1926 Packard Six

Packard automobiles were highly competitive amongst the higher-priced luxury American-built automobiles, and the company was commonly referred to as being on the 'Three P's of American motordom royalty, along with Pierce-Arrow of Buffalo, New York, and Peerless of Cleveland, Ohio. Along with its U.S.-based operations, its business dealings reached beyond the seas and to other markets in 61 countries. During the 1920s, Packard exported more cars than any other in its price class, and in 1930, sold nearly twice as many abroad as any other marque priced over $2,000. In fact, in 1931, ten Packards were owned by Japan's royal family. Their reputation for precision, attention to detail, and craftsmanship allowed them to manufacture the Rolls-Royce Merline engine under license during World War II, the only company allowed to do so outside of Rolls-Royce themselves.

Prior to 1916, Packard models were mostly powered by four- or six-cylinder engines. 1916 was the first year of the Packard Twin Six model powered by a 60-degree V-12 engine comprised of two cast-iron blocks of six, three main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and a Packard pressure-feed carburetor. The following year, the engine received detachable cylinder heads and further engineering refinements that included the removal of the thermostat from the block to the upper tank of the radiator. The twelve-cylinder model was the only option offered by Packard from 1916 until the introduction of the Single Six in September of 1920.

The Single Six benefitted from the company's development during World War I on the Liberty aero engine. It used an L-head design, with a 241.5 cubic-inch displacement, seven main bearings, a Packard-updraft carburetor with Fuelizer, and developed 52 horsepower at 2,400 RPM. The Fuelizer had been introduced on the Packard Twelve to insure complete combustion of the low-grade gasoline, eliminating the potential of unburned fuel deteriorating the lubrication from the cylinder wall, resulting in scoring damage. Additionally, it aided in cold-weather starting. The engine used a cast aluminum crankcase and oil pan attached to the cast-iron cylinder block, allowing for the easy removal of the oil pan. Its 52 horsepower was similar to the previous Packard six used prior to Six employed prior to 1916, but it had nearly half the displacement and weight, so its power-to-weight ratio was much greater and more efficient.

The engine was backed by a selective three-speed transmission initially with a seven-plate, eight-inch clutch. Engineering improvements soon resulted in a nine-plate clutch along with a slight boost in power to 54 horsepower. Wheelbase lengths initially included a short 116-inch platform which was soon dropped, and a 126- and 133-inch version which proved better suited to the client's needs and aesthetic prowess.

While the Single Six had been intended to offer customers a more affordable alternative to the Twin Six, its development had been expensive, resulting in its base price being similar to the Twin Six. Wheelbase sizes were shorter than the Twelve, resulting in boxy designs that were not as flowing or elegant as its larger stablemates.

The Twin Six was discontinued in 1923, and a single Eight was introduced in 1924 along with four-wheel brakes. The Six and Eight would continue as Packard's sole model lineup until 1929 when the Six was dropped and only the Eight remained. It would be joined in 1932 by a twelve-cylinder model.

The 1927 Packard Fourth Series Six was comprised of the Model 426 and the 433. The '4' in the 426 and 433 represented the 4th series, and the 26 was for its 126-inch wheelbase. The '33' was for the 133-inch wheelbase. Both the six and eight-cylinder engines received numerous engineering improvements resulting in boosts in power. The Fuelizer was discontinued in mid-1926, a turbo head combustion chamber was added, along with a larger bore, revised manifold, and aluminum pistons. The six-cylinder engine now developed 80 horsepower and the transmission gained a two-plat clutch and hypoid differential.

Most of the body styles rested on the longer 133-inch platform, with only the sedan, phaeton, and roadster resting on the shorter wheelbase. Prices ranged from $2,585 to $2,885 for the Six and $3,750 to $5,100 for the Eight.

The total model year production of the 426, introduced in mid-1926, was 14,401 units. 10,934 of the 433 were produced. Packard introduced its Fifth Series (526, 533) Six in July of 1927 and these would be the final six-cylinder Packards until 1937.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2020