.jpg?w=1)
Details
Photo Credit: Lighthouse Imaging
FROM THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM B. RUGER
The ex-Bill Harrah Collection
1918 PACKARD TWIN SIX TOURING
Chassis No. 154680
Engine No. 154680
Black with blue body inserts and black fenders, black leather upholstery and black grained top
Engine: L-head, V12, cast in two blocks of six, 424ci. 90bhp at 2,600rpm; Gearbox: three-speed manual with reverse; Suspension: front and rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs with Westinghouse shock absorbers to the front; Brakes: rear wheel internal expanding. Left hand drive.
One of the greatest contributors to the long and storied history of the Packard Motor Car Company is undoubtedly Colonel Jesse Vincent. Vincent's relentless pursuit of the twelve-cylinder engine proved to be one of the most astute, cunning and profitable ventures the company ever undertook. His presentations to top executives on the revolutionary engine are reported to have begun as early as 1914. It was not that the V-8 engine configuration was a bad idea, Vincent just knew that the balance of two pairs of six cylinders would be the formula for motoring success. Only a short time after introducing and essentially selling the idea to the top brass at Packard, an experimental version was ready for testing and in fact far exceeded the expectations of nearly everyone. Vincent was obviously very proud of his new engine. Made up of two banks of L-head six cylinders, the engine had become slightly narrower as bore and stroke had been decreased enough to allow the larger capacity engine to fit snugly within the chassis rails. Overall, horsepower on the first year production cars of 1916 was rated at about 88. Performance was quite impressive and the now very agile cars proved themselves to be a supremely executed balance between weight, horsepower and torque.
Packard had swiftly become a very successful automotive empire as the company was employing over 10,000 people nationwide. Their continued success bolstered this figure as the popularity of the new Twin-Six line showed steady and continual increases in sales in the years following the new twelve-cylinder car's introduction.
This third series long wheelbase Packard is offered from the Collection in restored condition throughout, while retaining original features such as instrumentation, artillery wheels and foldaway occasional seats. This original and complete car came out of the famous Harrah automobile collection from which William Ruger acquired this Packard in October 1985.
About twelve to fifteen years ago the car had a complete engine rebuild by Lyle Patterson, the long term curator of the Ruger car collection, which included new pistons, cam rollers and reground valves, since when it has only travelled about 150 miles. Period grained material was used on the black soft top which is trimmed with beige lining and the seats and door trim are also of black leather. The paintwork is in presentable condition with black hood and fenders and blue body panels picked out with white striping, the whole set-off by cream artillery wheels. The engine bay is detailed correctly and would benefit from some general cleaning following a period of storage. The Packard is still fitted with a period Waltham combined speedometer/odometer/clock and there is a Boyce Motometer with a vintage airplane in-flight radiator mascot on the radiator.
This well proportioned seven passenger tourer has not been in regular use for a number of years but we are assured that it runs sweetly as indeed, Mr. Ruger expected all of his cars to be on the button and ready to go.
WITHOUT RESERVE
FROM THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM B. RUGER
The ex-Bill Harrah Collection
1918 PACKARD TWIN SIX TOURING
Chassis No. 154680
Engine No. 154680
Black with blue body inserts and black fenders, black leather upholstery and black grained top
Engine: L-head, V12, cast in two blocks of six, 424ci. 90bhp at 2,600rpm; Gearbox: three-speed manual with reverse; Suspension: front and rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs with Westinghouse shock absorbers to the front; Brakes: rear wheel internal expanding. Left hand drive.
One of the greatest contributors to the long and storied history of the Packard Motor Car Company is undoubtedly Colonel Jesse Vincent. Vincent's relentless pursuit of the twelve-cylinder engine proved to be one of the most astute, cunning and profitable ventures the company ever undertook. His presentations to top executives on the revolutionary engine are reported to have begun as early as 1914. It was not that the V-8 engine configuration was a bad idea, Vincent just knew that the balance of two pairs of six cylinders would be the formula for motoring success. Only a short time after introducing and essentially selling the idea to the top brass at Packard, an experimental version was ready for testing and in fact far exceeded the expectations of nearly everyone. Vincent was obviously very proud of his new engine. Made up of two banks of L-head six cylinders, the engine had become slightly narrower as bore and stroke had been decreased enough to allow the larger capacity engine to fit snugly within the chassis rails. Overall, horsepower on the first year production cars of 1916 was rated at about 88. Performance was quite impressive and the now very agile cars proved themselves to be a supremely executed balance between weight, horsepower and torque.
Packard had swiftly become a very successful automotive empire as the company was employing over 10,000 people nationwide. Their continued success bolstered this figure as the popularity of the new Twin-Six line showed steady and continual increases in sales in the years following the new twelve-cylinder car's introduction.
This third series long wheelbase Packard is offered from the Collection in restored condition throughout, while retaining original features such as instrumentation, artillery wheels and foldaway occasional seats. This original and complete car came out of the famous Harrah automobile collection from which William Ruger acquired this Packard in October 1985.
About twelve to fifteen years ago the car had a complete engine rebuild by Lyle Patterson, the long term curator of the Ruger car collection, which included new pistons, cam rollers and reground valves, since when it has only travelled about 150 miles. Period grained material was used on the black soft top which is trimmed with beige lining and the seats and door trim are also of black leather. The paintwork is in presentable condition with black hood and fenders and blue body panels picked out with white striping, the whole set-off by cream artillery wheels. The engine bay is detailed correctly and would benefit from some general cleaning following a period of storage. The Packard is still fitted with a period Waltham combined speedometer/odometer/clock and there is a Boyce Motometer with a vintage airplane in-flight radiator mascot on the radiator.
This well proportioned seven passenger tourer has not been in regular use for a number of years but we are assured that it runs sweetly as indeed, Mr. Ruger expected all of his cars to be on the button and ready to go.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Special notice
This lot is offered without reserve.