1920 Packard Twin Six 3-35

Packard quickly established a reputation as the maker of one of the world's finest motorcars, reinforced by a string of well-engineered and well-constructed models since its inception in 1899. Originally located in Warren, Ohio, the company blossomed when it moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1905. That same year, its one-cylinder and two-cylinder mid-engine machines were replaced by more refined four-cylinder models. The four-cylinder Model 30 followed in 1907, offering greater performance and many improvements over the preceding models. The valves were larger, the front wheels used ball, instead of roller bearings, and the valve chambers and cylinder tops now had a flat top instead of the previous dome. The 431.9 CID T-head four-cylinder engine had solid valve lifters, three main bearings, and delivered 30 horsepower at 650 RPM. Despite the impressive performance of the Model 30, Packard soldiered on with a new six-cylinder car for 1912.

Initially, Packard's six was known simply as the 'Six,' later taking the '48' as its name. Cast in three blocks of two, the T-head six displaced 525 cubic inches, used four main bearings, had mechanical valve lifters, and delivered 74 horsepower at 1,7200 RPM.

With sights set on pushing the envelope further, engineer Jessee Vincent worked on a new twelve-cylinder model. Packard harnessed its experience and expertise gained through building v-type aircraft and marine engines to help overcome the numerous obstacles and challenges with producing such an engine at the time. Competition from other marques was relentless, inspiring Packard at every turn. Cadillac introduced a 314.5 CID V-8 engine in 1915, delivering 70 horsepower at 2,400 RPM. It was hoped that Packard's new twelve-cylinder engine would place it at the forefront of the world's auto manufacturers.

As 1915 was coming to a close, production began on a new model christened the 'Twin Six.' It was smooth and powerful, with two cast iron blocks of six, an L-head configuration, a Packard pressure-feed carburetor, and three main bearings. It displaced 424.1 cubic inches and delivered 88 horsepower at 2,600 RPM. Wheelbase sizes of 125- and 136-inches were offered, and body styles ranged from 2 to 7 passengers, from coupes to limousines, and from Broughams to Phaetons. The 125-inch platform grew to 126 inches in 1917, then to 128 the following year.

The V-12 engine would be the sole Packard powerplant from 1916 through 1921 when it was joined by the Single Six, a more economical alternative to its larger 12-cylinder sibling.

The 128-inch platform was phased out in 1919, with a final example being built in 1920. The larger 136-inch platform continued through 1923. Body styles in 1920 included a seven-passenger sedan, Duplex Sedan, Tourer, and Limousine. There was also a five-passenger phaeton, coupe, and Duplex Coupe, and a four-passenger Runabout. Prices ranged from $5,500 to $8,000. Prices would continue to decrease over the next few years due to the postwar recession.

The 424.1 cubic-inch V-12 engine now developed 90 horsepower at 2,600 RPM. New this year was a 'Fuelizer' that incorporated a spark plug in the intake manifold to aid in vaporizing the gasoline. The engine was backed by a three-speed selective-sliding transmission with multiple disc clutch and spiral bevel gears. Stopping power was provided by mechanical brakes on the rear wheels. Packard produced 5,193 examples of its Twin Six in 1920, followed by 1,310 in 1921 and 1,944 the following year. In 1923, the final year of the Twin Six, a total of 303 examples were constructed.

In 1924, Packard introduced eight-cylinder models and four-wheel brakes. Wheelbase options included a 136- and 143-inch platform. The eight-cylinder model would be the only option offered by Packard until the Twin Six model was introduced at the New York Auto Show in January of 1932. This was Packard's entry in the multi-cylinder race, ignited by Cadillac with its V16 and V12 models. Packard Twin Six was a twelve-cylinder model with a 67-degree V-block, a cast iron monoblock, aluminum alloy pistons, four main bearings, a Stromberg-Duplex carburetor, and produced 160 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan

Dual-Winshield Phaeton

This Packard was a 'one-off' dual windshield Phaeton built on a twin-six V-12 chassis. In 1940, Brooks Stevens purchased the car from the original owner, through his friend James Melton, and kept it until his death. The current owners purchased the car from Brooks Stevens estate in 1997 and subsequently had a full ground-up restoration completed

The car is powered by a 424.1 cubic-inch 12-cylinder engine that offers 90 horsepower. There is a Packard Downdraft with a Fuelizer carburetor, a wheelbase that measures 136 inches, and seating for five passengers.

In 1920, Packard produced 5,193 cars.

Tourer
Chassis number: 160466
Engine number: 160466

Since the company's inception in 1899, the Packard Motor Car Company established its reputation as the maker of one of the world's finest motorcars. Originally founded in Warren, Ohio, the company moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1905. Also in 1905, the company moved away from one and two-cylinder mid-engine machines to four-cylinder offerings. In 1907, the company introduced its four-cylinder Model 30.

A new six-cylinder car was introduced in 1912. It was initially known as just that - the Six, later being called 'the 48' as its name.

Under the leadership of engineer Jesse Vincent, a twelve-cylinder engine was introduced. By late 1915, production began on the model dubbed the 'Twin Six.'

This particular Touring car is a Model 3-35 Twin Six. It has been driven just 8,000 miles that remains in highly original condition. It is finished in black and Packard blue over straw wheels. There is an aluminum dashboard that houses all the original instruments and equipment.

The engine is a 424 cubic-inch V12 fitted with a single carburetor and offers 88 horsepower. There is a three-speed transmission and rear-mechanical brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout

Packard introduced their new 6-cylinder car in 1912, and it was called 'The Six.' Later, under the leadership of engineer Jesse Vincent, a 12-cylinder engine was introduced, which by late 1915 was dubbed the 'Twin Six.' The V12 engine was comprised of two 6-cylinder blocks set at a 60-degree angle linked by an aluminum crankcase. It was a side-valve design that displaced a total of 424 cubic inches and produced 88 horsepower. There were 7,746 examples of the Packard Twin Six sold in its introductory year, with figures increasing to 8,899 in 1917.

