The 1909 Packard Model 18 is among those awesome cars from the pre-convention era. So despite the fact that the Model 18 was slightly lower in the Packard lineup than the Model 30, it was a hand-built machine. This was normal at the time, although not many people could buy a new Packard. And the point of the Packard Model 18 was to allow more Americans to own a car from this brand.
As in the case with Model 30, the new car received its name due to the engine power. However, there is a version that the stated horsepower was specified by the French system of measurement and that the American measurement of power is higher. Earlier, while gathering information about the Model 30, in some sources I also saw data that the power of the car exceeds 30 horsepower.
Price and value of the 1909 Packard Model 18.
You could buy a brand new Packard Model 18 for $1,000 cheaper than the Model 30. The price of the Packard Model 18 was about $3,000, which was almost double the price of the Cadillac Model 30.
Today, the Model 18 is priced between $100,000 and $150,000. We are talking about a qualitatively restored car.
Appearance, photos and dimensions.
It was in Model 18 that the branded, inherent in all subsequent Packard cars, hood shape appeared for the first time. The car is equipped with pneumatic tires, wheel rims are made of wood, and wheel rims are metal. For easy replacement of a punctured wheel, the spare tires already have rims attached to the rear of the car.
The wheelbase is 125.5d long. The klaxon is shaped like a ram’s horn – a very similar detail was fitted to the Model 30. Note the emblem mounted on the radiator cap – it serves as an indicator of engine temperature. Protruding from the radiator is the curved starter that was used to start the engine. At that time the electric starter was not yet installed on cars with internal combustion engine. This equipment appeared on the 1912 Cadillac.
On the roadster, the gas tank is mounted directly under the rear seat. The front headlights were like those on the Model 30 – acetylene and lighted by gas combustion. The lamps mounted at the rear and under the windshield were kerosene powered. The same solution was used on the Model 30.
Interior and equipment.
This is a right-hand drive car. A few years later American automakers will start to make their cars left-hand drive, but in 1909 this time has not come yet. The gearbox lever and parking brake lever are under the right hand and are moved outside the cabin, as is the saloon pear. The gas pedal lever is mounted on the steering wheel, which was also the norm for cars of the time.
The windshield can be tilted using special brackets. The panel under the legs can be removed, then you can see the driveshaft, exhaust pipe and a huge flywheel. In the photo attached to the article you can see the electric starter. In fact, the Model 18 did not have this part from the factory. And the photo with the electric starter was taken from the car of Jay Leno, who retrofitted his car with this incredibly useful part.
On the engine panel, which separates the passenger compartment from the engine compartment, you can see two, glass bulbs. They serve as an indicator that the engine has already received the necessary degree of lubrication. The thing is that with the help of a special, hand pump, before starting the engine, the oil is pumped up to the crankshaft main liners. And when after such pumping oil comes to the main liners, it passes through the glass flasks – indicators. So the driver can realize that the engine has received the necessary lubrication.
On the same partition of the engine compartment can be seen a plate indicating the presence of a license for the Selden patent. It may surprise many people today, but at the beginning of the century, automakers were forced to buy the patent of this attorney who patented the idea of the automobile. Henry Ford later sued the man and proved that he had nothing to do with the creation of the automobile and therefore no right to the patent.
Engine and specifications of the 1909 Packard Model 18.
The Packard in-line, four-cylinder engine has a displacement of 326 cubic inches. Note – how beautiful the engine of this car is, how much copper, brass and polished aluminum detailing is in it. I’ve paid attention to the beauty of vintage car engines before, but after hearing Jay Leno’s words, I did it again. The spark plugs on this Packard have special toggle switches that allow you to disconnect the plug without removing the wire. Thus, with just one movement you can understand whether the spark plug is working or not, because when you lift the toggle switch and disconnect the plug, the spark will be visible to the eye. This solution has also been used on the Model 30.
Power transmission is made by means of a cardan shaft. It is noteworthy that the gearbox is mounted at the rear. Suspension here is on semi-elliptic leaf springs, and brakes are drum brakes with mechanical drive and only on the rear wheels.
It’s a very good-looking car. And although it was lower in the Packard lineup than Model 30, but it was a powerful, comfortable and expensive car, which could not be bought by many people.
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