October 11th 2015 Premier Automobile Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/10/2015
•One of just 1,403 Packards produced for 1907.•Former AACA Award Winner including Preservation Award in 2011.•Photo documentation of restoration as well as receipts.•Older restoration that presents well.•Magnificent Brass Era car perfect for touring.Packard first introduced its Model 30 in August of 1906. The company claimed that the car underwent more than 50,000 test miles before being introduced to the public. The test car was nicknamed “Gasoline Gus” and in one test, Gus covered 606 miles of Michigan’s sandy roads in one day with NO repairs or adjustments with the exception of replacing one tire. The test run became a world’s record and Packard capitalized on it with a special brochure titled The Flight of the Thirty. Other publicized tests followed with “Hiram” the 1908 test car starting in early 1907. The Model 30 was essentially a refinement of its predecessor, the Model 24 and was advertised as longer, lower, and larger (long before a similar mantra became commonplace). Indeed, it did have a 124-inch wheelbase – 3 inches more than the Twenty Four. Much of the new length was comprised of the longer aluminum hood. Fenders were newly styled and the motor and radiator were moved further back into the chassis for better balance and weight distribution. With the new car also came a new engine. The redesigned T-head four-cylinder featured a 431.9 cubic inch displacement and was rated 30hp @ 650rpm under the French system (more like 50-60hp under the NACC system that would be later adopted). Packard produced 1,403 motorcars for 1907. The original owner of this Packard is unknown. Documented ownership history begins with the presumed second owner, Albert Wood of Wyckoff, New Jersey. Wood transferred ownership on September 30, 1959 to Leonard Davis of Pontiac, Michigan. Davis then sold the car to the current owner on January 6, 1970. Copies of the titles are included in the sale. Despite having sold the car, Davis was contracted to perform a six-year restoration for the new owner. Following the comprehensive renewal, the Packard received its AACA First Junior award at the 1976 National Spring Meet in Topeka, Kansas and its Senior award four years later in June of 1980. Ironically, it received an AACA Preservation Award in Illinois in September 2011 (31 years later) attesting to the quality of the restoration and care the Packard received in subsequent years. Several photos document the restoration in-progress along with an extensive journal which includes bills and receipts for work completed on the car. These are included in the sale of the vehicle to be passed on to the new owner. It is painted Maroon with gold striping and along with the stunning brass trim, it makes for quite a striking appearance. It will no doubt be the hit of any PAC, HCCA, or AACA meet at which it will appear as well as make for a spectacular Brass Era car perfect for long-distance tours. It runs and drives nicely. Offered at no reserve.