1916 Packard Twin Six Racer Boattail Racer

Brothers James and William Packard founded the Ohio Automobile Company in Warren in 1900. Sales rose quickly, and by 1902, their company's name was changed to Packard Motor Company. Packard soon became widely regarded as a premier American make. In 1911 the new Packard 'Six' was launched. In May of 1915, the engine was doubled into a common crankshaft to become Packard's greatest innovation: the new 'Twin Six' for 1916 models which was the first production V-12 engine. Designed by Packard VP and Chief Engineer Jesse Vincent, it remained in production into 1923 influencing many future V-12 designers and the famed 'Liberty' aircraft engine. Another innovative feature was placement of the 3-speed transmission behind the flywheel rather than conventional mounting to the differential, a novel concept at the time.

During 1916, Packard built two special racing cars that were driven by Italian immigrant Ralph DePalma. With interests in manufacturing aircraft engines, the first was the '905 Special' (905 CID Packard Liberty engine). The second was the much lighter '299 Special' with the 'Twin Six.' The first Packard V-12 displaced 424 CID producing 85 horsepower at an astonishing, for the time, 3000 RPM. With production cars being highly profitable, Packard experimented with many engines, and it is thought, built this 'special' with a 299 CID engine for the 5-liter formula emerging at the time. During 1920, this Packard was shipped to Argentina and then raced throughout South America. It was found, amazingly intact in Paraguay and subsequently restored to its current form with the larger 424 engine.

This Packard race car is believed to be the first Packard racing vehicle ever imported into Argentina. It competed quite successfully, winning several titles, including the 'Championship of the Mile' in 1920 and 1921. The car set a national speed record of 166.666 kilometers per hour, which stood until 1929. The car was retired in the late 1920s and was stored in several locations in Paraguay until its discovery by the current owner in the 1990s. When discovered, the car was amazingly intact, retaining most of its original and unique racing components. This racer was most likely built by the Packard Experimental Department to showcase their new 424 cubic-inch Twin Six power plant.