Packard Twin Six
Packard Super Eight
Packard Twelve
Car : Packard Twin Six
Year : 1916
Engine : 12 cylinders V
Bore and stroke :76.2×127 mm
Cylinder capacity : 6946 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 88
Maximum speed : 80 mph
Wheelbase : 10 ft 5 ins ( 3.17 m) or 11 ft 3 ins ( 3.42 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs
Packard was the creation of an enterprising and enlightened industrialist, James Ward Packard, who had taken an interest in electrical gadgets before he turned to cars. The turn of the century saw the rise and fall of many car companies, but Packard, which produced its first car in 1899, developed and grew until it became one of the most successful companies on the American market. Apart from anything else, Packard was responsible for certain technical innovations, including the steering-wheel (1901)―being one of the first American manufacturers to incorporate this equipment. Another characteristic of the firm was its reputation for quality.
Even when a middle-of–the-range model was being designed in 1935, half of the technical personnel were still kept engaged on designing and building de luxe 8- and 12-cylinder vehicles. Another, and perhaps the main, point in its favour, was that Packard did not follow the fashion current in Detroit for changing models every year. A 1931 Packard was not very different stylistically from one built ten years previously. The wisdom of this policy was borne out by the number of extremely distinguished clients who dealt with the firm, including kings, presidents, and sheikhs. The notable rise in standard effected by the adoption of the 12-cylinder engine in favour of the 4- was due to a Detroit industrialist, Henry B. Jay, who in 1901 acquired possession of the Packard Motor Car Company shares. (James Packard continued as president of the company until 1909, however, and as administrative head until 1912.) In 1903 the company moved to Detroit, which was to become the car capital of America. But James Packard stayed in Warren, where he had kept his electrical company going all this time (later this firm became part of General Motors).
The 1916 Twin Six was the first 12-cylinder car to be mass-produced. Above all it drew the crowds: 25,000 people came to see it when it was first put on show in San Francisco. The salient feature of the Twin Six was the extremely flexible engine, which could develop 88 bhp (there was also a 110 bhp racing version); it had aluminium pistons, pressure lubrication, and two water pumps. As well as having a maximum speed of about 80 mph (in itself quite impressive), it could accelerate from 0 to about 30 mph in 12 seconds.
Strangely, the gear lever and brake were positioned to the left of the steering Column, which was itself on the left. The Twin Six was famous too because President Warren G. Harding, the first president of the United States to use a car in an official ceremony, chose one in 1921.
Car : Packard Super Eight
Year : 1928
Engine : 8 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :88.9×127 mm
Cylinder capacity : 6306 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 106
Maximum speed : 85 mph
Wheelbase : 11 ft 11 ins ( 3.63 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs
Car : Packard Twelve
Year : 1933
Engine : 12 cylinders V
Bore and stroke :87.3×101.6 mm
Cylinder capacity : 7294 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 180
Maximum speed : 100 mph
Wheelbase : 11 ft 7 ins ( 3.53 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs
The 1927-1928 Super Eight was also a refined car, incorporating centralized semi-automatic lubrication, gearbox with there forward speeds, and nine bearing crankshaft. It developed 106 bhp, and had a maximum speed of about 80 mph. There were mechanical brakes on all four wheels, and the tires were of the ‘balloon’ type. There were three series of this model, the third having a 6300 cc 100 bhp engine.
The Twelve, as its name indicates, again had a 12-cylinder engine, with ferrous alloy cylinder block, side valves, removable head, centrifugal forced water cooling, ventilator and thermostat, pressure lubrication, twin coil distributor ignition, twin disc dry clutch, semi-floating rear axle, pressed chassis and side-members, and drum brakes on all four wheels, with a handbrake acting on the back wheels.
In June 1954 Packard and Studebaker merged, combining vehicles. However, the venture failed, and in 1958 production of Packard models ceased. Studebaker shared the same fate in March 1966.
Car : Overland Whippet Four
Year : 1926
Engine : 4 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :79.4×111.1 mm
Cylinder capacity : 2199 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 30
Maximum speed : 55 mph
Wheelbase : 9 ft 4 ins ( 2.84 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs
The company was born in 1902 in Terre Haute, Indiana, Under the name Standard Wheel Company, and became Overland company when it moved its premises to Indianapolis in 1905; it took the name Willys- Overland Company after John North Willys, who had made his fortune selling first bicycles, then cars. The company began to make headway with a series of 4-cylinder models, adding two with 6 cylinders in 1909. These, however, were not a success.
