Volume 55 Issue 12
December 2013
IN THIS ISSUE:
President’s Thoughts...........................1
Christmas Party Announcement..........4
On the Road Again.………..….......…..5
Packards go to School………………...7
America's Packard Museum..............10
Story of the American Mercedes……15
Why a Tool Kit?.................................19
Activities Calendar.............................20
----------------------------------------------
Members of the Board of Directors,
Officers, and Committee Chairs of
the San Diego Region of Packards
International Motor Car Club:
President, Treasurer & Newsletter
Editor: Steve Ross
(619) 508-3925
[email protected]
Vice President: Ron Steffey
[email protected]
Secretary & Historian: Brian Wagner
[email protected]
CHRISTMAS IN A PACKARD!
What could possibility be more fun than driving a Packard to a
Christmas party? It appears that these folks are at a small town
train station picking up a soldier in a 1941 Clipper who is probably a
family member.
I wonder what driving in the snow in our vintage
Packard would be like. I would think it is very similar to a '47 Chevy
which I have experience with. Shall we drive up to Idyllwild this
winter and find out? I have driven the Packard on rain soaked roads
as well as mud. It seemed to do ok.
Membership Chair: Karl Ramsing
(760) 726-595
[email protected]
Projects Chair: Paul Santy
(760) 434-2503
[email protected]
Tours Chair: Richard Schauer
(760) 740-9188
[email protected]
Webmaster and Newsletter Publisher:
Mark Burnside
(619) 322-9340
[email protected]
----------------------------------------------
National Website:
www.PackardsInternational.com
SD Region Website:
I don’t know if Santa
ever
used
an
automobile or not but,
if he did it would have
been a Packard I am
sure.
www.PackardSanDiego.com
I am told that Santa is
required to use his
Reindeer and sleigh
which is kinda sad BUT,
guess what? We can
drive
our
Packard
anytime we want too!
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December 2013
WOW, think about that? How many people
can say that. OK, maybe several but we are
still special. If you drive your Packard to the
Christmas party Saturday December 7 you
will be rewarded with a free beverage of your
choice by Santa himself, as if getting to drive
the Packard were not enough reward. The
committee is working on getting Santa and
his helpers to attend our party again this
year. Perhaps they will watch our Packards
for us.
The John Wayne room is being
remodeled and may not be ready for us this
year but we have been assured to have an
equally holiday setting.
I would not mind having the Packard pictured
here for Christmas. Is it a 1951? I would
prefer a 1939 V-12 Convertible but sometimes one has to settle. Could this photo have been
taken at the Packard factory in Detroit? Maybe but lack of snow seems odd.
To the left is 1928 Packard Six Convertible Coupe
- offered as a present to purchase for some lucky
guy or gal. In 28 this Packard sold for about
$2,700.00. In 2013 dollars this would be around
$36,486.00. Now it would run around $150,000 or
more in mint condition.
The average annual
household income in 1928 was $2,300.00 and the
average annual laborer wage was about
$1,600.00.
Packard produced 28,334 of this
model in 1928. Wonder how many are still
around? The eight cylinder model cost over a
thousand dollars more than the six.
The holiday season depicted below left seems very
wintery with at least five Packards gathered for a
party in an upscale neighborhood. The car is a
1930 model 745 Roadster Convertible. It is the
dead of winter and three of the cars are
convertibles and it appears the windows are down.
People then were of a sturdier stock than today
perhaps.
They drove their Packard to the party
because they had nothing better to drive. Do you
suppose this photo was taken at the Henry Joy
home in Groose Pointe? The house looks too small
to me.
Henrys’ home at Fair
Acres is shown at the
left in a summer setting.
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December 2013
Here we have a 1941 Packard 110 Deluxe Model Family Sedan with the rear seat loaded to the
gills with christmas gifts. I wonder if the trunk is full also. The 1941 MSRP for this Packard was
$1,136.00.
THE PACKARD BELOW SAYS IT ALL. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
TO ALL OF YOU FROM YOUR PACKARD BOARD.
Phil Pizzuto won the free dinner.
