Packard’s second generation V-12 was a 455 CID beauty that produced 160 Hp and a whopping 322 foot pounds of torque. They left the starting line like a rocket.
Despite common belief, these engines were not related to the Rolls Royce Merlin V-12, Packard would build under license through much of WWII a decade later. The company also built a huge, V-12 Marine engine. Four of these powered Gar Wood’s Miss America speedboat to a speed of over 125 MPH in 1932. His success actually caused Rolls to pull out of boat racing. These marine engines would evolve into the 2490 CID engines at the heart of American PT and rescue boats in WWII.
Packard would keep putting V-12s in top end cars through 1939. Many classic car folks believe Packard’s decision to stop making the powerful twelve cylinder engines that had cemented their reputation as America’s luxury king, is responsible for Packard’s eventual loss of the luxury market to Cadillac.
1/24 scale model car in front of a real background.
Featured Player: Franklin Mint 1936 Packard V-12 Sport Phaeton
Location: Grant-Humphreys Mansion Denver, Colorado
