Twinsix.net

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.