1920 Packard Twin Six Touring

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

 * * * 

The Packard Twin Six was the first twelve-cylinder engine put into series production anywhere in the world. It made history the day it was born and continued to do so from the spring of 1915 when it was introduced until June 1923 when it was discontinued. The Twin Six was a 424.1 cu-in 12-cylinder engine cast in two blocks of six. It offered a factory-rated 99 hp at 2,600rpm.

Top speed was 70 mph. The Twin Six was known for its smooth acceleration in high from 4 mph. Standard equipment on Twin Sixes included a one-man top, side curtains, windshield, Sparton horn, complete tool kit, Warner speedometer, Waltham clock, tire carrier, and power tire pump.

Czar Nicholas II drove his Twin Six around St. Petersburg fitted with sleigh runners to combat the wintry Russian weather. The first automobile to carry a U.S. president to his inauguration was the Twin Six in which Warren Harding rode in 1921. Warlord of Manchuria, Chang Tso-lin, had his Twin Six armor plated, and an oil-rich Osage Indian chief wrecked his one day and ordered another the next! In all, 35,000 people purchased one leaving Packard a legacy that would far outlast the storied company from East Grand Avenue.

Highlights

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection

• The world’s first V12 production car

• Wood spoke artillery wheels

• Largely complete running gear

Features

• Front and rear fenders

• Cowl, running boards and headlights

• Windshield frame

• Gas tank

• Splash apron

• Dashboard with full instrumentation

• Tail lamp and bracket

• Cowl lamps in box with the car

• Engine is free, spins over

Ownership History

Mark Smith, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; L.M. Yost, Kenilworth, Illinois (19??-1958); Douglas Ladd, Henniker, New Hampshire (1955-1958); Wilfred J. Dignard, N. Monmouth, Maine (1919-1955); E. Cumnock, Winthrop, Maine (daughter of banker, Alexander Cumnock - Original owner 1916-1919).

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “This Packard has a very well documented history of ownership. It is never easy to part ways with a Packard, but this Twin Six is ready for a new caretaker!”

Additional Notes

Sold on a bill of sale only

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 email: dgould@hagerty.com