1914 Packard Series 4-48 Touring

James Ward Packard purchased a 1898 Winton and found it to have several shortcomings. After expressing his dissatisfaction with the vehicle, Winton suggested that Packard should try his hand at building a motorcar. So, he did. He built 4 cars in 1899 and 47 cars in 1900.

On September 10, 1900, Packard and his brother William formed the Ohio Automobile Company in Warren, Ohio. In 1902, the firm became known as the Packard Motor Car Company. In 1903, it moved to Detroit, where a very large modern concrete factory was being built.

In 1902, Packard built two and four-cylinder cars, but it was a single-cylinder car that bettered Winton's coast-to-coast record in 1903. In 1907, Packard introduced the Model 30, helping to establish Packard was one of the premiere builders of luxury cars.

In 1900, James and William Packard formed the Ohio Automobile Co., located in their hometown of Warren, Ohio. They renamed the company in 1902 to the Packard Motor Car Company and subsequently moved the operations to Detroit. The touring model was their most popular body style. Prior to 1913, Packard's were powered by a four-cylinder engine.

1912 was the final year Packard built a four-cylinder production automobile as the following year would see the introduction of a new six cylinder car. Between 1913 to late 1915, Packard built six cylinder automobiles and in late 1915, a new V-12 engine would be built which was based on the designs of the Liberty V12 aircraft engine.

The 4-48 was a limited production Packard. Introduced in February 1914, only 441 4-48's were built. These were top-of-the-line automobiles, ranging in price from $4,480 to $6,100.

All 4-48's were built on a huge 144-inch wheelbase. Replacing the former T-head engine was a new, 525 cubic-inch six-cylinder 'Dominant Six,' that developed 60 horsepower.

Period advertising called the car 'The Boss of the Road.' The chassis was offered with twenty different body styles both open and closed. Packard Bijur electric lighting and starting was standard equipment as was a speedometer, clock, and air pump for inflating tires. Open cars were supplied with a Packard one-man top and Packard windshield. Prices ranged from $4050 for the Salon Touring car to $6150 for the Imperial Limousine.

Braking capacity was increased by the adoption of seventeen inch brake drums. Both front and rear tires were 37 x 5 non-skid. The six inch channel-steel frame was supported by semi-elliptic springs at the front and three-quarter scroll elliptic at the rear. Below the 18-inch diameter steering wheel was a box for ignition, lighting and mixture controls.

The new 4-48 helped built Packard's reputation as one of America's leading manufacturers of fine luxury automobiles, underscoring the company's famous motto, 'Ask the Man Who Owns One.'

This example was restored in the early 2000s. It was invited to the Amelia Island Concours and the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's in Plymouth, Michigan. The car is well equipped, with twin rear-mounted spares, a bulb horn and Elliott double combination clock-speedometer.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auctions sale in Amelia Island, Florida. It was estimated to sell for $350,000-$425,000. Bidding reached $320,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.