1914 Packard Series 2-38 Six Phaeton

James Ward Winton purchased a single-cylinder Winton in 1899. Unsatisfied with his purchase, he approached Mr. Winton to discuss his complaints. Mr. Winton's response was that if Mr. Packard could make a better product, then he should do so. Within a decade, Packard had become a major automaker, offering a broad range of models aimed at the luxury market.

The 1914 Packard 1-38 series was a continuation of the 1912-1913 'First 38 Series,' or 'Dominant Six,' as it was known internally. The list of body styles was all-encompassing, from a short 114-inch three-passenger Runabout to a seven-passenger limousine on a 138-inch wheelbase. The bodies were constructed from aluminum over white ash framing. Power was provided by a 415 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder L-head engine offering 60 horsepower. It had seven main bearings and its cylinders cast-in-pairs. Electrics were 6 volts; ignition was jump-spark by Bosch dual magneto. All had a multi-plate dry-disc clutch linking to a rear-mounted sliding-straight-cut gear transaxle with three speeds plus reverse.

In 1914, Packard introduced many features on the 1-38, including a Delco electric starting system, left-hand steering, and a centralized unit on the steering column to control ignition, lighting, horn, and carburetor mixture.

The Packard 1-38 was the company's lowest-cost automobiles at the time and were priced between $4,050 and $5,400 (a considerable price at the time).

Chassis Number 39441
This Packard 5-passenger phaeton was once part of the Richard Paine Collection in Seal Cove, Maine. Ownership later passed to the Matt Browning Collection in Ogden, Utah, as part of multi-car trade. The Packard was treated to a professional restoration that included the fabrication of all-new aluminum fenders, new paint, extensive replating of the brightwork, and six new demountable rims.

Prior to the restoration work being completed, Mr. Browning passed away and his family retrieved the partially assembled Phaeton. It was sent to Clyde Wade, former Director and General Manager of the William F. Harrah Automobile Collection in Reno, Nevada, for completion. The car was later sold by Mr. Browning's estate at the Christie's Monterey auction in 2000 to the current owner. The new owner sent the car to marque specialist Bob Mosier at Mosier Restorations in Inglewood, California, for freshening.

This is a matching number 1914 Packard that is finished in black and olive green with black fenders, belting, chassis, and running gear. Inside is black button-tufted long-grain leather upholstery. There is a black top, wooden artillery wheels with demountable rims, and twin spares.

This car is one of just nine surviving examples of 940 constructed.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2013

Packard Company was very successful with the production of its early four-cylinder cars and by 1912 it began production of the six-cylinder range. A total of 14 different body styles were offered, including this Phaeton. Packard owners could also choose from over 40 different paint styles in a range of attractive single and two-tone color schemes, and this olive green and black are typical of the era.

This Packard 38 has a T-head six-cylinder engine developing 82 horsepower at 1720 RPM. The 38 was known to be one of the smoothest running cars of its days - an experience made possible by a number of mechanical refinements, including a sliding gear transmission and a complicated shaft drive through spiral bevel gears.