1914 Packard Model 1-38 Runabout

Packards 1-38 model was introduced in December of 1912 and was the company's second six-cylinder model. Power was from an L-head engine with cylinders cast in pairs, rode on seven main bearings, and displaced 415 cubic inches, offering 60 brake horsepower. These were the first Packard cars to have left-hand drive and an electric start, with the latter being provided by a Delco starter-generator, of the type developed by engineer Charles Kettering.

The Model 1-38 had a control unit attached to the steering column. This unit was the work of chief engineer Jesse Vincent, who would later be responsible for Packard's Twin Six and Liberty aircraft engine, and it had an ignition lock; switches for the ignition, lights, and horn; and a mixture control for the carburetor. This setup placed most of the controls within easy reach for the driver, leaving the instrument panel free for instruments alone, except for a carburetor primer used for starting.

The two-passenger runabout rode on a 115-inch frame, while most of the other Model 1-38 body styles rested on a 134-inch wheelbase platform. The runabout measured nearly two feet shorter than the big cars, with comparably lightweight bodywork.

This particular Model 1-38 Runabout is one of only five known to exist. Its known history is traced back to the 1930s when it was in the care of an owner in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1950, it was sold by an owner in Kissimmee, Florida, to Oakley Sumpter, of Perryville, Missouri, for $450. At the time, the car was still in an orange grove, where it was being used as a truck. Mr. Sumpter retained the car for 35 years, after which it was acquired by restorer Wendell Ohlendorf, of Beecher, Illinois, for his client, collector Cornelius 'Konnie' Kuiper.

The car was restored by Mr. Ohlendorf and his son for Mr. Kuiper. The car retained all of its original bodywork, including the hood, fenders, and running boards, except for the sheet metal under the mother-in-law seat.

When the work was finished, the car was sold in 1997 to Michigan enthusiast John McMullen. Mr. McMullen had the car refinished by the shop of Brian Joseph, in the present color scheme of red with white striping. The front seats are in red leather, and the rear mother-in-law seat is upholstered in matching red vinyl. The top is of black canvas, with brass hardware and a deep red lining, and the twin rear-mounted spare tires have a black canvas cover. The chassis frame, suspension, and axles are all finished in the body color, as are the wheels, which are pinstriped in grey and white. The engine is painted in gloss black and has been fully detailed.

Mr. McMullen showed his Packard extensively and it won many major awards, including Best in class at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance and Best in Show at the Bay Harbor Motoring Festival. After a decade in the McMullen Collection, the car was purchased and owned for several years by another collector, John Groendyke, before coming into the care of its present owner.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014