Vehicle Description
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. At
6,950cc, or 424 cubic inches, Packard's new V-12 was only
marginally larger in displacement than the smaller of the two Sixes
it would replace. Aluminum pistons, a product of WWI technology,
reduced reciprocating mass. The two blocks, each of six cylinders,
were cast as a unit with the heads. The crankshaft, less massive
than the Six's, was supported in three main bearings. At 900
pounds, the new engine weighed 400 pounds less than the previous
Six. Production of the new First Series Twin Six began in 1915 for
the 1916 model year. It was offered in two wheelbase lengths, and
priced at $2,600 to $4,600, undercutting its predecessors by
hundreds of dollars. 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 three
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." The Twin Six
showed the handsome design, top-notch craftsmanship and tireless
attention to detail for which the company was already famous. The
bezels of the big electric headlamps echoed the lines of the famous
grille, and incorporated auxiliary lamps for city driving, while
the rest of the coachwork was embellished with just the right
amount of sparking brightwork. The 1917 Packard 2-25 Twin Six
Touring offered here has only been owned by two families. The
original owner bought the car when new and was then shortly
deployed to fight in WWI and unfortunately never returned, leaving
the car to sit for nearly 40 years with only 2,900 miles on the
odometer. It was then purchased by its second and present owner and
his father in 1956. The car underwent a full restoration that began
back in 1956 with the chassis, leaving the original body largely as
found. Fast forward to 1985, and the cosmetics were finally given
the restoration they deserved. The car has been beautifully
finished in green with black fenders and accented with pale yellow
artillery wheels and matching coachlines and features a beige
canvas top, staying true to the original Packard aesthetics. The
bright work on the car remains excellent with only slight signs of
use. A Packard-branded Boyce Motometer hood ornament allows the
driver to monitor coolant temperatures while driving, and the
headlights are adorned with depression glass lenses for added
elegance. This is not just another pretty face, it has been set up
with touring in mind; during restoration turn signals were added,
along with a discreetly and tastefully integrated third brake light
for safety. The interior of this Twin Six has also undergone a full
restoration, featuring black upholstery that complements the
exterior accents. The rear compartment is equipped with jump seats
for two. The dashboard instrumentation is quite comprehensive for
its era, including a Packard branded Waltham speedometer, a Waltham
eight-day clock, U.S. Gauge Co. gauges for oil pressure and
gasoline, and an ammeter. The engine compartment is nicely
detailed, and even with a few miles under its belt it is still
gorgeous . This Second Series Twin Six is a handsome, capable, and
rarely seen automobile, a major landmark in Packard's ascent to the
pinnacle of luxury car production. A cherished family member for
almost seven decades, this is an unrepeatable opportunity to be to
be only the third owner of a 100+ year old car! It remains in
superb mechanical condition and is ready to be enjoyed on driving
events such as CCCA CARavan tours, (and its one of the earliest
cars considered a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America)
or simply used to take family or friends on a weekend outing they
will never forget. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7753-1917-packard-twin-six-touring/
