1912 Packard Model Thirty

Packard introduced its Model 30 in August 1906 and proudly proclaimed that the car underwent over 50,000 test miles before being introduced to the public. The test car was nicknamed 'Gasoline Gus' and in one test, Gus covered 606 miles of Michigan's sandy roads in one day with NO repairs or adjustments with the exception of replacing one tire. This test run became a world record and Packard capitalized on it with a special brochure titled The Flight of the Thirty.

The Packard Model 30 was an evolution - a refinement - of the preceding Model 24 and was advertised as longer, lower, and larger. Its wheelbase measured 124 inches which were three inches longer than the Twenty Four, and much of its greater length was comprised of the longer aluminum hood. A shorter, 108-inch platform was reserved for the runabout body style - the touring sedan, limousine, and landaulet rested on the larger platform. The motor and radiator were positioned farther back in the chassis for better weight distribution and balance, and the styling of the fenders was new. The 431.9 cubic-inch T-head four-cylinder engine had been redesigned and developed 30 horsepower at 650 RPM, under the French system. Using the NACC system that was later adopted, the engine produced approximately 50 to 60 horsepower. The engine was paired with a three-speed manual transmission with shaft drive, and rear-wheel drum brakes provided the stopping power. The suspension used a live tubular rear axle with three-quarter-elliptical springs while the front used an I-Beam straight axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Wooden wheels were placed at all four corners.

The Packard Model 30 proved very popular for the company with 1,403 examples being produced in 1907. This was also the year that Packard changed the model designation from letters to engine horsepower. Prices for the open coachwork began at $4,200 and rose to $5,500 for the limousine and $5,600 for the landaulet.

The Packard Model 30 was the last of the vehicles built with right-hand drive configuration and an engine of 'only' four cylinders. Production continued through 1912 with 9,540 examples produced during its lifespan including 1,250 in 1912. The Model 30's position as the company's top-of-the-line model was replaced by the Twin Six.

Standard Model 30 equipment included a tool kit, an air-pressure gauge, an oil lamp, two extra demountable rims, and a speedometer.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2022