1923 Peerless 66 Speedster

Chassis No. 66A604Engine No. 66-A-604

 

70 bhp, 332 cu. in. L-head V-8, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle, semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension, and rear-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 128 in.

Vintage speedsters, a labor of love for enthusiasts, have emerged from various chassis, but this particular masterpiece stands out as one of the rare specimens born from a Peerless base. Peerless, hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, earned its place among the prestigious “Three P’s” of American motoring, alongside the iconic Packard and Pierce-Arrow. Revered for its steadfast engineering, Peerless garnered a reputation for enduring reliability during its heyday.

Ivan Jones and his late wife, Audrey, dedicated the late 1970s to sourcing parts from every corner of the country for their dream car. Residents of Littleton, Colorado, the couple epitomized true craftsmanship and automotive passion. Drawing inspiration from the speedsters of yore produced by Peerless in the early 1900s, they meticulously handcrafted this automobile, completing their labor of love in 1981. The result? A meticulously finished vehicle reminiscent of the Brass Era performance cars, featuring notable elements like the 1922-23 Peerless radiator shell, Model 66 drum headlights, and cream wire wheels adorned with blackwall tires.

Inside, the car boasts two Mercer Raceabout-inspired bucket seats positioned ahead of a spacious original oval gas tank, complemented by a wooden storage box and dual rear-mounted spares. Except for the body panels, which faithfully bear the Peerless mark, Mr. Jones contributed his own creations, including the teak dashboard and the cast windshield frame, meticulously crafted from a wooden prototype. Even the upholstery holds a story, sourced from an elk hunted by Mr. Jones and lovingly adorned by Mrs. Jones.

Powering this automotive marvel is a 1923 332 cubic inch Peerless V-8 engine coupled with a three-speed transmission, acquired after years of toiling at a Midwest sawmill. The Faux Side exhaust, a nod to period Grand Prix cars and supercharged legends like Duesenbergs and Auburns, adds a touch of nostalgia. To enhance cruising comfort, the current owner invested over $11,000 in a gear-vender overdrive system.

Dubbed “The Fearless Peerless” by its creators, Ivan and Audrey Jones, this speedster became their trusted companion on countless journeys across the United States. The trio shared memorable adventures with the Veteran Motor Car Club of America, including a prestigious stint leading the parade lap for Indy drivers at the Denver Grand Prix in 2006, chauffeured by their dear friend Jimmy Aretakis. Its fame extended to the printed page, gracing the cover of the May/June 2002 issue of the VMCCA magazine, The Bulb Horn.

Truly a one-of-a-kind creation, this vintage speedster combines robust performance with bodywork crafted with unwavering love and care. Driving it is an exhilarating experience, promising to add more chapters to its illustrious history with each new adventure.