1906 Packard Model S

James Ward Packard founded the Packard Motor Company in 1989. By 1906, the company offered the Model S, also known as the 24 - for its horsepower, and was available as a Tourer, Limousine, Landaulet, Victoria, and Runabout. The wheelbase measured 119 inches except for the Runabout which measured 108 inches. Power was from a T-head four-cylinder engine displacing 349.9 cubic inches and offering 24 horsepower. This was the first of the Packard T-heads, and it was the first use of magneto jump spark ignition.

The Model S superseded the 1905 Model N, which had a 266 cubic-inch inline-4 developing 28 horsepower at 900 RPM. The 1906 Model S was the only model available from Packard that year and just 728 examples were built. The Model S was larger, roomier, and more comfortable than the Model N. The inline-4 made prolific use of aluminum and its cylinders were made in France by a leading metallurgical firm and machined by Packard in Detroit. To improve breathability, the intake and exhaust valves were arranged on opposite sides of the cylinders with each side actuated by its owner camshaft flaking the nickel steel crank.

The Model N's three-point suspension was replaced with a semi-elliptical leaf spring setup. Mechanical brakes could be found at all four corners along with artillery-style spoked wheels fitted with 4-inch front and 4.5-inch rear tires.

Inside, the Model S had diamond-tufted leather seats and ample luggage space.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016