A2-05-1907 Packard 30 Runabout
Steve Adler, New Vernon New Jersey
Info from the 2024 Field Guide of the Pebble Beach Concours d Elegance.
“The Packard 30 was a powerful and majestic automobile with a four-cylinder, 432 cu. in. engine. This example (chassis 3924), with original Runabout coachwork, was delivered new to William Sweatt of City Mills, Massachusetts. In 1940, the car was acquired by Rod Blood, and esteemed collector, and it is said this was a favorite among his more than 30 Packards. Equipped from new with unusual double horns ( for passenger and driver), in addition to the standard yet opulent brass lights and fixture, this passed through the hands of several prestigious collectors while remaining in the Northeast for it’s entire life. Now over 117 years old, this Packard 30 is a quintessential representative of the Brass Era and one of the best examples in existence.”
Additional info from www.conceptcarz-dot-com
The Packard Electric Company of Warren Ohio, was a pioneer in the electrical cable, and electrical devices manufacturing including the Carbon Arc Lamp.
Founded in 1890 by the Packard brothers, they earned enough money to buy a Winton Automobile, and a story that is repeated throughout the history of the Car, they were dissatisfied with the Winton and offered the builder Alexander Winton some constructive critism. They were challenged to build a better car. The Packard brothers finished their first car was completed in November 1899 and a year later, The Ohio Automobile Company was incorporated. Renamed the Packard Motor Car Company in 1902, then moved to Detroit in 1903. Approximately 400 automobiles were built at the Warren, Ohio-based factory from 1899 until 1903.
-Packard solely produced four-cylinder models from 1903 until 1912; a six-cylinder model was part of the company’s lineup from 1913 until 1947.
-Packard displayed an automobile at New York City’s first automobile show in 1903.
-A 1902 Packard Model F with a single cylinder 12 horsepower engine with automatic ignition advance and 3-speed sliding gear transmission was driven from San Francisco to New York in 1903, taking 53 days to complete the transcontinental trip.
-The Model Thirty was introduced in 1907 and was the first Packard to indicate its engine power in the model name, as previous Packard Models were identified by letters.
-Truck production commenced in 1903, making Packard one of the first companies to produce internal combustion powered trucks as a separate and distinct line.
-The 1907 Packard Model Thirty
The Model Thirty was Packard’s only model offered in 1907; the Model Eighteen joined the Model Thirty in 1909 and both would remain in production through 1912. The Model Eighteen was more affordable than its sibling, with prices that were approximately $1,000 less. It had a similar catalog of body styles but was built on a shorter wheelbase and powered by a smaller, 265.7 cubic-inch inch engine rated at its namesake – 18 horsepower.