After moving to Toledo, Ohio, into the former Pope premises, the company was among the first to put its faith in the Knight sleeve valve engine. The introduction of the Whippet in 1926 brought Overland into the top few names in the sales leagues: of 315,000 vehicles produced in 1928, half were Whippets. In 1929, 190,000 were sold. Launched in June 1926 as the 1927 model, it was given the name Overland Whippet; but after the first 30,000 the name changed to Willys Whippet. The engine had side valves and dry disc clutch, pressure lubrication, and brakes on all four wheels. It was also the first car to combine choke and lights and horn controls on the steering column, thus within hand’s reach. On the first models the door opened from the front, but this was immediately changed.
Car : Oldmobile 43 A
Year : 1921
Engine : 4 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :93.66×133.5 mm
Cylinder capacity : 3677 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 44
Maximum speed : 62 mph
Wheelbase : 9 ft 7 ins ( 2.92 m)
Suspension : floating axles
Oldmobile is one of the oldest American car firms still surviving today (as part of General Motors), and still produces successful cars. It was founded in Lansing, Michigan, in 1987 by Ransom Eli Olds, who had inherited from his father, a factory manager, a passion for engineering. In 1899 Oldmobile, or rather the Olds Motor Vehicle Company, became Olds Motor Works, and in 1908 it became part of General Motors –of which, however, it only became Oldmobile Division in 1942.
Olds could boast that it was the first company in the world to have entered mass production. The curved Dash was launched in 1900, and in production engine ( 7 bhp), with gear transmission and 2-speed gearbox. It met with immediate success, and today is one of the most highly prized veteran cars. The 1921 43 A was the last car produced by Oldmobile to have a 4-cylinder engine. They also made a V8 from 1916 to 1923 , but in 1923 the company moved exclusively to 6 cylinders.
The 43 A’s 4-cylinder engine developed around 44 bhp. It incorporated a pump cooling system, splash lubrication, and disc clutch. A total of 13,867 43 As were manufactured; nine (43B) were built with 8-cylinder V engines.
Car : Oakland 6-54
Year : 1924
Engine : 6 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :71.4×120.7 mm
Cylinder capacity : 2898 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 54
Maximum speed : 58 mph
Wheelbase : 9 ft 4 ins ( 2.84 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs
Oakland was founded in 1907 by Edward M. Murphy, and it started production with certain important technical innovations, such as a counter-balanced crankshaft and coil suspension. Commercially it was a failure, but a after producing a moderately successful twin-cylinder car in 1908, the company gained the public’s attention and respect with a 4-cylinder car developing 40 bhp. William Durant, who was working out his plans for creating the biggest motor car manufacturing group in the world, was impressed by Oakland’s progress, and in 1909 invited Murphy to join him.
The 6-54 (the first figure indicating the number of cylinders, the second the engine brake horse power) was one of Oakland’s most successful models. After joining General Motors the company advanced both in terms of quantity and quality. The 6-54 was an exception in American at the time in having brakes (detachable disc) on all four wheels and pressure lubrication. Another characteristic, introduced when the 6-54 came on to the market, was the special scratch resistant paint on the bodywork.
Car : Nash Four
Year : 1922
Engine : 4 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :85.7×127 mm
Cylinder capacity : 2929 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 36.75
Maximum speed : 55 mph
Wheelbase : 9 ft 4 ins ( 2.84 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs
The first cars to appear with the name Nash were introduced in 1918, but Charles W. Nash himself had already had considerable experience of the car business. Previously vice-president of General Motors, in 1916 Nash had bought control of the Thomas B. Jeffery Company, well-known makers first of bodywork, then of cars such as Rambler and Jeffery.
With this company at this disposal, Nash suddenly found himself in a particularly advantageous position, being able to manufacture the bodywork he needed.
The Nash Four came on the market in 1921, at $1,395, reduced to $985 the following year. It was advertised as a good value ‘sister car’ to the 6-cylinder, as if already in 1921 Nash had the two-car family in mind. It was orthodox in many respects-splash lubrication, coil ignition, and disc clutch.