The Packard Twin Six was the first twelve-cylinder engine put into series production anywhere in the world. It made history from the day it was born and continued to do so from the spring of 1915 when it was introduced until June 1923 when it was discontinued. The first automobile to carry a U.S. president to his inauguration was the Twin Six which Warren Harding rode in 1921. In all, 35,000 people purchased one leaving Packard a legacy that would far outlast the storied company from East Grand Avenue.

This 1920 Packard Twin Six is a Model 3-35, a four-passenger rumble seat roadster built on a 136-inch wheelbase. 1920 was the first year that Packard made a factory body, and this car is the earliest known Packard with this body style. It was put away in a barn in Michigan in the early 1950s and remained untouched until 2012. The car still had its original paint and interior when the current owner purchased it in 2013, but it was sadly too far gone to preserve and the decision was made to fully restore the car using as many of the original parts as possible.

Transformable Town Car by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 160326

This 1920 Packard 3-35 Twin Six Transformable Town Car by Fleetwood was originally owned by A. Atwater Kent. He ordered it in 1919 and it was delivered the following year after it was displayed at the 1920 New York Auto Salon. It uses a 145-inch wheelbase platform which was nine inches longer than standard and also hood higher and longer than standard. The bumpers are steel with a rubber casing and there is a collapsible top, disc wheels, and drum headlamps.

The Packard was later acquired by Stanley Tarnopol of Philadelphia who kept it until at least 1975. It has remained part of the present collection for around three decades.

It is believed the car was given a restoration during the early 1960s. It wears rich black lacquer with red-orange wheels, wool cloth upholstery, and rich woodwork in the rear compartment.

by Dan Vaughan

Transformable Town Car by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 160326

The Packard Twin Six was the first twelve-cylinder engine put into series production anywhere in the world. 35,000 were produced between its spring 1915 introduction and it being discontinued in June 1923. This special 12-cylinder Packard was reportedly built for A. Atwater Kent. Kent's excellent radios and automobile ignition components made he and his family a fortune. In the Winter 1927 issue of Packard's magazine, he was recounted as owning

'. . . probably the largest fleet of Packards, 19.' Bodied by Fleetwood, the Town Car rides a specially prepared chassis of 145 inches – 9 inches longer than standard; a raised hood, rubber-encased steel bumpers, a collapsible convertible roof, drum headlamps and disc wheels. Prior to delivery, the car is believed to have been featured at the 1920 New York Auto Salon, as seen by a virtually identical example pictured in that year's catalogue.

Designed with a 60-degree V, a 3-inch bore, and a 5-inch stroke giving 424 cubic inch displacement, the Packard Twin Six was the first true production V-12 automobile engine.

The Liberty aircraft was based, in part, on the Twin Six automobile engine Jesse Vincent designed in 1915. Vincent spent three years developing a series of experimental 12-cylinder racecar engines based on the Twin Six, which was ultimately intended for aircraft use.

The Packard Twin Six was produced from 1915 - 1923. The name 'Twin Six' would be revived years later eventually becoming known as the Packard 'Twelve'.

There were 7,746 examples of the Packard Twin Six sold in 1916, its introductory year, with figures increasing to 8,899 in 1917. This was an amazing accomplishment considering the relatively high starting price of $2,600 that these luxury cars demanded.

The V-12 engine was comprised of two six-cylinder cars-iron blocks set at a 60-degree angle and rested atop an aluminum crankcase. It was a side-valve design that displaced a total of 424 cubic inches and produced 88 horsepower. The pistons were made from lightweight aluminum alloy and there was full-pressure lubrication which aided in the longevity of the engine.

The engine, clutch, and gearbox were a single unit and replaced Packard's earlier design of having the transaxle mounted on the rear axle. Packard was one of the first to use this type of drivelines. This setup reduced unsprung weight of the rear axle, improved ride and handling, and provided more reliability and rigidity.

The technological improvements continued for 1917 with Packard introducing a redesigned Twin Six with a separate cylinder block and head castings. The aluminum pistons now had two compression rings and an oil scraper. Also, the intake and exhaust manifolds were redesigned. Even with these improvements, the horsepower rating remained at 88, although the rated RPM figure dropped from 3000 to 2600.

by Dan Vaughan

The Packard Twelve was produced from 1933 to 1939 with over 35,000 examples produced. It is considered by many to be one of the finest automobiles produced by Packard and one of the most significant creations of the classic car era. The long and flowing front hood hid a 445 cubic-inch side-valve twelve-cylinder engine that was refined, powerful, smooth, and quiet.

The engine was originally destined for a front-wheel drive project which eventually proved to have weaknesses. That and the anticipated development cost were too much to be practical so Packard decided to scrap the idea. Cadillac had introduced their 16-cylinder engine and other marques such as Pierce-Arrow were improving the performance of their offerings. Packard was feeling the pressure and decided to place the engine into the Deluxe Eight Chassis and dubbed it the Twin Six. The name was in honor of Packard's achievement fifteen years earlier when they introduced their first 12-cylinder engine. By 1933 the name was changed to Twelve to be in line with the rest of the Packard models.

Most of the Packard production Twelve's received factory bodies. Only a handful received custom coachwork by such greats as LeBaron and Dietrich.

In 1935 Packard introduced more horsepower and mechanical improvements. The suspension became more plush and comfortable while the steering became easier to operate. The cars were designed and built as one unit including the fenders, running boards, hood, and body.

1936 was the final year for 17-inch wire wheels and double-blade bumpers with hydraulic dampers.

by Dan Vaughan