The 47th Annual Meeting of the Pierce-Arrow Society was held this year in Asheville, North Carolina. PAS families came from 30 states, Spain and Canada. About 45 Pierce-Arrows ranging from 1903 to 1936, and a number of bicycles, participated in the three days of touring followed by the show on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. We had the privilege of talking with President Woodrow Wilson and observing his 1919 Vestibule Suburban, presented by the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Foundation members from Staunton, VA.

About 275 PAS members and friends introduced themselves or refreshed friendships during the welcoming reception on Tuesday night. Copious entrees at several stations around the banquet room provided for a sumptuous feast to kick off the meet.

During the next three days we enjoyed the meet committee's detailed driving tours to points of interest around Asheville.

The first tour started Wednesday morning. Many cars toured to a coffee stop at Chimney Rock before continuing on for lunch in Hendersonville. Carl Sandburg's home was an attraction along the way. The poolside BBQ was moved inside due to rain, where we were entertained by two separate dance troops: cloggers and square dancers. Some PAS members joined the dancers to learn something new on the dance floor.

The next day the Pierce-Arrows drove west on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Wheels Through Time Museum. After a picnic lunch on the museum grounds, we toured the museum to observe many classic cars and a large collection of antique motorcycles. We watched a Pierce 4-cylinder motorcycle being ridden around the grounds. The evening provided an exchange of parts, pieces and stories in the flea market.

Friday's tour included some more of the rain dampened Blue Ridge Parkway enroute to the Arboretum, Folk Art Center and lunch at the Pisgoh Inn. Despite the showers, PAS members enjoyed the indoor exhibit of bonsai trees at the Arboretum and artwork by North Carolina artisans at the Folk Art Center. The evening's premiere event was a tour of the Biltmore mansion with photos taken in front of the chateau. The views within this grand residence, the maintained and manicured grounds, and Pisgah forest in the distance are remarkable. Vanderbilt's vision of his residence and the magnificence of the structure thrill visitors.

The weather cooperated for the Saturday concours held on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. The skies cleard and the sun came out to shine on the Pierce-Arrows. An elegant, catered lunch in true Biltmore and Pierce-Arrow style was served for lunch. Buses shuttled PAS members between the show field and the restaurant, also on the estate grounds. Some PAS members took the opportunity to continue their tour of the estate grounds from the night before. The time flew by observing the mansion and immediate grounds, but there was much more to observe in the arboretum and its immediate grounds. There were a number of topiaries, characters or scenes assembled in flowers or bushes, which were beautifully presented.

Judging was conducted by several efficient teams, with a focus on vehicle originality and the criteria of completing one of the tours. The judging teams worked well into the afternoon to determine the winners in each class. The award winners are listed at the bottom of this page.

A growing trend at Pierce-Arrow Society Annual Meets is the wearing of period clothing on tours and meet events. The scene of elegantly dressed ladies arriving at the Biltmore mansion in their Pierce-Arrows will not soon be forgotten! A ladies tea was a new addition to the Annual Meet this year. Next year, there will be a workshop on finding and creating period fashions.

On Saturday afternoon, Fay Butler presented an excellent technical session of the history of aluminum parts. Pierce-Arrow extensively used aluminum in the early cars, including casting the entire body until 1921. Aluminum body panels, crankcases, transmission housings, and cast moldings continued to be made from aluminum through the 1928 models. Fay reminded us how precious and amazing aluminum was at the turn of the last century, when Pierce-Arrow was on the forefront of technology.

Saturday evening brought the awards banquet, where there were more elegant classic era outfits modeled by our members and friends. The meal was delicious and the company very social. The table decorations were glass vases that were etched with the front fender profile of a teen's Pierce-Arrow. We all had time to reflect on the events of the week. One member commented that the Pierce-Arrow Annual Meet is always held on the "shortest week of the year", or so it seems.

PAS President Arnold Romberg reported that the Pierce-Arrow Society is in good health, financially stable, and has a growing membership base. A round of applause was given to meet chairman Marc Hamburger and his committee for providing us all with an enjoyable week of activities.

After the awards presentation, Bill and Wilma Morris invited us all to join him next year in Springfield, Illinois, where we will be Searching for Lincoln. Bill reminded us of the many historic sites related to Abraham Lincoln in the Springfield area and also discussed some of the special events planned, including a tour on historic Route 66. We hope you can join us for the 2005 Pierce-Arrow Society Annual Meet.