1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48-B-4 Touring
Herbert Dawley’s patented fender-mounted headlights made this Buffalo-built automobile instantly recognizable, distinguishing it from contemporaries in the prestigious “Three P’s” triumvirate (Packard, Peerless, and Pierce-Arrow).
The Model 48-B-4 represented one of America’s most refined offerings during the final years of the Brass Era, with seven-passenger touring bodies priced from $5,000 to $6,200, depending on configuration.
Touring configurations ranged from four to seven passengers, built almost entirely by Pierce-Arrow’s own coachworks rather than outside suppliers. Production for 1916 totaled 1,647 units across all body styles.
Power came from a 525-cubic-inch (8.6-liter) T-head inline-six featuring two valves per cylinder and hydraulic valve lifters (a very advanced feature for the era). Though conservatively rated at 48 horsepower (matching the model designation), actual output was closer to 75 horsepower. A four-speed manual transmission with shaft drive sent power to rear-wheel drum brakes.
Semi-elliptic leaf springs supported the front axle, while three-quarter-elliptic springs controlled the semi-floating rear axle, providing a remarkably smooth ride over early 20th-century roads.
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