October 11th 2015 Premier Automobile Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/10/2015
•One of just 802 Model 18’s produced for 1909.•Originally owned by Mrs. Pratt of Pratt & Whitney aircraft fame.•Believed to be a four-owner car from new.•Includes many vintage photographs.•In current ownership for 55+ years. In 1909 a decade passed since the first Packard rolled out of the Warren, Ohio factory. Quickly, Packard materialized into one of America’s most prestigious automobiles. Prior to 1909 Packard had been a single-model company, buoyed by its successful Model 30. However, starting with 1909, the firm produced not only the Thirty, but also the new Eighteen. Trucks were added to the lineup, too. In total, Packard produced 3,106 cars and 110 trucks in 1909. The Model 18 introduced in the summer of 1908 (all were considered 1909’s) was the little brother to Packard’s big Model 30. It was offered in five body configurations in an attempt to bring Packard quality to a slightly lower-priced market. Its popular designation was Model 18, but it was officially called the Model NA or 18-NA. Two wheelbases were available including a Runabout on a 102-inch chassis and four additional configurations on a 112-inch chassis. The Runabout and Touring car were both priced at $3,200.00; the Landaulet at $4,900.00; a Limousine at $4,300.00; and a Demi-Limousine which was introduced in December of 1908. Power was supplied by a 326cid T-head four-cylinder. Horsepower was rated at 18 using the French calibration; thus the Model 18 designation. By the end of the sales season, 802 Model 18’s had been sold for 1909. Included in the sale is a Packard 1909 Instruction Book (Clymer reprint) along with many photographs of the car when it was shown at the Greenfield Village Old Car Festival in both 1958 and 1960. Another vintage photograph shows the Packard parked in front of a billboard featuring a 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible. In all the accompanying photos, the car appears to have been nicely restored. According to John Grundy in his book Packard of the Gauntlets and Goggles Era 1899-1915, this Packard was first owned by Mrs. Pratt of Pratt & Whitney aircraft fame. She remained in possession of the car until 1940 when it was sold to George Waterman of Providence, Rhode Island. Waterman sold the car to Leonard Davis of Pontiac, Michigan in 1955. He notes that it was Davis, who “did the restoration from a very good original car.” In a bit of conflicting text, he states that Davis was in possession of the car until 1960. He also states that the current owner was in possession since 1958. In either case, this would lead one to believe that the car is an older restoration having been completed prior to 1958 which gives credence to the current patina which has developed over the ensuing years. Painted Brewster Green with black trim and Packard Ivory wheels, the car has the appearance similar to that of a well-cared for original car.Offered at no reserve.