1921 Packard
1921 Packard Twin Six
The Twin Six was introduced in May 1915 as a 1916 model and immediately became a sensation. Although Packards were too big and too heavy to be considered true performance cars, in July 1915, race car driver Ralph De Palma lapped the Chicago Speedway in a Twin Six touring car at an average speed of 72.7 mph (117.1 km/h), a formidable showing. The V-12 was also adept at that favorite test of prewar motoring, pulling from 3 mph (5 km/h) to top speed in high gear.
The Twin Six sold quite well, doing wonders for Packard's bottom line; between 1917 and 1919, the company's annual net profits were around $5.5 million. The Twin Six completely overshadowed the six-cylinder cars, which were discontinued in September 1915, and remained in production through June 1923 with various minor refinements. Packard sold 35,102 Twin Sixes in all, a remarkable total for such an expensive car. (List prices for the 1916 Twin Six had ranged from $2,750 to $4,800 with factory bodywork, roughly $55,000 to $100,000 in 2010 dollars.) The Twin Six also inspired, at least in part, the 12-cylinder "Liberty Engine" used in many Allied aircraft and tanks; Jesse Vincent helped to design the Liberty along with Elbert John Hall of the Hall-Scott Motor Company.
The end of World War I left the European economies in ruins and led to a severe recession in the U.S. Even before the Armistice, Packard president Alvan Macauley decided it would be prudent to offer a smaller, cheaper model. This emerged in September 1920 as the Single Six, powered by a new 242 cu. in. (3,958 cc) L-head six with 52hp. Although the Single Six was a sales disappointment — in part because it still cost a lot more than a V-8 Cadillac — it outsold the costlier Twin Six, whose sales fell from over 5,000 in 1920 to around 1,300 in 1921. By 1922, it was clear the V-12 engine had run its course.
Packard considered developing a new Twin Six, but opted instead for a straight eight, essentially the Single Six engine with two more cylinders and a heavier, nine-bearing crankshaft. The eight initially displaced 358 cu. in. (5,864 cc), but it made 85hp, nearly matching the 90hp of the final Twin Six. Dubbed "Single Eight," the new engine replaced the V-12 in the summer of 1923. The Single Eight, renamed simply Eight in 1925, would become Packard's mainstay for the next decade.
A very nice original touring car showing only 12,945 miles. Original black and yellow two-tone body with original leather interior in nice condition. The carburetor has been disassembled and parts are missing and therefore the car does not run. It does turn over and with the right parts should run again. The engine is a V-12 displacing 424ci. This car includes 6 Firestone non-skid tires. This twin Six was purchased by the owner in 1970 from Tom Marshall with The Magic Age of Steam. It was last driven in 1980. It had an ignition upgrade with ballast resistors. Also, has an on board compressor. A gorgeous touring car that only needs a little love.
23 Series Club Sedan
Original Paint/Like New Original Interior/288.6ci Inline 8
Twelve 2/4 Passenger Coupe
Excellent Belfair Green/Comfortable Wool Broadcloth/445.5 CI V12/Smashing Design
Offered at $180,000
1200 Sedan
No Rust Exterior Warm Gunmetal Gray Mechanically Very Sound