Hot Rods Packard V-12 in Hotrods?

Check your history. Automakers didn't 'plan' to cut domestic production to support the war. The conversion, when it happened, was government mandated.

 

Jimi, there have been many discussions as to why Packard did what they did including why they went out of business in the fifties. Packard always had a pretty good name and they had clientele that were willing to pay extra to drive quality automobiles. I believe several factors led them to eventually drop the twelve and I do not believe the war factored into it.

When the depression came along money was a lot tighter in mainstream America and also somewhat tighter in lets say the more wealthy sector. This cut into Packard's profits to say the least. In 1935, Packard came out with their junior series line (starting with the 110 line then 115 then 120 etc) in an attempt to compete with some of the less expensive makes. They wanted to expand their market and had probably made this decision sometime in 1932 or 33 I suppose. When they came out with the junior series cars I believe it hurt the senior (twelves and super 8s) sales and allure. How long they could have continued with the relatively small 12 and super 8 market is anyone's guess, but Packard was no longer for the well heeled. They still made a good product and I imagine some buyers looked elsewhere and others settled for the 180 line which was a step up from the junior series. Packard management was not free from mistakes like most companies. Just my opinion-Jim

 

Just want to say the packard touring cars look great....and the photos of the engines you guys have posted are fantastic.. great gob ....

 

Jim, awfully well put in just two paragraphs, and I fully agree. Looking at the whole scene in the '30s, Packard had already scene virtually all the premier elite makes drop by the wayside. Seems to me that going "down-market" was the only decision open, if they were going to keep the books in black ink. And -- sure -- it hurt their long-standing image.

In the grand scheme of things, Packard may have made a few mistakes, not many. Mostly, the market shifted, more and more, away from the independents. It actually didn't take any conspiracies to drive down almost every independent in the '50s, Packard included. It was just a matter of time, and most made a brave showing, IMO. -- Jimi

 

well I would put a Jaguar V12 in it, with Link'n or Packard lettering on the rockers, but then i,m old and getting older.

 

The "Big Al" chopped 34 Ford sedan had an Allison V-12 in it. The car itself is down in Don Garlit's museum.

 

Dick Saunders needs his own thread. It would be a great one too.

 

Jim Lytle built the original "Big Al" as an Allison powered, chopped '34 Tudor (real steel body). A while later he replaced the steel body with a radically chopped fiberglass replica -- the car shown above -- which is credited with being the first "flopper".

Lytle subsequently built several Allison powered show vehicles, including a 3-wheel motorcyle, a Mack truck, a BMW 600 (basically a stretch Isetta), and -- his tour de force -- a four-Allison powered Fiat Topolino.

I think only "Big Al" actually ran at the drags, and the others were all for show. I was fortunate to see the flopper version run at San Gabriel in the late '60s.

 

AJ &VintageRide: Could you bless us with pix of a couple of those Saunders Packards??? He's a man, obviously, with a passion. Maybe we need a new thread, but I wanna LOOK! LOL

 

If I am not mistaken, that's the car that was the subject of litigation. It ended up overseas, and I have heard "it's back."

 

WOW, great thread, I just finished reading the whole thing and looking at all of the photos and related internet site references. Feel like I just finished V-12 school.
Thanks, what a learning experience...

 

I got excited for a minute...thought we were going to discuss Packard Merlin V12s....

dj

 

The V12 boat tail with twin superchargers was the one that ended up in Germany. I am unaware of litigation though. It was in Michigan briefly after returning to the US and Christies. No superchargers though.

The Convertible coupe has remained in the US to my knowledge. I would love to hear where it is.

Vintageride

 

What sort of blowers did it have on it originally?? Very cool.

 

Love the thread! V-12 in a deuce! Too cool. I thought the Duesenburg-powered deuce we have the basement here at the Petersen was pretty exotic for deuces, but it may pale to a V-12.

 

It was equipped with progressive Twin McCulloch superchargers.

Fold in underhood headlights were removed to install the underhood superchargers. Apparently, my dad said the car would climb mountain grades like they were not there.

Vintageride

 

That's another cheap engine - those 750 and 850 BMWs can be had in good order, running, taxed and tested for around £2000 to £3000 for a complete car.

 

Since we branched out to discuss various
other V-12s from various eras, I thought
you all might get a kick out of these DE-
TAILED pix of what was a powerful 12 in
1916! NATIONAL'S OWN 12 (370-CID???)
70-hp, 60-degree, magneto ignition. Cool
tech in 1916, eh? Heck, this would even
make Hemi and Zephyr guy's eyes light up
with interest!!! From a 1916 National sales
brochure. (THANKS goes to Chuck's
Toyland!!!)

 

If mi mind isn't fooling me howard johanson ran a crosley with a marmon v-16 and the car was loaned to another team and was lost

 

I don't think it was lost. I think it was running with a blown Chrysler in the 90s

 

Rich & DW, thanks for those posts. I have enjoyed the metamporphosis of this thread -- from a basic Packard V-12 question, to many educational and INCISIVE mechanical details (especially on the "families" of Packard 12s, even including WWII company work) . . . then EXTENDING into broader discussions of massive early mills of 16 cylinders, as well. I've also gained an understanding (and respect, I might say) for the fact that it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to discuss U.S. 12s, 16s,etc., without giving the European designers their time in the sun. Being that that Ryan loves his Ferraris, I do believe that all power freaks know that the lust and constant QUEST for ways to make more -- yet efficient -- power has always crossed the old "pond," right?

 

that national v12 engine is to cool , anyone got one ? or heard one running ?

 

Interesting thread. I have a slight quandary along the Packard V-12 topic. I ended up with a fiberglass splash of what appears to be a 1935 Packard V-12 roadster. It is just the exterior of the car. How would you build the car with out spending a ton of money and do it justice ?? Maybe there isn't a way.