1931 Packard TwinSix FWD V12 Prototype news, pictures, and information

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This Packard is unique in two respects. It has the prototype L-head, V-12 engine that would evolve into the Twin-Six Packard and it boasts the first front-wheel-drive layout on any Packard. More often found on European cars of the era, this layout used a transaxle. Due to its complexity, this layout never made it into production. The engine, though, was introduced as standard in 1932. The bodywork is reminiscent of that on the Cord L-29; Cord was another company experimenting with front wheel drive. This car was sent to be scrapped by Packard in 1935, but for unknown reasons it was saved. It had various owners before it was bought by the Harrah Collection. It was sold to the Bahre Collection in 1981.

Packard introduced the world to its V12-engine as early as 1912. In 1915 it was put into series production known as the Twin Six. It would remain in production until 1920, though development would continue for racing purposes for many years. When Cadillac introduced their V16 engine, followed by Marmon's Sixteen-cylinder unit, and a host of other potent powerplant from other marque's, Packard was convinced they needed a suitable competitor.

Their development of this new V12 unit was during the Great Depression, which continued to shrink the need for an expensive V12 engine. The Twin Six was introduced around the time of the Light Eight, which was an affordable version of their eight-cylinder model.

Conelius Van Ranst was hired by Packard to create a small bore version of their V12 unit. It was positioned at a 67-degree angle and sent the power it produced to the front wheels. This was a very unusual setup, as rear-wheel drive was the preferred configuration of the era. This new setup was complex, new, and met with major transaxle problems which delayed development. Only one example was ever created as Packard switched to the more conventional RWD layout. The production V12 engines were placed in a Deluxe Eight chassis, which were very heavy and required the V12 engine to be enlarged.

1931 Packard models
Packard 845 Waterhouse
Packard Model 833 Standard Eight
Packard Model 840 DeLuxe Eight

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