Pierce-Arrow Model X

Pierce-Arrow Model X
Overview
Manufacturer	Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company
Production	1913–1922
Designer	H. Kerr Thomas & John Younger
Body and chassis
Body style	2-ton truck
Layout	Cab behind engine
Powertrain
Engine	4-cylinder inline petrol 25.6 hp (19.1 kW)note 1
Transmission	3-forward, 1-reverse
Propulsion	4x2
Dimensions
Wheelbase	12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) standard 15 ft (4.57 m) extra long
Length	18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) standard 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m) extra long
Width	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)

The Pierce-Arrow Model X was a truck model manufactured by the American firm Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company from 1913 to 1922. The Pierce-Arrow Model X was used in very large numbers by French and US militaries during the First World War.

The Model X was a cab behind engine, rear-wheel drive truck with a payload capacity of 2 short tons (1.79 long tons; 1.81 t).¹² The Model X was available in two chassis lengths, the standard chassis had a wheelbase of 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) and an overall chassis length of 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m), the extra long chassis had a wheelbase of 15 ft (4.57 m) and an overall chassis length of 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m).¹² The bare chassis was 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) in width.¹²

The Model X was powered by a 4-cylinder inline 25.6 hp (19.1 kW)^{note 1} T-head petrol engine with a bore and stroke of 4 by 5+1⁄2 in (102 by 140 mm), ignition was by magneto, a 13 US gal (11 imp gal; 49 L) fuel tank was standard.¹² The truck was driven through a three-speed transmission and the rear axle featured worm final drive.¹² It was fitted with a foot actuated transmission brake and hand actuated rear drum brakes.¹²

In 1910 Pierce-Arrow was looking to expand their commercial truck business, and on the advice of a young engineer, Francis W. Davis, the company hired two designers from British truck manufacturers.³⁴ Upon their arrival H. Kerr Thomas formerly of Hallford and John Younger formerly of Dennis, commenced designing a completely new range of trucks, the first of which was the 5-ton Model R which was introduced in 1911.³⁵ Following this, in 1913 the company introduced a smaller 2-ton model, the Model X.⁵

During the First World War, large numbers of Model Xs were built, between April 1914 and the time of the Armistice in 1918 7,051 Model Xs were produced.⁶ The Model X was purchased in large numbers by the French and US militaries for service during the war, the French purchased 2,100 for military service during the conflict.⁶⁷

Production of the Model X continued through the 1920s with few modifications, by 1921 Pierce-Arrow's total truck sales had dropped to 709 vehicles, and in 1922 the company suspended production of the Model X for newer models.⁵