Pierce Arrow's idea was unique. If you saw a car with lights on their fenders at the rime, you would know it's a Pierce Arrow. I actually live near a car museum and one of the cars they had was a beautiful blue and black 1916 Pierce Arrow
So as someone who has an unnatural interest in their vehicles headlamps, early lamp designs were a mix of various technologies; acetylene or kerosene and while lens and reflector technology was able to borrow from rail and ship technology, a stable light and efficient bucket and lens weren't always possible. Pierce Arrow fender lamps would have been higher and wider, providing a much larger illuminated area and, in theory, a more stable mounting point for less "jiggle". The look is iconic and the later streamlined designs convey speed and bespoke luxury.
I was working at a body shop working on the very last arrow that rolled off their assembly line. A 90+ year old guy owned it. Bought is wrecked in the 50s I believe. Then late 2000s started restoring it at the body shop I worked at. I was on fender duty. Some guy was coming after hours for the wood work. Long story short I left the place and that car probably never got done. At least at that shop.
First of all, congrats for your channel. I'm a fan of that era besides being a restorer and owner of cars from that era. I have mostly ford model A's but my dad managed to acquire a 1930 Pierce Limo with these outstanding fender mounted headlights. I doubt that the headlights mounted will cool the engine better, I mean, in the model A's its just a crossbar to support it, the headlights never get in the front of the radiator face. The license plate mounted in these bars, ok, maybe it can be on the way of the air flow, but the headlights? Nah, I doubt it, man. Pure aesthetics, wider appearance, luxury at its best! And i didnt know about Dolly. NIce! Keep Up The Good Work! Reggards from Brasil!
Very good film and in my opinion mostly correct. One thing at is incorrect but is largely accepted myth of the fender mounted headlights being outlawed or banned in New York. The Pierce Arrow society has found no actual proof of this ever happening or an actual law ever in place. The other thing l will say is Pierce Arrow patented and maintained their patent till the end of production. My 1931 Pierce Arrow has the Fender mounted headlights and l wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you for taking the time to make this wonderful film.
Very interesting and my apologies! Thank you for the knowledge! It's funny how these rumors are believed and spread around. I hope you are enjoying your 31.
It is notable that other makes began using the fender mounted lights in 1933, 1934 or shortly after. The Pierce patent expired after 17 years, meaning that their 1913 patent expired in 1931.
Pierce Arrow's idea was unique. If you saw a car with lights on their fenders at the rime, you would know it's a Pierce Arrow. I actually live near a car museum and one of the cars they had was a beautiful blue and black 1916 Pierce Arrow
Very true!
So as someone who has an unnatural interest in their vehicles headlamps, early lamp designs were a mix of various technologies; acetylene or kerosene and while lens and reflector technology was able to borrow from rail and ship technology, a stable light and efficient bucket and lens weren't always possible.
Pierce Arrow fender lamps would have been higher and wider, providing a much larger illuminated area and, in theory, a more stable mounting point for less "jiggle".
The look is iconic and the later streamlined designs convey speed and bespoke luxury.
Great points
I was working at a body shop working on the very last arrow that rolled off their assembly line. A 90+ year old guy owned it. Bought is wrecked in the 50s I believe. Then late 2000s started restoring it at the body shop I worked at. I was on fender duty. Some guy was coming after hours for the wood work. Long story short I left the place and that car probably never got done. At least at that shop.
At least it's around somewhere
First of all, congrats for your channel. I'm a fan of that era besides being a restorer and owner of cars from that era.
I have mostly ford model A's but my dad managed to acquire a 1930 Pierce Limo with these outstanding fender mounted headlights.
I doubt that the headlights mounted will cool the engine better, I mean, in the model A's its just a crossbar to support it, the headlights never get in the front of the radiator face.
The license plate mounted in these bars, ok, maybe it can be on the way of the air flow, but the headlights? Nah, I doubt it, man.
Pure aesthetics, wider appearance, luxury at its best!
And i didnt know about Dolly. NIce!
Keep Up The Good Work!
Reggards from Brasil!
I really appreciate the kind words! Thanks for the info too!
Very good film and in my opinion mostly correct. One thing at is incorrect but is largely accepted myth of the fender mounted headlights being outlawed or banned in New York. The Pierce Arrow society has found no actual proof of this ever happening or an actual law ever in place. The other thing l will say is Pierce Arrow patented and maintained their patent till the end of production. My 1931 Pierce Arrow has the Fender mounted headlights and l wouldn't have it any other way.
Thank you for taking the time to make this wonderful film.
Very interesting and my apologies! Thank you for the knowledge! It's funny how these rumors are believed and spread around. I hope you are enjoying your 31.
It is notable that other makes began using the fender mounted lights in 1933, 1934 or shortly after. The Pierce patent expired after 17 years, meaning that their 1913 patent expired in 1931.
Very interesting!