Pierce Arrrow rally draws vintage cars from across US

Posted 7/17/14

Some of the nation’s most unique and beautiful vintage vehicles made the City of Warwick – and the Crowne Plaza Hotel – their destination last week.

Officially, it was the Pierce-Arrow …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Pierce Arrrow rally draws vintage cars from across US

Posted

Some of the nation’s most unique and beautiful vintage vehicles made the City of Warwick – and the Crowne Plaza Hotel – their destination last week.

Officially, it was the Pierce-Arrow Society’s 57th Annual Meet, a fun-filled five-day gathering that the group’s president, Peter Williams, told participants would include such Ocean State delicacies as Awful Awfuls, stuffies, cabinets, johnnycakes, doughboys and clam cakes.

“You may even find yourself washing these down with a big glass of coffee milk,” William wrote in his “welcome to Warwick” address. “The Crowne Plaza provides an excellent meet hub, not only for outstanding scenic touring in our Pierce-Arrow motorcars but also for visiting top-flight activities at local historic sites.”

Last Saturday, scores of people walked around the well-groomed Crowne Plaza south lawn looking at a total of 37 Pierce-Arrows that were first manufactured in 1901 and are considered the aristocrat car of yesteryear. Pierce-Arrow also made the first-ever gasoline-powered cars in America.

“They were extra high quality automobiles,” said Fay Butler, the Car Show’s chief judge who lives in Wheelwright, Mass. “Back then the car cost between $6,000 and $7,000.”

As equally impressive, Butler noted “was that once former [United States] President James Taft had one, there was always a Pierce-Arrow in the White House.”

Show-goers like Bud and Rosemarie Barker of Warwick were amazed to learn that most of the Pierce-Arrows come to Warwick by trailer from as far away as Florida. However, there are exceptions to any rule.

Bill and Wilma Hunter Morris drove their 1930 Pierce-Arrow sedan a total of 1,012 miles from their home in Glen Ellyn, Ill. The Morris’ won the show’s Long Distance Award.

But Wayne Hancock of Brooksville, Fla. took home the Bernie Weis/Best of Show Award for his 1925 Pierce-Arrow roadster that was black and had red disc wheels.

Warwick resident Dick Shappy, who is well known for having a variety of vintage vehicles, showed his 1909 Pierce-Arrow Roadster that was pained early green and featured a copper hood.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here