During the first half century of the automobile age, Packard produced the most prestigious luxury motorcars of any American manufacturer. It was the car of presidents, royalty, and super wealthy individuals of discerning tastes. Although its contemporaries in the luxury market, the Bentleys and the Duesenbergs, were typically faster and louder, the Packard offered refined sophistication, with a quiet, super smooth ride.
The Packard Motor Car Company was founded by brothers James Ward and William Doud Packard, and partner George Lewis Weiss in the city of Warren Ohio in 1899, and was originally named The Ohio Automobile Company, after the Buckeye State. In 1902, the brothers renamed the company after themselves, and installed James as president. Then, they went about proving their product on the race track, which was in those days the key to a carmaker’s reputation. The following year, the company relocated to Detroit, having hired the city’s renowned architect Albert Kahn to design their factory. At the time of its debut, the 3.5 million square foot plant covered 35 acres and was considered the most modern in the world.
As the company became less concerned with speed, and more interested in the luxury market, Packard became famous for their technical innovation. They introduced the modern steering wheel, the electric starter and electric lights, and an H-pattern sequential gearshift. 1913 was the first year of such innovations, and was the first production car with left hand drive and a fully integrated dashboard. With its six Siamese cylinder engine and updraft carburetor, the Type 38 could zoom from zero to 60 in about 30 seconds, achieving top speeds of 65 mph and a super smooth ride.
Packard placed the emphasis on elegance with buttery leather upholstery and many pounds worth of brass appointments on both sides of the hood. At a time when the average automobile cost about $400, Packard's luxury vehicles started around $2600. Maybe that's why Jay's entirely hand built Type 38, which he got from the descendants of the man who bought it in 1913, was still running when he bought it!
