1908 Packard Model Thirty Tourer

For 1908, the Packard Model Thirty was offered as a Runabout, a Tourer, and as a Limousine. The Runabout rested on a wheelbase that measured 108 inches, while the other body styles rode on a 123.5-inch wheelbase. Power was from a 431.9 cubic-inch four-cylinder T-head engine that offered 30 horsepower.

The Model 30 was introduced in 1906 and served as a worthy successor to the Model 24. By this point in history, Packard had earned the reputation for being one of America's finest automobile producers.

The Model 30 was produced through early 1912 with several key modifications and incremental improvements made during its lifespan. In total, there were 9,540 examples of the Model 30 produced.

This 1908 Packard Model 30 Touring Car is one of the earliest Packard Model 30 still in existence. There are fewer than 50 Model 30's that still remain. The original owner of this car was Charles Page who bought it new in San Francisco. It was shipped to Europe in 1909 where it served as transportation for Mr. Page and his family on the continent for the next three months. Page's son, Stanley, continued with the Packard - along with two classmates - on a tour east as far as Moscow, before returning back to the US with the Packard.

The car remained in Page's possession until his death. The car was sold by his widow without coachwork to Paul Ridley. A new body was fabricated for the car and it remained in his care until 1980 when it was sold to Marshall Matthews. In 1998, it became part of the Carl J. Schmitt collection.

Ridley began a restoration of the car and Matthews completed the work. The car now has an electric starter for ease of operation.

In 2008, this Model 30 Touring Car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $300,000 - $375,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $319,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009