Coachbult.com - Buffalo Body Corporation



Buffalo Body Corporation - 1820s-1930s - Buffalo, New York

A Texas-Stvle Motor Home

In Paul Jacobs' collection is an interesting array of original photos, news clippings and publicity on a specially-built Pierce-Arrow motor home built in 1926 for a wealthy Texan. 'He kindly let us borrow the items,' which we have reproduced here. Wouldn't it be great if this vehicle still existed?

With the, aid of a magnifier, this original photo shows a Motoco thermometer mounted on the left partition to give both inside and outside temperatures. High on the right side wall is an Atwater Kent radio. Upholstery appears to be in an "alligator grain" leather. The clipping on the next page shows. the interior with dining tables set up between the seats.

Ralph Beuerman, a graduate of the Elm Vocational School, wrote the account of his experiences driving the vehicle for the owner. It appeared in "The Elm Tribune", for June 1927.

$30,000 Touring Home is Built for Texan

Most Complete Bus of Its Kind Constructed in Buffalo.

What is described as the most elaborate and complete motor touring home ever built has just been constructed by two Buffalo firms for O.O. Norwood of of Austin, Texas, a guest at the Hotel Statler. The mansion on wheels cost between $25,000 and $30,000, and contains every device possible for the comfort of its occupants.

The body, finished in three shades of contrasting blue, is mounted on a Pierce-Arrow bus chassis, with a wheelbase of 220 inches. The body itself was especially designed and constructed by the officers and engineers of the of the Buffalo Body Corporation and took 10 month to design and construct. The equipment includes an altimeter, reading lights, radio set, wardrobe with full-length French mirrors, lavatory and shower bath, electric stove and refrigerating plant, and a kitchen and bath in white enamel. The finish in the living room is of American black walnut, rubbed, to a semi-piano finish.

The living quarters are toward the front end. The driver's seat can be folded down making a bed for two persons. Seats, for four persons in the living room can be converted into two beds at night. Each bed is equipped with an all mattress and pillows. The latest type vacuum brakes and shock absorbers insure the comfort of the owner and his guests when the rolling room forsakes the main thoroughfares for the byways.

Mr. and Mrs. Norwood, accompanied by two guests, will motor to New York, Washington, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Yellowsone National Park, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, Hot Springs and home to Austin. The construction of the vehicle was done under, the supervision of Harry A. Shaw, and Ernest S. Cook of the Buffalo Body Corporation.

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Buffalo Body - A company named Buffalo made some production bodies for the air cooled Fox car which was built in Philadelphia, PA from 1922 to 1923. Other bodies for the Fox came from Derham, Fleetwood, Springfield, Buffalo, and Bridgeport. (was Buffalo the American Body Co of Buffalo or another firm?)

Jacques Manufacturing Company of Wilmington, Delaware - A company names Jacques made some production bodies for the air cooled Fox car which was built in Philadelphia, PA from 1922 to 1923. Other bodies for the Fox came from Derham, Fleetwood, Springfield, Buffalo, and Bridgeport. (was Buffalo the American Body Co of Buffalo or another firm?) Jacques Manufacturing Company of Wilmington, Delaware – built bodies for the Lexington Automobile of Connersville, Indiana (1909-1927)

For more information please read:

The Arrow - publication of the Pierce-Arrow Society

Beverly Rae Kimes - The Classic Car

Beverly Rae Kimes - The Classic Era

Beverly Rae Kimes - Packard: A History of the Motorcar and Company

Beverly Rae Kimes & Henry Austin Clark Jr. - Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942

Richard Burns Carson - The Olympian Cars

Raymond A. Katzell - The Splendid Stutz

Marc Ralston - Pierce Arrow

Brooks T. Brierley - There Is No Mistaking a Pierce Arrow

Brooks T. Brierley - Auburn, Reo, Franklin and Pierce-Arrow Versus Cadillac, Chrysler, Lincoln and Packard

Brooks T. Brierley - Magic Motors 1930