1912 Packard Model Thirty

Packard introduced its Model 30 in August 1906 and proudly proclaimed that the car underwent over 50,000 test miles before being introduced to the public. The test car was nicknamed 'Gasoline Gus' and in one test, Gus covered 606 miles of Michigan's sandy roads in one day with NO repairs or adjustments with the exception of replacing one tire. This test run became a world record and Packard capitalized on it with a special brochure titled The Flight of the Thirty.

The Packard Model 30 was an evolution - a refinement - of the preceding Model 24 and was advertised as longer, lower, and larger. Its wheelbase measured 124 inches which were three inches longer than the Twenty Four, and much of its greater length was comprised of the longer aluminum hood. A shorter, 108-inch platform was reserved for the runabout body style - the touring sedan, limousine, and landaulet rested on the larger platform. The motor and radiator were positioned farther back in the chassis for better weight distribution and balance, and the styling of the fenders was new. The 431.9 cubic-inch T-head four-cylinder engine had been redesigned and developed 30 horsepower at 650 RPM, under the French system. Using the NACC system that was later adopted, the engine produced approximately 50 to 60 horsepower. The engine was paired with a three-speed manual transmission with shaft drive, and rear-wheel drum brakes provided the stopping power. The suspension used a live tubular rear axle with three-quarter-elliptical springs while the front used an I-Beam straight axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Wooden wheels were placed at all four corners.

The Packard Model 30 proved very popular for the company with 1,403 examples being produced in 1907. This was also the year that Packard changed the model designation from letters to engine horsepower. Prices for the open coachwork began at $4,200 and rose to $5,500 for the limousine and $5,600 for the landaulet.

The Packard Model 30 was the last of the vehicles built with right-hand drive configuration and an engine of 'only' four cylinders. Production continued through 1912 with 9,540 examples produced during its lifespan including 1,250 in 1912. The Model 30's position as the company's top-of-the-line model was replaced by the Twin Six.

Standard Model 30 equipment included a tool kit, an air-pressure gauge, an oil lamp, two extra demountable rims, and a speedometer.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout
Chassis number: 20594

This 1912 Packard Model 30 Runabout was in the care of noted Packard collector Roderic Blood of West Newton, Massachusetts. Blood serves as president of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America from 1942 through 1944. After Blood's death, the car was put up for auction. The winning bid went to William Harrah. It was also the highest sale at the auction. Subsequent owners include Bill Winslow and Fred Weber. It has been in its current owner's possession since 1991.

This car is the only 1912 Model 30 Runabout known to be in authentic condition. 1912 was the final year for the T-head four.

This car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $550,000 - $650,000. This was one of the few cars of the auction not to find new ownership. Bidding reached $500,000 but was not enough to clear the vehicle's reserve.

by Dan Vaughan

Racer
Chassis number: 20711

The first Packard was built in 1899 by the Ohio Automobile Company, later named the Packard Motor Car Company in 1902.

In 1903, Packard built its first race car, the 'Gray Wolf.' It was a lightweight and aerodynamic car powered by a 275 cubic-inch engine delivering 25 horsepower at 1000 RPM. Designed and driven by French engineer Charles Schmidt, its debut was in 1903 at races and speed trials and the Eastern U.S.

Packard continued to build race cars on and off for 30 years. Carl Fisher, a Packard Dealer in Indianapolis, was one of the four founders of the Indy Speedway, resulting in several cars participating in the Indy 500 over the years. The company fell on hard times after purchasing the Studebaker car company in 1954 and was gone by 1962.

This car was found in Argentina in the 1950s still in racing configuration. It is not known if this car was shipped to Argentina as a racecar, or converted into one there. It likely would not have survived the scrap metal drives of World War II if it had stayed in the United States.

It was shipped back to the U.S. shortly after its discovery where it resided in a shed, disassembled, in Southern California while the owner spent 50 years searching for parts to restore it as a touring car. It is now restored as it raced and is thought to be the oldest surviving Packard race car in existence.

Tourer
Chassis number: 21099

In 1907 Packard introduced their Model 30, which would remain in production until around 1912. Very few Model 30s are known to exist, and this is believed to be the only remaining example with seven-passenger coachwork. Its second owner was Phil Hill who, while still racing sports cars all over the world, indulged his passion for car restoration. He and Bob Mosier restored this car between 1969 and 1972. Phil showed it for the first time at Pebble Beach in 1976, and it won its class - and it won its class again at Pebble Beach in 1999. It is still owned and enjoyed by the Hill family.

Phil Hill was a legendary race car driver, but lesser known was his passion for collecting and restoring vehicles. He had enthusiasm, knowledge, and love for the early American car which led to Best in Class and Best of Show wins at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

In 1966, Mr. Hill purchased this 1912 Packard Model 30 Seven-Passenger Touring at auction, from the Rod Blood collection. It was an original and complete vehicle making it the perfect candidate for restoration. Working from his garage in Santa Monica, Phil completed the car with Ken Vaughn and Bob Moser as his apprentice.

Initially completed as a rolling chassis, the Model 30 was displayed at a Packard Club event. Afterward, the car was finished and the Seven-Passenger Touring was then shown at numerous concours events, including the 1973 and 1999 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won Best in Class. In 2013, the Phil Hill family was invited to return to Pebble Beach with the Model 30. After participating in the Tour d'Elegance, the 1912 Packard went on to win its class for the third time.

