confirm the availability of marque specialists, period-correct fasteners, coachwork trim, instruments and tyres before committing. A car requiring fabricated one-off parts will absorb time and cost that a similar example with active specialist support will not.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
1933 Silver Arrows are museum-class; 1934–1935 coupes are an accessible Pierce-Arrow V12 entry point.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-16 | RM Sotheby's Monterey | 1933 Silver Arrow | — | $3,855,000 Sold |
1933 cars are essentially permanent assets; 1934–1935 production coupes are stable.
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