1901 Packard Model C

This innovative little vehicle was one of the earliest automobile creations of the great James Ward Packard. The quality is remarkable and features a steering wheel in a time when most other marques were still using a tiller. This example is the fourth oldest Packard in existence.

In 1901 a race from New York to Buffalo was scheduled to test the reliability and speed of 89 entrants, five were Packards. The race was never finished due to cancellation after President McKinley was assassinated. At the time of cancellation, only four-one cars were still in the running including the five Packards.

This example came with a 183.8 cubic-inch engine capable of producing 12 horsepower. Its body style is Runabout with a removable dos-a-dos rear seat, sits atop a 76-inch wheelbase, and could be purchased from the factory for $1500.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009