1904 Packard Model L

It was the first Packard to have its engine mounted not under the driver’s seat, but in the engine compartment at the front of the car. The 1904 Packard Model L was produced when the company was run by Henry Joy, who bought the brand from William and James Packard. This car was assembled in Detroit, Michigan. It was a large, comfortable and expensive car for its time. In 1904 alone, largely due to the Model L, Packard produced over 200 cars. That was a significant number for the time, especially when you remember that the Packard was an expensive car.
For all the good things about this car, – there are only a few paragraphs about it on wikipedia. Informative articles, or videos about this Packard I just haven’t come across. So let’s pay attention to this, amazing machine.

Price and value of the 1904 Packard Model L.

At the time, a new 1904 Packard Model L cost $3,000. That was a significant price. For comparison – also not cheap 1902 Franklin Model A with air-cooling cost 1100 dollars.

Appearance and photo.

The wheelbase of the 1904 Packard Model L was 94 inches. Wooden-spoke, artillery-type wheel rims were the norm for the time. Spare tires with metal rims already on them were attached to the body, which was also the norm for the time.
If you notice, there are no wide running boards from the front fenders to the rear fenders. But in this area you can notice a duffel box, the lid of which is secured with a leather strap. The lever of the curved starter was also fixed with a strap.

The main headlights illuminated the road with acetylene gas. The headlights under the windshield and taillight were kerosene. This solution was used on the next, rather successful Model 18 and Model 30.
The Model L wheel hubs were decorated with hexagonal plugs. This solution was also used later on the aforementioned models. Wicker baskets, fixed on the sides of the body, were the norm for cars of that time.

Interior and Equipment.

This 1904 Packard Model L is right-hand drive, which again was the norm for an American car of the time. The klaxon pear, as well as the transmission and parking brake lever, was moved outside the body. The windshield was mounted vertically and had no tilt angle. A clock can be seen on the partition of the engine and passenger compartment.

It is a large car and it has 2 rows of seats. The gas pedal lever was mounted on the steering wheel. This is probably very unusual today, but at that time there was no foot accelerator pedal.

Engine and specifications of the 1904 Packard Model L.

At the front of the car, under the hood was an in-line, four-cylinder engine. With a displacement of 241.7 cubic inches (4.5 liters), it produced 22 horsepower. That was a lot of power for the very beginning of the 20th century. With this engine and a three-speed, manual transmission, the 1904 Packard Model L could reach a top speed of 40 miles.
The cylinders were not cast in one block, but individually. That was the norm at the time. A displacement of 4.5 liters was achieved with each cylinder bore of 98mm and a piston stroke of 130mm.
Power is transmitted to the rear wheels by a PTO shaft. At the time, many manufacturers used a chain – to transfer torque and power to the rear wheels. The Packard was an expensive car and it used expensive parts and solutions – like the driveshaft.

It’s not the most iconic car for Packard. But this car was quite successful and allowed the company to develop further. It was expensive, comfortable and powerful – the way a Packard should be.