LOT 71
1917 Packard 2-25 Twin Six Runabout Chassis no. 32168 Engine no. 127642 Gearbox no. 127833
Sold for US$89,600 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 71
1917 Packard 2-25 Twin Six Runabout
1917 Packard 2-25 Twin Six Runabout
Chassis no. 32168
Engine no. 127642
Gearbox no. 127833
Chassis no. 32168
Engine no. 127642
Gearbox no. 127833
424.1ci L-head V-12 Engine
88bhp at 2,600rpm
Single Packard Carburetor
3-Speed Sliding Gear Transmission
Solid Front Axle, Semi-Floating Rear Axle
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes (See Text)
*Intriguing Argentinian history
*Modified chassis with 4-wheel brakes and Houk wire wheels
*2005 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic participant
*An evocatively styled pre-1920 racing machine
THE CAR OFFERED
Throughout its illustrious history, the Packard Motor Car Company generally shied away from motorsports, but many privateers saw ample potential for performance beneath their luxurious trimmings. In the mid-1910s Packard's chief engineer, Jesse Vincent, revealed the all-new flagship "Twin-Six" engine. Displacing just over 424 cubic inches, the L-head V-12 was a luxury motoring masterpiece, delivering unparalleled refinement and near silent operation. This 1917 Series 2-25 Twin Six "Runabout" began life as a standard car and is one of a handful of Twin Sixes shipped new to Argentina, where it evolved from luxurious tourer into this minimalistic racer.
Common with racers of the era, this Packard likely evolved to remain competitive, taking on a low-slung stance that is consistent with mid-late 1920s era racing cars. The sparse, cut-down body, set low on the widened and modified chassis, is devoid of any unnecessary addenda. It gained 4-wheel brakes via a Hispano-Suiza style front axle and brake assemblies. Other elements include a reworked radiator, side-exit exhaust, custom inlet manifold, and relocated gear lever. Finally, twenty-inch Houk wire wheels with twin side-mounted spares round out the purposeful package.
In the late 1950s a Shell Oil executive based in Argentina, C. William Humphreys, discovered the Packard. He sold it in 1962 to Mr. Frederick D. Douglass, who tried bringing it home to Texas, but Argentinian customs, viewing the car as a valuable historical artifact, refused to release it. Douglass got creative, partially disassembling it and temporarily fitting junk parts to conceal its identity! The ruse worked, and in 1964, the Packard arrived in the Port of Houston aboard the SS Nopal Star. After Mr. Douglass passed in 1969, it was sold to Elwood Hardman of Evergreen, Colorado, and remained in his care until June of 2001 at which point it was purchased by restorer Dave Rosenwinge and William Eyler, and a complete restoration commenced. During the project, ownership transferred to Rick Eagen and Tony Reed, and it was eventually completed at the skilled hand of Mr. Rosenwinge.
Fresh from restoration, the Twin Six proved its mettle as a proper driver's car on the 2005 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic, a 1,500-mile tour of the West Coast. Following that successful adventure, it was driven on the pre-show Tour d'Elegance and displayed on the famous lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Today, this wholly unique and fascinating Packard is well-maintained, displaying a light patina from touring. Recently, the body was removed and refinished in an appealing Raven black as a nice contrast to its red chassis, with this work being carried out by the concours winning RM Restorations shop. It remains an intriguing prospect for shows, and with its lightweight body and mighty V-12, it will surely be a thrilling mount for competitive events like the Ragtime Racers group or any number of prestigious tours.
88bhp at 2,600rpm
Single Packard Carburetor
3-Speed Sliding Gear Transmission
Solid Front Axle, Semi-Floating Rear Axle
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes (See Text)
*Intriguing Argentinian history
*Modified chassis with 4-wheel brakes and Houk wire wheels
*2005 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic participant
*An evocatively styled pre-1920 racing machine
THE CAR OFFERED
Throughout its illustrious history, the Packard Motor Car Company generally shied away from motorsports, but many privateers saw ample potential for performance beneath their luxurious trimmings. In the mid-1910s Packard's chief engineer, Jesse Vincent, revealed the all-new flagship "Twin-Six" engine. Displacing just over 424 cubic inches, the L-head V-12 was a luxury motoring masterpiece, delivering unparalleled refinement and near silent operation. This 1917 Series 2-25 Twin Six "Runabout" began life as a standard car and is one of a handful of Twin Sixes shipped new to Argentina, where it evolved from luxurious tourer into this minimalistic racer.
Common with racers of the era, this Packard likely evolved to remain competitive, taking on a low-slung stance that is consistent with mid-late 1920s era racing cars. The sparse, cut-down body, set low on the widened and modified chassis, is devoid of any unnecessary addenda. It gained 4-wheel brakes via a Hispano-Suiza style front axle and brake assemblies. Other elements include a reworked radiator, side-exit exhaust, custom inlet manifold, and relocated gear lever. Finally, twenty-inch Houk wire wheels with twin side-mounted spares round out the purposeful package.
In the late 1950s a Shell Oil executive based in Argentina, C. William Humphreys, discovered the Packard. He sold it in 1962 to Mr. Frederick D. Douglass, who tried bringing it home to Texas, but Argentinian customs, viewing the car as a valuable historical artifact, refused to release it. Douglass got creative, partially disassembling it and temporarily fitting junk parts to conceal its identity! The ruse worked, and in 1964, the Packard arrived in the Port of Houston aboard the SS Nopal Star. After Mr. Douglass passed in 1969, it was sold to Elwood Hardman of Evergreen, Colorado, and remained in his care until June of 2001 at which point it was purchased by restorer Dave Rosenwinge and William Eyler, and a complete restoration commenced. During the project, ownership transferred to Rick Eagen and Tony Reed, and it was eventually completed at the skilled hand of Mr. Rosenwinge.
Fresh from restoration, the Twin Six proved its mettle as a proper driver's car on the 2005 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic, a 1,500-mile tour of the West Coast. Following that successful adventure, it was driven on the pre-show Tour d'Elegance and displayed on the famous lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Today, this wholly unique and fascinating Packard is well-maintained, displaying a light patina from touring. Recently, the body was removed and refinished in an appealing Raven black as a nice contrast to its red chassis, with this work being carried out by the concours winning RM Restorations shop. It remains an intriguing prospect for shows, and with its lightweight body and mighty V-12, it will surely be a thrilling mount for competitive events like the Ragtime Racers group or any number of prestigious tours.
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