1914 Packard Model 1-38

The 1899 through 1902 Packards were powered solely by single-cylinder engines, with a four-cylinder option joining the lineup in 1903. From 1904 through 1911, Packard used four-cylinder power. The first Packard six-cylinder model was the Model 1-48 which was introduced in April 1911. It was a large, 525 cubic-inch unit with a T-head design backed by a three-speed manual transmission and employing two-wheel mechanical brakes. The Model 1-38 that followed in December of 1912 was a smaller six-cylinder unit with an L-head design with cylinders cast in pairs (in three blocks of two) and developed 60 horsepower from its 415 cubic inches. It had seven main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, a Packard carburetor, and a unique design with its valves located on the right and enclosed by aluminum covers.

The Model 1-38 was the first Packard with an electric starting and left-hand drive. The electric starting feature which used a control unit attached to the steering column was courtesy of a Delco starter-generator developed by Charles Kettering. The control unit was the brainchild of chief engineer Jesse Vincent, complete with switches for the ignition, lights, and horn, an ignition lock, and mixture control for the carburetor. Mr. Vincent would later design the Twin Six and Liberty aircraft engines.

A variety of body styles were offered with most resting on a 134-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 175.2 inches. The Phaeton and Brougham body styles were slightly larger at 138 inches for the wheelbase and an overall length of 179.25 inches. The Runabout was the shortest with its wheelbase measuring 115.5 inches and its length of 156.75 inches. The runabout was the least expensive at $4,050 and the coupe was priced at $4,500. The five-passenger touring and phaeton were both $4,150. The imperial coupe listed for $4,900, the Imperial limousine at $5,400, the limousine and brougham at $5,200, and the landaulet at $5,300. Packard's other 1913 model, the Series 2-48, had a 121.5-inch wheelbase, a T-head six-cylinder engine with 82 horsepower, and was priced from $4,650 to $6,050.

The 1-38 was produced in 1913 and continued into 1914 with approximately 1,618 examples built during that time. The popularity and potential of the six-cylinder engine convinced Packard to drop the four-cylinder engine entirely.

by Dan Vaughan

Phaeton

Packard introduced the model 1-38 in December 1912. It was powered by a newly designed 'L-head' six-cylinder engine, cast-in-three blocks of two, that displaced 415 cubic inches and produced 60 horsepower. The valves were enclosed with aluminum covers and located on the right. It continued into 1914 with very few changes and was introduced as the '38' and later designated the Series 1-38.

This car was sold in late 1913 as a 1914 model and reflected the initial Packard offerings of left-hand drive and electric starting. Chief engineer Jesse Vincent attached a control unit to the steering column. On it were switches for the ignition, lights, and horn, an ignition lock, and mixture control for the carburetor. This brought most of the controls conveniently close to the driver.

This Packard Phaeton is one of twelve known survivors in all body styles. It is listed as the 137th oldest Packard. The car was once owned by Warner Brothers Studio and appeared in at least one movie.

The car was found disassembled in a barn in Texas in 1998 by its current owner. It showed less than 4,000 miles on its odometer. Packard fenders from the 1920s were with the car at the time potentially indicating that the car had been stored unmolested for over 60 years. The restored engine was started for the first time in 2011 after resting for over 90 years. The car has been used extensively in touring since restoration was completed in 2014.

This car has optional nickel finish electric lighting, self-starter, magneto ignition, and an acetylene priming device attached to the intake manifold to assist in cold weather starting.

Runabout
Chassis number: 38878
Engine number: 38878

Packards 1-38 model was introduced in December of 1912 and was the company's second six-cylinder model. Power was from an L-head engine with cylinders cast in pairs, rode on seven main bearings, and displaced 415 cubic inches, offering 60 brake horsepower. These were the first Packard cars to have left-hand drive and an electric start, with the latter being provided by a Delco starter-generator, of the type developed by engineer Charles Kettering.

The Model 1-38 had a control unit attached to the steering column. This unit was the work of chief engineer Jesse Vincent, who would later be responsible for Packard's Twin Six and Liberty aircraft engine, and it had an ignition lock; switches for the ignition, lights, and horn; and a mixture control for the carburetor. This setup placed most of the controls within easy reach for the driver, leaving the instrument panel free for instruments alone, except for a carburetor primer used for starting.

The two-passenger runabout rode on a 115-inch frame, while most of the other Model 1-38 body styles rested on a 134-inch wheelbase platform. The runabout measured nearly two feet shorter than the big cars, with comparably lightweight bodywork.

This particular Model 1-38 Runabout is one of only five known to exist. Its known history is traced back to the 1930s when it was in the care of an owner in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1950, it was sold by an owner in Kissimmee, Florida, to Oakley Sumpter, of Perryville, Missouri, for $450. At the time, the car was still in an orange grove, where it was being used as a truck. Mr. Sumpter retained the car for 35 years, after which it was acquired by restorer Wendell Ohlendorf, of Beecher, Illinois, for his client, collector Cornelius 'Konnie' Kuiper.

