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Topic starter
04/01/2023 3:19 pm
While the cars of the 50s drive my collecting passion more than any other decade, their flamboyant colors and styling themes are all a marvel. I have plenty of interest in other decades too. With that, the cars of the 30s are very intriguing as well. While they are far simpler in design and with much less of the color spectrum represented in their offerings, these are amazing cars in their own right. With far more auto makers still doing business in the 30s, a car buyer had more choices for their driving needs. The car makers of that decade were just getting started with plenty of new ideas and innovations. I can't help but admire the design cues of the time, and thankfully the 1:43 model world offers quite a few choices to satisfy my desires.
I'll start out the decade with these two gems from Esval Models, issued in 2016. They represent one of the most prominent auto makers from the era, Pierce-Arrow.
The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company started in producing cars in 1901, and by 1904 they were concentrating on larger, more luxurious cars for the upscale market. The early years were very successful for the company and owning a Pierce-Arrow was considered a status symbol for the well-healed. In 1928, Pierce-Arrow was acquired by Studebaker. That union gave Studebaker a foothold in the luxury market and Pierce-Arrow was able to take advantage of Studebaker's large dealer network. With Studebaker in receivership by early 1933, Pierce-Arrow was back on its own. A list of contributing factors in the early 30s led to Pierce-Arrow's eventual closing by 1938, and today, the cars built by Pierce-Arrow are highly sought-after fine works of craftmanship and art.
To my eyes, Esval has captured the look and style of these early gems very well. They, as well as a few other Pierce-Arrow models have become a treasured part of my collection.
1930 Pierce-Arrow Model B Roadster
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
04/01/2023 4:30 pm
What great-looking cars ! The 1930's certainly had many great automobiles that make superb collectible models.
John Merritt and John Kuvakas reacted
04/01/2023 5:08 pm
Many thanks for posting these great classics, John. Your presentation skills add much to the fine choices you made. Well done!
John Merritt and John Kuvakas reacted
04/01/2023 5:55 pm
The Esval Pierce Arrow is definitely a lovely piece that i was not aware of ,I’ve often wonder’d why not more of this make were produced considering multitude of model manufacturers out there. Surprisingly only a few are available.
I found this Pierce Arrow also a Model B by the National Model Museum in 1/32 scale,while not quite as Finally detailed as the Esval still thought it to be a very nice rendering of the model B…. And for less than a quarter of the price…
This post was modified 5 months ago 2 times by Larry kemling
04/01/2023 8:22 pm
The cars from the 30s, owned by people with money, like the models you show, are among the nicest looking cars ever made.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
John Merritt and John Kuvakas reacted
04/01/2023 9:06 pm
Great post John. I love those Pierce-Arrows and think that Esval did a respectable job with the models. Thanks for posting.
John Merritt reacted
04/01/2023 9:54 pm
Here's a 1933 Pierce Arrow Convertible Sedan that someone should make a model of. The car in the photo is a friend of mine's, one of two known to exist and one of five made. Body by LeBaron.
04/01/2023 10:03 pm
@parisi50 It is a beauty. love the convertible sedan body style.
Saint Clair Shores, Michigan
04/01/2023 11:15 pm
John, those are real trunks on those Pierce Arrows. Here are two later versions without the real things hanging out back, a la Brooklin.
This post was modified 5 months ago by Steve Williams
Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
05/01/2023 10:44 pm
I found another Pierce Arrow in my collection.
A 1934 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow Coupe, 30th Ann. Model, 1 of 999, 2004, sold by Mizell Trains, the 1st handbuilt of this genre I collected, a Christmas Gift from Aunt Martha
a
This post was modified 5 months ago by Steve Williams
Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
05/01/2023 11:32 pm
The most featured accessory of Pierce Arrow was without any doubt the archer hood ornament and it is well documented how it has been commissioned.
In the mid 80's Franklin Mint did a Series of 1:1 scale hood ornament replicas of the most prestigious cars of the 30's in either gold or silver plating. The holy grail is the Pierce Arrow and very hard to find in mint condition without broken parts. Here is a few pictures of the one I have.
Karl Schnelle and John Kuvakas reacted
06/01/2023 12:17 pm
Again, many thanks for all these great Pierce Arrow models, and I am impressed by Nickles' fine Archer photos. They made me look at three Pierce Arrow 1/43 models that were nearby. Here they are:
My favorite is the third, but it isn't marked by manufacturer on the base and the box isn't handy. I think it's an Esval. Pretty good Archer, IMO!
John Merritt and Bob Jackman reacted
06/01/2023 7:01 pm
@d-m-holcombe I too like the third one and would like to add one like it to my collection.
06/01/2023 8:30 pm
@bob-jackman When I'm next in my box storage area, I'll try to identify it and post results. So far, no luck.
John Merritt reacted
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