1902 Packard Model F

The Packard Model F is one of the most historically significant early automobiles in the world. With just four of the 179 Model F’s built still in existence, this is a rare opportunity to lay eyes on one of the first Packard’s built before the company moved from Warren, Ohio to Detroit.

The story of how Packard was founded in 1899 is similar to the later story of how Lamborghini began making automobiles in the 1960’s. James Ward Packard had purchased one of the first 20 Winton automobiles built at the tail end of the 19th century, and was not completely satisfied with his purchase. Packard went to Alexander Winton and expressed his frustration with the automobile, to which Mr. Winton challenged Mr. Packard to build a better automobile. Mr. Packard did just that.

The Packard Model F debuted in 1902, marking the shift in automobile designs from earlier frail horseless carriages to the recognizable automobile. While the Model F shared its 12 horsepower single-cylinder engine with the prior Model C, the Model F was the first Packard to feature artillery-style wood spoke wheels, and also introduced the the innovative three-speed selective sliding-gear manual transmission, which became an industry standard soon after. These features did not come cheap: the Model F Rear Entry Tonneau started at $2500 (equivalent to about $77,000 today), which was the high-end manufacturer’s most expensive automobile when it was introduced.

While the Model F was quite an expensive automobile, it was extremely well-built. Its durability was put to the test in 1903, when Tom Fetch and and Marius Krarup piloted a Model F from San Francisco to New York. Today, a cross country journey is much easier to complete, with plenty of paved highways, gas stations and of course, shelter within the body of an enclosed modern vehicle. With none of these benefits at hand in 1903, Fetch and Krarup took more than two months to complete their trip, solidifying Packard as a reliable American automaker.

This extraordinary Model F was recently acquired for the Audrain Collections from former U.S Ambassador, Secretary of the Navy and current Rhode Island resident, William Middendorf. This car completed the renowned London to Brighton Run in 2006, and was displayed in the National Packard Museum in 2009, and later the inaugural Audrain Concours d’Elegance here in Newport in 2019. 

This Packard Model F Rear-Entry Tonneau was owned by Art Twohy of Los Angeles, CA from 1947 to 1959. Mr. Twohy was the founder of the Horseless Carriage Club of America. In 1959, William Harrah acquired the vehicle for his renowned collection. It remained in the collection until 1982, at which point it passed to retired USAF General William Lyon. The next owner was Terry Martin of Warren, Ohio. It remained in Martin's care until 2001. The next owner began a restoration which was completed in 2006. The car is one of just four known to exist, and it is one of 20 Warren, Ohio-built Packard cars remaining out of the 480 units produced.

Specifications:

Engine: 184 C.I. Four-Stroke Single-Cylinder 
Horsepower: 12 
Transmission: Three-Speed sliding gear manual 
Suspension: Live Axles w/ Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
Brakes: Rear-Wheel Mechanical Brakes