Double Six
San Diego Region Predictor
The mystery automobile is a 1932 Daimler
Page3
December 2013
CHRISTMAS PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT
Steve Ross
DECEMBER 7, 2013
I know it seems like Christmas was just last week to some of us. By popular demand we are returning
to the Lazy H Steak House in Pauma Valley where we have reserved the main dining room for our
party this year. The “Chinese” gift exchange will be the highlight of our party. That means each
person, who wants to participate, brings a gift valued at $25.00 or less. For those who may not have
had this experience it is a lot of fun. We are serving your choice of Prime Rib of Beef, Red Snapper or
a Veggie meal with chef's choice for dessert. This event is one our best attended so get your
reservation in early. The cost for this year is same as last year, $35.00.
Number in party:
(
) X $35.00
Menu selection:
Prime Rib, Number (
Red snapper:
Number (
Veggie:
Number (
Time:
12:00 P.M.
)
)
)
Deadline for reservation: December 1, 2013
Send check made out to PI San Diego Region to Steve Ross, 16151 Fruitvale Rd., Valley Center,
CA 92082. Questions, contact Steve at 619-508-3925 or [email protected]
Drive your Packard and win a free beverage of your choice.
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December 2013
ON
THE
AGAIN
ROAD
Packards were on the road
headed for the MercedesBenz Classic Center in Irvine
California. Pictured on the
left is Brian Wagner at speed
on the I-5 headed north to
Irvine.
A group of us met
up at the usual rendezvous,
the Macaroni Grill, for a
0830 departure. We had an
interesting
lot
including
Packarda, a Mercedes Benz
and a Chevy pickup. The
Chevy was our sweep vehicle. Our drivers were Brian Wagner, Yours Truly, Tom O’hara
driving 1951 Mercedes-Benz 170S. Tom's 1934 “1101” Convertible Sedan Packard is in
the hospital now receiving a rebuilt engine. Paul Erlich drove his Chevy. Arriving in the
Classic Center after an uneventful drive we were surprised at the number of people
already there. The Mercedes-Benz folks had been invited to join us and they were there
in force. Don Hull - President of Packards International Motor Car Club, Robert Escalante
- PI Board of Regents, Cal Soest - Tech Advisor on the SOCAL Region Board, and Tom
Scheil - PI Board of Regents and Chief Judge, joined us for the tour.
Carol
Ross,
our
unofficial
photographer, in her attempt to
capture the Coromonts all lined up
caught an Auburn in the process
There
were
more
packards
parked in back of the center.
Pictured below is an early Benz
Auto whch is very similar to the
one that Jessie Vincent modified
to run in the Indy 500 in 1915 and
won.
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December 2013
As you may recall Jesse Vincent was the Chief Engineer of Packard Motor Car Company.
The story of this association was the Subject of an earlier Predictor issue. The Benz
was driven by Ralph DePalma. Michael Kuntz the Director of the Mercedes-Benz classic
Center told us that occasionally they receive parts that are packaged marked
Studebaker-Packard-Mercedes Benz. This occurs because the Classic Center restores
Mercedes, Benz and Mercedes-Benz automobiles going back as far as 1915 and earlier.
Studebaker-Packard was the official Mercedes-Benz distributors from 1958 to 1966.
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December 2013
PACKARDS
GO TO SCHOOL
Four vintage Packards
went back to school on
Friday November 1 at
the invitation of Mr.
Phil Pizzuto a member
of our Packard Club
and a Social Science
Teacher
at
the
elementary School on
the Camp Pendleton
Marine Base.
The
purpose
was
to
provide students the
opportunity to view
living history and for the Packards and their to keepers see what modern times in an
elementary school were like. FDR was president when all of these Packards were “born”
in Detroit, Michigan.
Going from left to right the visiting Packards are Mr. Pizzuto’s
1939 120 Touring Sedan, The Ross's 39 Super 8 Touring Sedan, Brian Wagner’s 1940
120 Touring Sedan and the star of the group Schauer’s 1934 award winning Standard 8
Sedan. We met at the Schauer Estate to begin our journey to Camp Pendleton and
proceeded up the I-5 at a good clip with the '34 Packard in the lead.
