1902 Packard Model F

The Model F was one of the earliest vehicles built by the great James Ward Packard. It consisted of a single-cylinder engine producing 12 horsepower. It was introduced in November 1901, and by this point in history, the size and price of Packard cars had grown substantially. A few years later, Packard introduced a second Model F, this version consisted of a 2-cylinder engine now producing 24 horsepower. The model F's were assembled in a plant located in Warren, Ohio.

The Packard Model F shared its 12-horsepower single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with the prior Model C which had debuted in 1902. The Model F was the first Packard with artillery-style spoke wood wheels and introduced a three-speed selective sliding gear manual transmission, which became an industry standard.

For the 1903 model year, the Packard Model F rode on a wheelbase that had been increased to 88 inches and given a sleek sloping hood, inspired by the contemporary French Renault. Pricing began at $2,250 for the two-passenger roadster and $2,500 for the rear entry tonneau. Packard sold 179 examples of the Model F for 1902 and 1903.

The Packard Model F was the company's most expensive automobile when introduced. It had remarkably good fuel efficiency, rated at 27.5 mpg. The vehicle's dependability and durability were proven when 'Old Pacific,' driven by Tom Fetch and Marius Krarup, completed a run from San Francisco to New York. This amazing accomplishment was done during an era when there were virtually no roads.

Mechanical Specification
12 horsepower, single-cylinder engine displacing 183.8 cubic inches. It had a 6-inch bore, a 6.5-inch stroke, and a five-gallon radiator capacity. The sliding gear transmission had three forward speeds, a center chain drive, and a spur gear differential. The wood artillery wheels were wrapped with 34x4 tires. The wheelbase measured 84 inches.

The Packard Model F had a bulb horn, oil side lights, and large front fenders. The five-passenger rear entrance tonneau had a removable rear section that transformed it into a two-passenger roadster. Passengers could enter through a rear door when the center seat cushion was raised.

Packard produced 244 examples of the Model F with a price of approximately $2,500.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2011