In April 1922 the firm celebrated production of its 100,000th car. Meanwhile it continued to incorporate interesting details in its vehicles such as a device for checking the fuel level, shuttering on the front windows, two spare wheels, and a thermometer on the radiator cap. In 1954 Nash merged with Hudson, thus creating American Motors.
Car : Mercer 35 T
Year : 1912
Engine : 4 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :110×126 mm
Cylinder capacity : 4789 cc
Gears : 3 or 4 forward
Brake horse power : 58
Maximum speed : 75 mph
Wheelbase : 9 ft 0 ins ( 2.74 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs integrated with Hartford friction shock absorbers
The name Mercer enjoyed great prestige for some years in the U.S.A. because of its sports cars which were also used for racing. Founded in 1911 in Trenton, New Jersey, Mercer was backed by Washington August Roebling, son of the designer of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The 35 T was, for some time, the company’s most successful car. Initially powered by a twin block T-head engine, in 1915 it was changed to a single-block L, the new model being called the Series 22. It had a 4-speed transmission, compared with three on the Type35. It now developed 58 bhp at 1,700 revs, with a maximum speed of around 75 mph. Its total weight was less than at a ton (1,016 kg).
Already in 1911, its first year of production, Mercer participated in the Indianapolis 500 Miles. The twin-block engine was pepped up for the occasion to give 60 bhp at 2,000 revs. Placed 12th and 15th , the company saw its efforts amply rewarded. In the 1912 500 Miles, a Mercer came third, and in the 1913 race, second. Although the company also made classic touring vehicles (with a certain loss of character as a result), it fell on hard times and was unable to recover. Production ceased in 1925, though the name was revived five years later on two cars made by the Elcar company.
Car : Maxwell 50-6
Year : 1914
Engine : 6 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :104.8×120.7 mm
Cylinder capacity : 6246 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 41
Maximum speed : -
Wheelbase : -
Suspension : front :semi-elliptic leaf- springs; back : ¾ elliptic leaf- springs
This company, founded in 1904 in Newcastle, Indiana, and absorbed into Chrysler in 1925, operated for less than 20 years. It was started by Jonathan Maxwell and Benjamin Briscoe; the latter left in 1912 to set up a company under his own name. Up until then, the cars they had produced were called Maxwell-Briscoes. Maxwell at first concentrated on the poorest sector of the market, but twin-cylinder engines, in which he was most interested, were soon abandoned in favour of 4 cylinders. The 50-6 was a de luxe model, aimed at the top of the market.
The 50-6 had wooden wheels, dual ignition, and electrical gear-change. Its qualities were undeniable, but it was costly compared with other vehicles in the same category. Hudson was offering a 7-seater model for $100 less than the Maxwell 50-6, and the engine, developing barely 41 bhp, was not the best available to the public. Although it was sold for a couple of years, Maxwell returned to 4-cylinder engine. But by then it was too late, and Chrysler took the company over in 1925. Nevertheless the name did not disappear-Chrysler used it for one of its own models, the 3044 cc 21 bhp with side distribution valves and 3-speed transmission.
Car : Lozier 50 HP
Year : 1913
Engine : 6 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :117.5×140 mm
Cylinder capacity : 9104 cc
Gears : 4 forward
Brake horse power : 55
Maximum speed : 70 mph
Wheelbase : 10 ft 11 ins (3.32 m)
Suspension : front and back : semi-elliptic leaf- springs
Founded as a bicycle factory in 1880, the Lozier Manufacturing Company began to interest itself in engines for tricycles in 1897. In 1903 the death of Henry Abram Lozier , the founder, left his son Harry in the difficult position of carrying on the company, and possibly expanding it. This he did so successfully that a motor car was produced in 1904. Other models followed, all with 4-cylinder engines. All the models sold well.
With the building of a 6-cylinder engine, Lozier became actively involved in races, coming second in the 1911 Indianapolis 500 Miles, and winning the Vanderbilt Cup the same year at about 70 mph average speed with Ralp Mulford driving.
The 50 bhp dates from this period, and the bodywork reveals its dual purpose for sport and touring.
The 72, with driver’s seat on the left, launched in 1912, consolidated Lozier’s position and prestige. Yet this company also felt the blight of the economic crisis. It tried to adapt, producing a cheap 4-cylinder model, but without success. In 1915 the company went into liquidation and was taken over by others. However, in 1917 it closed down for good. Basically it shared the fate of most firms making de luxe and racing cars; they were too expensive.