1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Touring

Between 1905 and 1925, there were thousands of automobile manufacturers in the United States. The most successful were those that had manufactured something else before they began making cars. George N. Pierce started by producing birdcages, progressed to bicycles, and eventually automobiles in 1901.

From the start, Pierce built cars of impeccable quality and workmanship, making extensive use of aluminum, bronze, and copper. In 1913, Pierce-Arrow introduced an enduring styling hallmark when it moved the headlights from their traditional placement at the radiator’s sides into flared housings molded into the front fenders. This patented design feature made Pierce-Arrows distinctive in front or side views.

By the First World War, Pierce-Arrow’s prestige was at its height. It was the car of choice of some of America’s most prominent families. Every president from Taft through F.D.R. had at least one Pierce-Arrow in the White House fleet.

More from our automobile collection:

In our current exhibit, From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, we present the origin story of the American automobile through 23 cars from Heritage’s permanent collection of antique and classic automobiles. Come along for a ride from the late 1800s to the 1960s and watch the car evolve from a horseless carriage to a streamlined symbol of freedom and independence.