Our chase car was a vintage 280SE
Mercedes-Benz driven by Carol Ross. We
received a few toots from the eighteen
wheelers along the way.
Phil and Carol and discuss the parking of the automobiles as the students decide what to look
at first
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December 2013
Carol and Phil telling the girls about
the cars and what the big deal was.
Brian and Richard consult the cell for their position?
The students were very interested in the in the Packards as were the many U.S
Marines who were there assisting in the festivities for the kids. Some of the Marines
shared memories of their Grandpa or relative who had an old car. It is most rewarding
to share the history of the cars with the new generation. We were given a tour of the
school by Phil Pizzuto and met many of the teachers.
We were treated to pizza and Caesars Salad and a variety of chips and we were joined
by several US Marines.
Phil gave us a tour of his class room which was very impressive. Phil has a unique
method of teaching social science and history. He has actual newspapers of the era
when the event was happening such as when WWI began, presidential elections and
other important dates in history up to the present. His approach to teaching what can
be a boring subject for young people, and certainly was to me, makes the subject “come
alive” as if it were happening now. It obvious, to me, that he has a passion for history
and enjoys sharing his ardor with his students.
This is the third year we have gone to the school and it is always a fun experience.
Perhaps we will be invited back next year.
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December 2013
Another view of stately Packards. As is many time the case the Packards provide some
excitement. The Schauer Packard on the right above decided not to play nice, thank
God it wasn’t the Yellow Peril again, and was sharing gasoline with the world. It
appeared that the carburetor float was sticking causing fuel to gush profusely into the
engine compartment. Although the ole gal ran OK at speed the extra fuel was
considered to be hazard and AAA was summoned. When AAA arrived sometime later in
a pickup we knew there had been a failure to communicate. The AAA driver was told the
car needed a jump to start. He called the dispatcher for a flat bed and we all stood
around chatting about the virtues of AAA and the towing business. By this time the
festivities are winding down and people are departing. Carol had to get home as she
was working early the next day and I had to go as well because the Yellow Perils running
lights may not function all the time. We left Richard, Brian and Phil waiting for AAA
proceeded back to Valley Center without incident.
AAA did show up and everyone
arrived home safely. Below is a 1929 Packard tow truck. Richard turned it down for a flatbed
Below a 1913 Packard tow truck. Richard Turned it down as well
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December 2013
America’s Packard Museum
The Citizens Motorcar Co.,
Dayton, Ohio
By: Richard Schaue
As many of you know I recently retired.
What better time for an “adventure”? A good
friend and former co-worker Sean McNew
planned a trip to Dayton to consummate the
purchase of his “brand new” 1931 Pierce
Arrow coupe w/rumble seat…and asked:
wanna’ go? Let’s see: a long road trip, dragging a large trailer, poor sleep, food on the
run, weather issues, “scattered showers (Schauers???)”, YES, sign me up!!!! The road
East was filled with side adventures, including a memory lane drive along old Highway
66, a side trip to the Grand Canyon, a belt busting steak lunch at The Big Texan, lunch
at the foot of the Gateway Arch, and in 4 days we arrived at our destination.
Dayton, Ohio is home of America’s Packard Museum, housed in the old Packard
dealership on South Ludlow St. Built in 1917 as a Packard dealership it was called The
Citizens Motorcar Co. Clearly visitors can see the show room, offices, garage/repair
shop, and heavy duty car lift to the second story where autos and parts were
warehoused. The Packard sign on the exterior is still a beautiful sight to see after so
many decades.
The fee was waived because Sean had his Pierce in tow, sort of a Quid Quo Pro
situation, i.e. let us look at your Pierce and you guys can come inside. The hour was
late, so there was no time to waste inside. Cars were moved aside to make room in the
show room for a wedding scheduled for that evening. As we left the wedding party
arrived. What better place to get married than in a Packard show room? Ok, I can think
of a few places, but it would make for a memorable wedding to get married at the
museum.
