1930 Pierce Arrow Waterhouse
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1930 Pierce Arrow Waterhouse Convertable Victoria
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Vehicle Specifications
Year: 1930
Make: Pierce Arrow
Model: Model B chassis
Coachbuilder: Waterhouse
Body Style: Convertible Victoria
Here is a truly unique Pierce Arrow: It is one of only three to be custom bodied by Waterhouse Coachbuilders, and the only one to carry a Convertible Victoria style body.
The Convertible Victoria five passenger body was mounted on a Pierce Arrow 8 Model B chassis which was the next to longest wheelbase they offered at 139 inches. The total length of the car is 215 inches with a width of 68.5 inches.
The model B carries an inline 8 cylinder engine with a displacement of 366 cubic inches. Using a single, updraft, two barrel, Stromberg carburetor it produces 125 hp @ 3000 rpm and 250 lb ft of torque at around 1400 rpm. Power is transferred through a twin disc clutch to a four speed, non synchromesh transmission.
The chassis incorporates a solid beam front axle and a semi floating rear axle. Both are suspended by semi-elliptical leaf springs which are covered by metal gaitors to keep the grease in and the dirt out. The suspension is dampened by lever actuated hydraulic shocks from Houdaille. Stopping power is provided by a Bendix three shoe drum brake set up at each corner. The brakes are operated menchanically not hydraulically. The wooden artillery style wheels are considered the most costly of wheel choices and this car carries dual sidemounts. Each wheel is hand striped according to the original design.
Incorporated into each hood side are five individually opening vent doors even though the shutters are controlled automatically by a radiator bellows. The shutters are painted body color as original.
The windshield tilts open at the bottom and is shaded across the top by an external fabric covered visor which also tilts. Notice that the windshield wiper is unusually mounted on the right hand side with a slave rod connecting the left wiper, most likely because the very short windshield did not leave room to see around the wiper motor if mounted on the left. Located on top is a single cowl vent controlled by a turn knob above the dash to provide fresh air to the occupants' feet.
Pierce Arrow used a triple taillight on a single stalk that included a clear back up light, a dark red brake light and a red running light that has a clear license plate lens at the botttom. At that time there were no turn signals, and therefore no need for a second set of tail lights. This car also has runningboard step lights in the splash aprons.
An external aluminum trunk was mounted on a flat rear deck which was formed into the body and became an integral part of defining a Waterhouse Convertible Victoria body.
Inside, the plating was finished in nickel, as opposed to chromium which was used on the outside for longer durability. The steel dash is woodgrained to look like the rest of the trim which is solid walnut. The seats are upholstered with a single panel, unpleated style which is considered a higher quality than pleats, as it necessitates the use of only the best leather. The convertible top and wool carpets are trimmed using the same dark blue leather. Pockets are provided in the front kick panels and the rear quarter panels but not in the doors. The rear quarters also carry ash trays, although there is no lighter provided for the rear seat. Rear seating is nicely lit with dome lights in the corners of the rear top-bow. The top irons still have the manufacturers engraving clearly visible. As an artistic theme, the unique shape of the radiator shell is repeated twice on the dash in the bezel shape for the speedometer and the clock.
During this restoration the intent was always to be as original as possible. This included the two tone paint of Orville blue and Briarcliff Beige that was evident in multiple places even though it had been repainted to some extent. The original carpet and upholstery were mostly intact although the seats had new leather installed over the original.
The current owner is the grandson of Charles Waterhouse, one of the original owners of the Waterhouse Co. He is the first Waterhouse to own a car that carries a Waterhouse body. He has spent many years researching and documenting the Waterhouse family business. Through this research he has aquired several original factory photos and drawings. He found the car, with the help of others, in a New England shed where it had been stored for many years. A restoration had been started with partial disassembly and some replating. It was then relegated to the leaky shed where it spent a great many New England seasons. The three sisters who owned it were reluctant to part with it since their father had owned it since the 1940's, and they had used it into the 70's. However, when they learned who was trying to buy it, and his intentions to restore it to it's original glory, they concluded he was the person who should own it.
For further reading of the history and restoration of this car see the June 2009 issue of Hemmings "Classic Car" magazine and the article by Jim Donnelly.
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