1920 Peerless Model 56 Cloverleaf Roadster
- 80 bhp, 331.8 cu. in. L-head V8 engine.
- Three-speed manual transmission.
- Solid front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.
- Platform rear suspension with semi-elliptic leaf springs.
- Two-wheel mechanical drum brakes.
- 125" Wheelbase
This Model 56 Peerless was restored around ten years ago by a previous owner. Nicely finished in light blue with black fenders, it is of four-door “Cloverleaf” configuration, with a close-coupled four-seat cockpit and stylish tail with a small luggage compartment. It is upholstered in black leather and has a black canvas top. The brightwork is all genuine nickel.
The Herschell-Spillman V8 runs well – it is the third generation of this design and the most refined. It features a Ball and Ball carburetor, which is said to be the first progressive four-barrel type in the industry. The car is also fitted with a Kellogg water-cooled four-cylinder tire pump.
Peerless Company History:
The Peerless Manufacturing Company was a manufacturer of clothes wringers. In 1901, the Cleveland, Ohio firm took a license from DeDion in France to build what it called the “Motorette,” a single-cylinder tricycle. This was followed by two- and four-passenger versions and soon by 12- and 16-horsepower vertical twins. By 1904, the Peerless line included 24 and 35 horsepower fours with touring and limousine bodies.
Key to these developments was engineer Louis P. Mooers. Mooers had joined Peerless in 1900, putting the Motorettes into production and designing the twin-cylinder engines. Mooers took Peerless racing. In 1902 he prepared a car for the Gordon Bennett race in Ireland. Forced out by tire trouble, he tried again in 1903, but was out after the first lap. The car’s greatest fame would come with Barney Oldfield at the wheel, dressed in green to match its color. Its four exhausts belched fire, and it is said that young boys dubbed it the “Green Dragon.”
Peerless, by now one of the prestige “Three Ps” with Packard and Pierce-Arrow, began building sixes in 1907. The big 60-horsepower cars dominated in image, if not in numbers, at prices up to $7,200. In 1916, following the lead of Cadillac, Peerless introduced a V8, a 331.8 cubic inch side valve unit built by Herschell-Spillman. It would remain the only powerplant until a lower-priced Model 6-70 was introduced in 1925.
An invited participant in the 2008 Kirkland, Washington Concours d’Elegance, it is offered with an owners manual. Peerless cars of this era seldom come on the market. This is a chance to acquire an excellent example.
