Packard · 1903–1912

Packard Model 30

The Packard Motor Car Company introduced their first four-cylinder engine in 1903 initially as a top level car along with the Packard Model F. It was their only automobile offered and exclusively used a four-cylinder engine from 1903 until 1912 and established Packard as a luxury car maker, and was replaced by the 1913 Packard Six.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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History

The first four-cylinder equipped car was introduced as the 1903 Model K with rear entrance tonneau or King of Belgium tonneau body styles. It introduced a number of firsts for the company, to include installing the engine in front of the passenger compartment and the radiator with a grille, with a four speed transmission using a 92 in (2,336.8 mm) wheelbase. Production was limited to 34 with a retail price of US$7,300 ($261,583 in 2025 dollars ) making it the most expensive Packard manufactured. Packard engineer Charles Schmidt raced a Model K Gray Wolf at Ormond-Daytona Beach and achieved 77.6 mph. The 1904 Model L & Model M introduced the characteristic sculpted radiator and flat hood appearance, while the body was constructed in aluminum over wood frame. The standard body color was painted Richelieu blue with black molding with cream yellow striping, while the running gear was painted cream yellow with black and blue striping. Three body styles were offered adding a surrey and runabout to the previous tonneau, with a retail price of US$3,000 ($107,500 in 2025 dollars ). Another first for the company was introduced with the 1905 Model N, adding a touring sedan, brougham, and limousine to the runabout, while the surrey was omitted. The wheelbase was extended to 106 in (2,692.4 mm). Retail prices started at US$3,600 to US$4,600 for the limousine ($164,833 in 2025 dollars ). 1906 saw more mechanical and appearance advancements on the Model S, which was also marketed as the Model 24, referring to a claimed 24 bhp T-head engine. Two wheelbases were offered for the first time, where the runabout used a 108 in (2,743.2 mm), while the touring sedan, limousine, landaulet, and victoria used the longer 119 in (3,022.6 mm). Another trademark appearance feature was introduced; the

Engine and drivetrain

A plate clutch was blocked with the engine. Power was transmitted by a long shaft with universal joints to the three-speed sliding-gear manual gearbox with reverse. This was located in a housing at the rear axle which also contained the differential. The car used shaft drive from the beginning, although many other high-powered cars at this time relied on double-chain drive. In 1909, redesigned linkage in the transmission made it possible for the reverse gear to be activated with the regular gear-shift. Since 1904, all Packards had had a separate lever for the reverse gear.

Chassis

The ladder-type frame used semielliptical leaf springs front and rear. Steering included now ball bearings instead of roller types, and featured a Pitman arm in front of the front axle. Brakes were mechanical on the rear wheels only, working either by pedal (external contracting) or lever (internal expanding). Following the owner's manual, either was sufficient for stopping under normal conditions. == References ==

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Packard Motor Car Company
Production: 1903–1912
Assembly: Packard Automotive Plant, Detroit, MI
Predecessor: Packard Model G
Successor: Packard Six
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine: 241.7 cuin L-head (1903-1904), 265.7 cuin L-head (1905), 349.9 cuin T-head (1906), 431.9 cuin T-head (1907-1908), 265.7 cuin T-head (1909 Model Eighteen NA), 267.5 cuin T-head (1910-1912 Model Eighteen NB, NC, NE), 431.9 cuin T-head (1909-1912 Model Thirty UB, UBS, UC, UCS, UD, UDS, UE)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7122921CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packard_FourCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371155742 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1910_Packard_30_Runabout_(6664148865).jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: David Berry from Rohnert Park CA, USA · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.