Packard Model G
Packard Model G is a two cylinder car built in 1902 by the former American automobile manufacturer Ohio Automobile Company that changed name to Packard Motor Car Company in October, 1902.
At that time the company was located in Warren, Ohio; owners were brothers James Ward Packard and William Doud Packard and investor George Lewis Weiss. Model G was a development of the former single-cylinder cars the company had built since 1899 of which the last, Model F, was offered alongside the Model G. Introduction was in late summer 1902. Only four cars were built.
Chassis
The pressed steel frame of the Model G was new although it followed earlier principles. With a wheelbase of 91 in. (2,311 mm) it was the longest yet. Track was 56 in. (1,422 mm), in fact 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) less than Model F's. The car had the then-usual right hand steering. It was among the first US automobiles that featured a steering wheel instead of a tiller.
Road
Engine and Transmission
As with all Packards to date, the Model G's engine was placed under the driver's bench and laterally mounted, the crank protruding out of the right side. As mentioned, it was derived from the single-cylinder variant for which Packard already had a good reputation. Construction consisted of two single-cylinder engines that were connected in a horizontal opposed position and worked on a common
As introduced with the Model F, Model G also adopted a front-mounted, tough bigger, radiator. This led the car appear, together with the storage place behind it, as a front-engined automobile.
Gearbox was sliding gear, with three speeds forward plus reverse. Power transmission to the rear wheels worked via a single, center mounted chain which itself was connected to the differential.
Coachwork
Model G was a huge car for the time, weighing in at about 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg). Packard offered it with two body styles: Either as a four-passenger Surrey or an eight-passenger Tonneau (sometimes called a "Rear Tonneau Roadster"). The surrey had neither front nor rear doors and came with two forward-facing benches. The tonneau had one bench in front plus two more placed longitudally. Access to the ladder was by a small door in the rear. There were no front doors. Coachwork was made of high quality using wood, probably by a local carriage builder as with other Packards. The customer had a free choice of colors. Upholstery was of qual quality, executed with top grain leather.
Included with the base price were a pair of Dietz oil lamps, a Speed-O-Meter, and gauges for fuel and oil, each installed on the respective tank. An ignition switch was optional. The actual MSRP is not known but considering the smaller Model F tonneau being priced at $2,500 it is a close guess that the more complex Model G cost over $3,000.
Appreciation
While in 1902 alone, 179 Packard Model F left the plant in Warren, only 4 Model G were built. It marked a high- and terminal point for the Ohio Automobile Co. in many ways. It was the last Packard vastly developed by chief engineer and vice president William A. Hatcher who left the company January 17, 1903 because he did not agree with the direction the company took. His successor, Frenchman Charles Schmidt lead Packard to more modern, European construction principles.
Technically, Model G represents the end of the first generation Packards as it was the make's last
One of the customers who bought a Model G was
References
- ISBN 0-915038-11-0.
- Clark, Henry Austin Jr. (1985). ISBN 0-87341-111-0.
- "Packard", George H. Dammann und James A. Wren Motorbooks International, Crestline Series, Osceola WI, ISBN 0-7603-0104-2
- The Packard Identification Guide Volume One", Dr. Robert B. Marvin; 2t. Auflage; R-Mac Publications (1990)
External links
- PAC Packard Automobile Classics
- Packard Information; short description of the Model G; shows a surrey that is mistakingly called the "Rear Tonneau Roadster".
- Packard Information Photo Archive; pictures 9, 10, 11 and 14 show Model G (14 shows William Rockefeller's surrey).