USA vs USA — 1929 vs 1933
| 810/812 812 Supercharged | Silver Arrow | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 190 hp | 175 hp |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft | 400 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 4,729 cc | 7,031 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 13.0 sec | 18.0 sec |
| Top Speed | 110 mph | 115 mph |
| Weight | 3,902 lbs | 5,600 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 3,175 mm | 3,556 mm |
| Length | 4,953 mm | 5,690 mm |
| Units Produced | 2,320 | 5 |
| Original MSRP | $2,545 | $10,000 |
| Value (Excellent) | $500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Collectibility | 9/10 | 10/10 |
| Rarity | 8/10 | 10/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1929 Cord 810/812 812 Supercharged brings quicker acceleration, lighter weight, better value to the table, and the 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow answers with higher top speed, greater rarity, stronger collectibility. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.
In the world of Luxury cars, few comparisons generate as much discussion as the 1929 Cord 810/812 812 Supercharged versus the 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow. Both hail from Pre-war and represent the pinnacle of their respective manufacturers' ambitions. On paper, the two are remarkably close in power output, with the 1929 Cord 810/812 812 Supercharged producing 190 hp and the 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow delivering 175 hp. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the Cord 810/812 uses a V8 Lycoming Supercharged displacing 4,729 cc, while the Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow relies on a V12 OHV with 7,031 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1929 Cord 810/812 812 Supercharged edges ahead at 13.0 seconds versus 18.0 seconds. The Cord 810/812 carries a weight advantage, tipping the scales 1698 lbs lighter. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 5 units built, the 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow is considerably scarcer than the Cord 810/812's 2,320 examples. On the collector market, the 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow commands a significant premium over the 1929 Cord 810/812 812 Supercharged, reflecting differences in prestige and rarity.