1918 Packard Twin Six

The Packard Motor Company was founded in 1899 and was originally located in Warren, Ohio before moving in 1905 to Detroit, Michigan. Their first four-cylinder Model 30 was introduced in 1907 followed by a six-cylinder car in 1912. By 1915 the company had established its reputation as the maker of one of the world's finest motorcars. However, the market was full of stiff competition, including Cadillac which had introduced the first mass-produced V-8 engine for its 1915 models. Packard responded with the first series-production V-12. It was presented for the 1916 model year and remained in production until 1923, then returned for 1932. The engine in the Twin Six was nearly seven liters, with a single carburetor, and was renowned for its smooth acceleration in high gear. The engine was placed into a chassis that was an evolution of Packard's previous models. The engine was mated to a smooth-shifting three-speed transaxle and there were rear mechanical brakes.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019