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 forThe
Automobileraved 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
