Pierce-Arrow Motorette History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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The George N. Pierce Company built bicycles and household goods in Buffalo before entering the automobile business. Its first car, the Motorette, appeared in 1901: a light runabout powered by a single-cylinder, 2.75-hp engine licensed from the French firm de Dion-Bouton, with a two-speed transmission.
About 170 Motorettes were built between 1901 and 1903. The bought-in de Dion engine was replaced during 1903 by a Pierce-manufactured unit, marking the company's first step toward building its own cars end to end — the foundation of what would become America's premier luxury marque.
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