The renowned old Buffalo, New York, luxury automaker Pierce-Arrow merged in 1928 with Studebaker, with the latter putting its considerable fortunes fully behind the development of Pierce’s first eight-cylinder engine, a replacement for its long-lived six.

Debuted in 1929, the new eight was a breakthrough, weighing some 100 pounds less than the big T-head six that it replaced and offering 25 percent more power from a 12 percent smaller displacement.

It was even less expensive, with prices beginning at $2,775—allowing for Pierce-Arrow quality to be offered to a broader market in no fewer than 12 body styles.

This included the rakish and sporty Touring with Tonneau Shield—what other manufacturers termed a dual-cowl phaeton—on the 133-inch-wheelbase chassis.

According to the records of the late, longtime Pierce-Arrow Society historian, Bernard J.

Weis, the Touring with Tonneau Shield offered here is one of just ten known to survived; its having been built in this configuration is conf...