Packard Ask The Man Who Owned One

A major force in the American automobile scene through the 1950s, Packard made a mark on American advertising as well. The cars themselves seemed built for promotion--the red hexagon in the hubcap, the yoke grille, and the half-arrow belt-line molding acted as a logo of sorts, setting a new standard in visual continuity and branding. The company's image became so firmly established, in fact, that Packard eventually ran advertisements which pictured the cars but purposely omitted the name, instead asking readers to "guess what name it bears." This book traces Packard's advertising history from 1900 through 1958, based on original research that includes several first-hand interviews with the people who made it happen. Filled with reproductions of Packard ads (some in color), the book looks beyond the surface to examine how the advertisements reflect and interpret the company's management and business convictions, how they were influenced by business conditions and competitive pressure, and how they changed with the times.

Foreword by Jay Leno. The author delivers the complete history of this magnificent marque, from Packard's first Model A horseless carriage of 1899, to the company's final days in 1958. Archival black-and-white photographs, stunning new color photos, and a thorough and well-researched text guide you through Packard's stylish lineup.

"The race between two ambitious, complicated men in the early 1900s to create the most extravagant, complicated timepiece ever"--

“ ... For enthusiasts of every age, here is a gallery of great cars from the beginning to the present day. Each of these machines has its own claim to fame—some for fabulous styling, some for technical developments that changed the course of automotive history, some for racing prowess, and some for sheer “personality.” For each chapter there is a beautiful full-page color portrait of the car in its proper setting. The text is no mere description of the machines. With authority, enthusiasm and wit the author traces the history of each make, illuminating the characters of both cars and men with spine-tingling racing adventures and inside anecdotes. While the story of each make is complete in itself and may be read alone, the book as a whole provides a panorama of automotive history. The story of cars is, of course, also the story of men—some of the most colorful figures of the modern world—drivers such as Nuvolari, Oldfield, Fangio: engineers such as Bugatti, Ford, and Porsche. But cars are the real heroes of this book; in these words and pictures they emerge, not as mere collections of nuts and bolts and sheet metal, but as creatures with a kind of life of their own. A life that embodies the urge to freedom and adventure, the pride and love of beauty of both their creators and their users.” (New York – 1960)

Founded in 1899, the Packard Motor Car Company grew into one of America's finest automobile companies, producing cars that exemplified American quality and innovation. Packards were the cars of presidents, movie stars, and those with an appreciation for high quality. The company is known for producing a variety of automobiles, as well as marine engines for PT boats. The Packard represents the classic era of automobile manufacturing and remains one of the most sought-after collector cars. The Packard Motor Car Company was in existence from 1899 to 1957, but the golden era of Packard cars came to a close in the late 1930s. The images featured in this book represent the early years at the Warren, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan factories. The first Packard was built in 1899, and the company then went on to build the fifth car to climb Mount Washington and some of the finest record-setting racecars in the history of automobile racing. Packard Motor Car Company contains rare images from the Larz Anderson Auto Museum that were saved from the Packard factory and the personal collection of James Ward Packard when the company closed.