Vehicle Description
1917 Packard Twin 6 2-25 Series Touring
When Packard, like many of the world's automotive manufacturers,
turned its attention to designs for aircraft engines during World
War I, it decided upon a V-12 configuration for its combination of
compactness and power. Packard's brilliant chief engineer, Jesse
Gurney Vincent, had another attribute in mind when he chose the
12-cylinder configuration for a road car: unmatched smoothness.
Enzo Ferrari was so impressed with the smoothness of the Twin Six
engine that he used it as inspiration for his own V-12 engines
years later.
For consignment a 1917 Packard Twin 6 2-25 Series Touring. One fine
automobile in very good condition, we have in our midst chassis
126726 who's original owner was a GE employee Martin P Rice of
Schenectady, NY. Mr Rce would keep the car for 7 years eventually
selling it to James Tiffany of Delanson, NY. Mr Tiffany owned the
car until 1970. It then went through the hands of a few other
owners and eventually into a collection of a gentleman named Howard
Schevitz who lovingly restored the car to its current condition. A
big car, with big lines and a big engine....exactly what the
doctor, er...ummm...the GE employee ordered.
Exterior
One of Packard's features is the exceptional coachwork all
performed in house. Pulling from what was seemingly an unlimited
pool of in house craftsmen, and today this talent is on display
within this car. Right down to the Warner Lenz headlight bezels
which are works of art in themselves. This body which sits upon the
2-25 original chassis, has 4 doors, a long cowled hood, beautifully
curved exterior fenders and running boards and a convertible top
which is all excellently restored canvas and in black. The body is
near flawless, bathed in Packard Blue, and the fenders and hood are
contrasting and tasteful black. All of the paint is miles deep and
the gaps remain like they were from the factory. Fine details like
the radiator cap, with its twin 6 numerals, and new for 1917
smaller 35-inch wheels make the car lower to the ground than the
previous launch year. These wheels are expertly crafted from wood,
and have a steel cast center hub with the Packard badged center
chromed hub cover. Even the spokes alternate in styling and pin
striping a tribute to the attention to detail present in this
example. Surprisingly chromed and polished adornments are kept to a
very tasteful minimum, showing up only on the radiator cap, side
view mirror and the dual windshield frame which can be tilted out.
The door handles are very special as well and provide easy access
to the passenger compartment. On the back, a single tail light and
two spare tires reside off the rear of the passenger tub. A lack of
chromed bumpers is also interesting and evident.
Interior
A swing of the heavily leather clad and exceptionally padded doors
allows us access to the well appointed passenger compartment with
its ability to seat 7 comfortably. Dual larger black leather
benches accept the passengers on wide tuck and roll curved back
styled seats. For the driver, a large wood steering wheel is
reaching for his or her hands, and has all controls on the actual
wheel. It's a process to start her but getting through it is well
worth the effort. Interestingly, the dash is devoid of any gauges,
just blue painted steel. In front of the passenger are a dual
stacked cluster of a clock and the speedometer actually mounted
under the dash. The shift lever and handbrake are to the driver's
left and mounted next to the driver's door. Down below, the
flooring is made up of nearly perfect rubber panels with chromed
edging. Entering the car from the rear doors we are introduced to
two jump seats with the ability to fold in and down to the floor,
offering the rear curved tuck and rolled bench passengers to have
plenty of legroom. The convertible top is open to the elements so
this should be considered a fair weather car.
Drivetrain
Under the black painted cowled hood we see the heartbeat of the car
in its twin 6 cylinder, (V12), configuration. This too is
beautifully preserved and runs like a Swiss watch. It weighs in at
424.1 cubic inches and produces 88hp. It has a 1 barrel carburetor
and 3 speed manual transmission on back with 4.35 rear axle turning
the rear tires. All very nicely preserved,down to the cups on top
of each cylinder head.
Undercarriage
Retaining the original chassis and suspension shows a testament as
to exactly how well made these fine automobiles were constructed.
This chassis shows some light surface rust and plenty of patina but
remains structurally solid. The bottoms of floorboards and running
boards are nicely preserved and all solid as well. The car has rear
only mechanical drum brakes, and leaf sprung suspension both fore
and aft.
Drive-Ability
The engine's smoothness and tractability left automotive
journalists grasping at superlatives. A writer for The Automobile
raved that the car would accelerate smoothly from 3 miles per hour
in top gear. A journalist who caught a ride with American soldiers
in their pursuit of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa related
that, "it was like riding on velvet when those big Packards laid
back their ears and breezed along as though their only ambition was
to catch up with the horizon." My experience was just as
pleasurable with the car running very smoothly and all in working
condition.
Just a wonderful example of automotive history, all nicely
preserved and in fine running order and unbelievably 106 years
young. Time to see how the other half lived. Go ahead make your
day!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
