America's Packard Museum - 2023

In 2023 I managed two visits to America's Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio. These photos were taken during my visit in October during the Forum 43 weekend.

1924 Packard Single Six Touring

Packard worked hard to maintain a good working relationship with its dealership network and would often solicit advice on ways to improve cars and make them more marketable. The 1924 Six models were one of best examples of this, as dealers were adamant about the addition of front brakes, while most cars up until that point had rear brakes only, making driving at speed dangerous. 1924 was the first year that the more practical, closed bodied cars outsold convertible, a trend that continues today.

SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Single Six Touring
Wheelbase: 126 inches
Engine: 268.4 cu. In. Straight Six
Horsepower: 54 BHP @ 2700 rpm
Transmission: Three speed-manual
Brakes: Mechanical Drum Brakes
Price When New: $2,585

1928 Packard Custom Eight Convertible Sedan by Hibbard and Darrin

Carosserie Hibbard et Darrin was based in Paris, France and was founded by Thomas L. Hubbard and his partner Howard “Dutch” Darrin. Thomas Hibbard and Raymond Dietrich were the founders of LeBaron, Carosserie in New York after being fired from Brewster & Co. in 1920. It was at LeBaron that Thomas Hibbard met Dutch Darrin. The two became friends, and went to Europe to sell custom cars, and decided to stay put in Paris to build cars there. The Parisian Packard dealer, Monsieur Barbezat, sold several Hibbard and Darrin cars, including this one, to an Argentinean National. The engine is a 384.8 cubic inch straight eight sitting on a 143-inch wheelbase and features a division window. It is believed that only one car was built. There are many interesting design features on this automobile including a three-position top, Marchal Headlights and an elaborate interior.

SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Custom Eight Convertible Sedan
Wheelbase: 143 inches
Engine: 384.8 cu. In. straight eight
Horsepower: 106 BHP @ 3600 rpm
Transmission: Three speed-manual
Brakes: Mechanical Drum Brakes
Curb Weight: 4,400 lbs
Price When New: $6,000

1928 Packard Six 526 Convertible Coupe

“The Packard Six is Packard in Quality and therefore Packard in Name.”
This was the slogan for the 1928 Six Series vehicles. While these were well known as the least expensive cars in the Packard catalog, this particular-body style was the most expensive in the 126-inch wheelbase line. With fewer costly repairs over time due to world-renown robust engineering, Packard would often emphasize “Value over Price”, leaning heavily on cost of ownership being lower than the cost of their closest competitors. Still at a mere 2,425 dollars this car was almost 2,000 dollars more expensive than a Ford Model A of similar body style.

SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Six 526 Convertible
Wheelbase: 126 inches
Engine: 288.6 cu. In. Straight Six
Horsepower: 81 BHP @ 3200 rpm
Transmission: Three speed-manual
Brakes: Mechanical Drum Brakes
Price When New: $2,425