Peerless Model 27 History

The Model 27 was one of Peerless's 1910 offerings and a good snapshot of the marque at its brass-era peak: a four-cylinder T-head engine of about 410 cubic inches rated at 30 horsepower, driving through a four-speed transmission. Like its rivals it carried two-wheel mechanical drum brakes — Peerless was an early adopter of drum braking.

It was sold in a full range of coachbuilt bodies — roadster, pony tonneau, touring, and close-coupled tourer at $4,300, rising to a demi-limousine at $4,800, a seven-passenger limousine at $5,500, and a landaulet at $5,800 — sums that placed Peerless firmly among the most expensive American cars. The open bodies rode a 118.5-inch wheelbase, the larger closed cars a 122-inch wheelbase.

Peerless built 2,315 cars in 1910, up from 1,618 the year before — strong numbers for a maker of cars this costly, and a sign of the company's standing as one of the 'Three Ps' of American luxury motoring alongside Packard and Pierce-Arrow.