The car was restored by Mr. Ohlendorf and his son for Mr. Kuiper. The car retained all of its original bodywork, including the hood, fenders, and running boards, except for the sheet metal under the mother-in-law seat.

When the work was finished, the car was sold in 1997 to Michigan enthusiast John McMullen. Mr. McMullen had the car refinished by the shop of Brian Joseph, in the present color scheme of red with white striping. The front seats are in red leather, and the rear mother-in-law seat is upholstered in matching red vinyl. The top is of black canvas, with brass hardware and a deep red lining, and the twin rear-mounted spare tires have a black canvas cover. The chassis frame, suspension, and axles are all finished in the body color, as are the wheels, which are pinstriped in grey and white. The engine is painted in gloss black and has been fully detailed.

Mr. McMullen showed his Packard extensively and it won many major awards, including Best in class at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance and Best in Show at the Bay Harbor Motoring Festival. After a decade in the McMullen Collection, the car was purchased and owned for several years by another collector, John Groendyke, before coming into the care of its present owner.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer

The model 1-38, introduced in 1912, was the first Packard to have a 6-cylinder L-head engine, left-hand drive, and an electric starter - as well as all the driving controls set on the steering column in front of the driver. Jesse Vincent was the designer of this Packard, which features an early-style collapsible windshield. The car is powered by a 415 cubic-inch 60 horsepower engine. A total of 14 different body styles were offered, including this Five passenger Phaeton. Packard owners could also choose from over 40 different paint styles in a range of attractive single and two-tone color schemes, and this olive green and black is typical of the era. Restored over twenty years ago, this car is one of just nine surviving examples known to exist of the original 940 built in 1914.

James Ward Packard purchased an 1898 Winton but found it to have several shortcomings. After expressing his dissatisfaction with the vehicle, Winton suggested that Packard should try his hand at building a motorcar. Soon, Mr. Packard has his own company. Four cars were built in its first year and 47 of a new 'Model B' in 1900.

On September 10, 1900, James Packard and his brother William formed the Ohio Automobile Company in their hometown of Warren, Ohio. In 1902, the firm became known as the Packard Motor Car Company. In 1903, it moved to Detroit, where a very large modern concrete factory designed by industrial architect Albert Kahn was being built.

In 1902, Packard built two and four-cylinder cars, but it was a single-cylinder car that bettered Winton's coast-to-coast record in 1903, with driver Tom Fetch in 'Old Pacific.' Other notable Packard competitions included the Vanderbilt Cup Races and sand racing at Ormond Beach in Florida.

In 1907, Packard introduced the Model 30, helping to establish Packard was one of the premier builders of luxury cars.

In April of 1911, Packard introduced its first six, a very large 525 cubic-inch T-head. It was designated the Model 48 for its rated horsepower. The engine developed 74 bhp at 1720 RPM and Packard advertised that it would achieve '60 miles per hour in 30 seconds from a standing start.' A Bosch dual ignition system was used, along with Packard's unique float-feed carburetor with automatic mixture control. Prices started at $5,000 and ranged upward to $6,550. There were thirteen body styles available on wheelbases that ranged from 121.5 to 139 inches. The car was an instant success, with 1,350 examples sold in its first year of production.

Packard introduced a smaller six, the Model 38, in December of 1912. The engine had an L-head design with cylinders cast-in-pairs and displaced 415 cubic inches, had seven main bearings, and developed 60 bhp. The Model 38 was Packard's first car to have left-hand drive and electric starting, the latter from a Delco starter-generator of the type developed by Charles Kettering. The electrical system had a control unit attached to the steering column. This design was the work of chief engineer Jesse Vincent, who would later design the Twin Six and Liberty aircraft engines. The control unit had switches for the ignition, lights and horn, an ignition lock, and mixture control for the carburetor.

The Model 38 sold for $4,050 to $5,400. Most of the 13 body styles had a 134-inch platform. The Phaeton and Brougham styles rested on a 138-inch chassis while the runabout and two coupes had a shorter, 115.5-inch frame. The Touring was the most popular Model 38 body style, and the only one to open style on the intermediate wheelbase. The other intermediate cars were the limousine, Landaulets, and 'Cabette.'

In 1913, there were over 1600 examples of the Model 38 (latterly called the '1-38' or '1338') that were constructed, and nearly 700 '2-38s' in 1914. This overwhelming success convinced Packard to drop its line of four-cylinder cars.

For 1915, Packard produced the 3-38 Six, which featured an increase of five horsepower. The company offered the car in two-dozen body styles all riding on a 140-inch platform. The 3-38 was sold alongside the 5-48 for 1915. The total production for 1915 was 360 vehicles.

In 1916, Packard introduced its legendary Twin-Six models.

by Dan Vaughan