The engine is a 431.9 cubic-inch T-head four-cylinder unit that offers 30 horsepower and is mated to a three-speed manual transaxle. There are 2-wheel mechanical brakes with an I-Beam straight axle in the front and a live tubular axle.

Brougham

Packard Motor Company displayed its first car at America's first National Automobile Show, held in 1900 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. By the time this Model 30 Brougham was built, Packard was operating the world's largest car factory, covering 14 acres and employing 3,200 people. The Model 30, introduced in 1907, was an immediate success with over 1,300 sold in the first year.

This example has a T-head, 4-cylinder 431.9 cubic-inch engine delivering 30 horsepower and driving the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission mounted in the rear. It is one of the last 4-cylinder Packards built. Very few are known to exist today, and this is believed to be the only remaining example with closed coachwork.

The slogan 'Ask The Man Who Owns One' is one of the most famous in American History. It was the response given to most individuals when asked about a Packard. They were reliable, elegant, powerful, and quality automobiles. Their attention to detail and ingenuity were some of the key factors in making the company successful.

The Packard legend began in 1898 when James Ward Packard, a mechanical engineer, purchased a Winton. The Winton automobiles were good automobiles but the one that Packard had purchased had many flaws and broke down on its first road trip. Packard returned the vehicle to Winton and voiced his displeasure. Winton challenged Packard to build a better product. James and his brother William Dowd Packard began immediately building a vehicle. A year later their first car, a one-cylinder, was introduced. They built four more cars that year, and the following year, in 1900, they produced 47 of a Model B under the name New York and Ohio Company, a subsidiary of the brothers' Packard Electric Company, manufacturers of transformers and electric lighting equipment. The cars were simple yet durable. They featured a single-cylinder engine mounted under the seat and attached to a two-speed planetary transmission and chain drive.

On September 10th of 1900 the Ohio Automobile Company, based in Warren, Ohio, was formed. In 1903 the name was changed to the Packard Motor Car Company when it moved from Warren, Ohio to Detroit, Michigan. The move was the result of a majority stock purchase made by investors in the Detroit area.

In 1907 Packard introduced its Model 30 which would remain in production until the early 1910s. It was called the Model 30 because of its 30-horsepower engine. By T-head four-cylinder unit displaced 431.9 cubic inches and powered the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission mounted in the rear.

The Model 30 was a very important car for Packard and was a top seller for many years, even after it was joined by a smaller Model 18 in 1909.

In 1908 Packard extended and enlarged the wheelbase and fitted them with 36-inch wheels. The results of this revised Model 30 were designated UA. There were additional body styles such as a close-coupled tourer and a victoria, and windshields were optional equipment. Packard made another bold claim in 1909 by touting this Model 30 UB as 'The Masterpiece of the Largest Exclusive Motor Car Factory in the World.' The claims were justified as Packard was the largest exclusive motor car factory in the world with its floor-space that extended 14 acres and their payroll had 3,200 employees.

In 1909 founder James Ward Packard's presidency was passed on the Henry Joy.

In 1910 the Model 30 UC was introduced. The list of new body styles included a phaeton and a four-passenger tourer. Mechanical improvements included a dry-ply clutch which replaced the expansion ring unit.

In 1911 the success continued with the Model 30-UD. A coupe and a brougham were new body styles, replacing the landaulet and demi-limousine. The six-cylinder cars were the big news for the year with production models designated as 1912.

The final year of the Model 30 saw significant changes. The wheelbase was lengthened providing even more luxurious accommodations for its passengers. Side curtains were now standard. The ride and handling were enhanced with improved shock absorbers. In the front were 37 x 5 tires and 36x4.5 in the rear. A spare tire of each size could be found on the right running board.

by Dan Vaughan

The Packard Motor Company displayed its first motor carriage in 1900, at the first New York City auto show. Three years later, the Packard's had improved significantly and their reliability was greatly increased. A 1902 Model F fitted with a Packard single-cylinder 12 horsepower engine and automatic ignition advance made the transcontinental trip from San Francisco to New York in 53 days.

In 1907, Packard introduced their first model to have its name indicate its engine power. It was the Model 30. The Packard Model 30 was powered by a newly-designed T-head four-cylinder engine that was capable of producing 40 horsepower under the ALAM system. The engine had a 5-inch bore and a long 5.5-inch stroke. It displaced 432 cubic inches and was advertised as making 30 brake horsepower.

The new engine was designed to carry the long, large, and heavy coach-bodys which were becoming more popular with the wealthy. The engine, itself, required a longer wheelbase chassis to accommodate its size. The drive was through an unusual expanding band clutch with a three-speed transmission to a live rear axle. This setup was in favor of the prior configuration of transverse leaf springs which had been abandoned the previous year with the Model S. Now, the front and rear were given semi-elliptical leaf springs. Redundant braking on the rear wheels was provided by both expanding shoe and contracting band brakes.

During its introductory year, over 1,300 examples were sold. It was an immediate success for the Packard Company. It was a very versatile vehicle, offered in two-wheelbase sizes and several body styles to accommodate a diverse clientele. The Touring, Limousine, and Landaulette coachwork rode on a 122-inch wheelbase while the Sporting Runabout and Gentleman's Roadster rode atop a shorter 108-inch wheelbase.

by Dan Vaughan