It Seems This Is 1930 Peerless Week

[jeff_a]

A car mentioned on the AACA Forums in June, 2006. I finally found a photo of it after nine years on a site called projectvroom.com, where some of the more interesting craigslist ads wind up..

Edited November 3, 2015 by jeff_a (see edit history)

[jeff_a]

Never a street rod. I suppose you could say it was hot-rodded a little, but hot-rodders don't usually take out a straight eight and put in a straight eight...but that's what happened. Haven't been able to find the current owner and ask if he has more original parts.

 

Back in 1960, someone was trying to make this into a California lakebed runner(i.e., Muroc Dry Lake, SCTA). SCTA allowed only streamliners & roadsters. They ran with a vestigal windshield(4" or 5" high) or no windshield, souped-up engines, and with small headlights to catch less wind, from what I've read. In this case, the coupe roof was removed and a Chrysler "Spitfire" straight eight engine was put in. I gather the car was never finished and the owner who started modifying it died over 50 years ago. Car's been inside since then. Next owner asking what the timing order was on the forums 9 years ago. Photo from 2 years ago, ad from 5 months back. Supposedly, the car runs.

 

To me, it looks like a 1930 Peerless Model "A" (Standard Eight) or possibly a 1930 Model "B" (Master Eight). As you know, the 1930 Peerless models all had straight eights. The "A" had a 246.7 Continental, the "B" a 322.0. KPAIE shows only 7 "A"s around, the "B"s: 10, "C" Peerlesses(Custom Eights): 6, and 6: unknown model. The wheelbase would tell me what model it was.

 

The car in the picture has hood sides with 30 louvers in 6 groups of 5, which usually tells us that it's a Model "A" Peerless...but recently I've learned that some of the Model "B" Peerlesses had the same type of hood sides. The 247 Continental was used in '26 (J Series Playboy Roadster), '27 (J and J-1 Series), '29 (Jordan 8), and '31 (Jordan 80 Series) Jordans as well as Peerless Mod. "A"s. Nice recent picture of a similar 1930 Peerless in "Peerless For Sale Department" thread, post #126....same camera angle; but in better shape, sedan instead of coupe and showing the proper lights. 

 

I always thought it would be nice if someone could find the correct 17S or 13K Continental engine somewhere, sell the Chrysler engine, and bring it back to having the right engine in the car. Losing the 70s Camaro bucket seats, or whatever they are, would be a plus, too, if it were mine. It would be a major project for a restoration shop, with lots of ifs, if one could be found to turn it back into a Peerless Coupe. It would be the only known 1930 Peerless Standard Eight Coupe in the world, if it turns out to be a Model "A". There is a '31 Model "B" Coupe in Ontario (and a '31 "B" in Wisconsin Missouri that is a Cabriolet, even though it doesn't have a complete top at present)....but no Model "A"s which I know of.

Edited October 21, 2016 by jeff_a (see edit history)

[jeff_a]

If someone finds the owner of this 1930 Peerless, please say something. I wasn't able to find the current owner or a specific price (there was something a bit nebulous about "best offer...commuter car + cash..."), though it was for sale 5/29/15.  

 

Not having a windshield, top and factory lights detracts from the cars appearance, but this could be quite a distinctive car if restored...and rare. My educated guess is that it's a Peerless Model "A": 2,003 built...7 remaining. The Model A and B didn't come as Roadsters, but Cabriolets and Coupes were offered. This one was originally a Coupe, with a golf bag door, rumble seat, and dual sidemounts. Among the  most stylish of all Peerlesses, built with bodies designed by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. Photo taken 2 years ago -- it was rolled outside for pictures -- but has been stored indoors since the 1960s.

Edited November 3, 2015 by jeff_a (see edit history)

[thegreendragon]

I have never heard of a Peerless Model "A", "B", or "C'  except the 1901 Models. Peerless never referenced any of their cars A or B after 1901 that I know of, I have never seen it in any of their ads. Where does this come from?

RHL

[jeff_a]

Good question. From the Car Serial Numbers (i.e. C 70,555), and the Peerless Motor Service Co. listing them as:

 

Model.........Series

 

  C............Custom

  B............Master

  A...........Standard

 

Jeff McIntire's 1930 Master Eight Sedan in PA has body stamping data from Hayes on the firewall referring to his as a Series B instead of a Model B, but generally these are called Master Eights, Standard Eights, Custom Eights, Deluxe Master Eights, Custom Deluxe Eights, etc.

 

Do you know anyone who could pull off an engine swap & restoration of this? Maybe Bill Knight in Wisconsin is the man. I think it would be hard to find a 17S Continental straight eight for it, but the running Chrysler 8 shouldn't be hard to find a home for. It also has a LaSalle 3-spd w/ electric O/D and a Dana rear end. Those must have been the ticket for lakebed runners back in the old days at El Mirage and Muroc Dry Lakes, half a century ago.

Edited November 5, 2015 by jeff_a (see edit history)