Not all the 50 cars on display had placards explaining their history. Many cars needed
dusting. But there is some very nice iron and steel to be seen there. Included is one
non-Packard, a Duesenberg owned at one time by actor Tyrone Power.
tyrone Power
and his 1931
“Dusey”
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December 2013
1948 Henney Hearse
Scene from the Godfather
Also parked there is a 1948 Henney hearse
used in The Godfather film. Other cars include
a beautiful 1939 custom bodied limo, a ’53
sedan modified into an “El Camino”, a
Packarino. This was done by the last director
of the Packard distributorship for reasons
unknown; the sheet metal work was pretty
good, but I don’t know anyone who would do
that job today.
1930 Model 745 Boattail Roadster
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December 2013
Jesse Vincent’s 1928 Speedster
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December 2013
a rare 1928 Hibbard-Darrin convertible sedan
1932 Murphy bodied phaeton
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December 2013
1914 4-48 runabout with mother-in-law’s seat in the back.
The museum should be added to folks’ bucket list.
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December 2013
The American Daimler Mercedes
Steve Ross
What do Steinway Pianos, Daimler and
Mercedes have in common? One is inclined to
say probably nothing but in fact they have a lot
in common. Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg was
born in Germany in 1797. Due to unrest in
Europe during the Napoleonic wars he and one
of his sons came to America in 1850. When he
came to America Heinrich changed the family
name to Steinway. Although not a musician he
had a talent for making musical instruments.
After arriving in America he and his sons went to work for a piano company and in 1853
founded The Steinway and Sons Company. So how did the Steinways and Gottlieb
Daimler get involved with the automobile? There are several versions of how they got
together. One story is that William Steinway and Gottlieb Daimler become acquainted
through William Maybach who, during the World’s Fair in Philadelphia, visited his brother
an employee of Steinway. William Maybach was the Chief engineer for Daimler Motors
at that time and he went on to start his own
company building very high end cars as well
engines for the Graf Zeppelins. Daimler-Benz
built what some called the ultimate luxury car
named the Maybach until this 2012 when
production was ceased. There are at least three
versions of the story, depending on whom you
choose to believe. One version: Wilhelm Maybach
brother was a Steinway employee and spoke
highly of the company to him. Another: Gottlieb
Daimler was a member of a traveling mannerchor
(Mens Choir) and saw a Steinway piano in New
York and made acquaintance with Steinway. Steinway’s official story is that, while
traveling through his home country in 1888, co-founder William Steinway heard that
Daimler was developing horseless carriages, visited the firm, and subsequently took a
Daimler motorcycle on a very satisfactory tour of Germany. In any case on October 6,
1888 a contract was signed between Steinway and Daimler to build Daimler engines and
cars. Daimler had only built his first car two years earlier in 1886. The company was
named the Daimler Motor Company. They were primarily a stationary engine company
for marine engines and very few cars. They were considered a boutique car company
and may have built only a few cars but no one seems to know for sure. In 1896
Steinway sold the Company to General Electric where the name continued on producing
some light trucks and between 1905 and 1907 some cars. In 1997 at the La Jolla
Concours d’Elegance I saw and photographed a Steinway Daimler. Since this was predigital, for me, I have not found the photo but I am still looking.
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December 2013
Not Much trunk space here
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December 2013
Cal Soest checks out the works. Nope it is not a Packard!
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December 2013
This is an advertisement for the American Daimler Mercedes that ran in 1906. It had
top speed of 50 MPH with a 6.8 liter (415 CI) 4 cylinder engine developing 40-45 HP and
a four speed transmission. The first unit sold in 1906 and was painted red. Success was
short lived. In 1907 a fire destroyed eight completed Mercedes plus 40 more under
construction and the factory was closed thus ending the American Mercedes saga
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December 2013
WHY A TOOL KIT?
Does your up-to-date freeway cruiser have a
tool kit? I bet you it does not. As best I can
determine late model cars do not come with a
tool kit. You will have a jack hidden away
somewhere and a wheel that passes as a spare.
For that matter what good would it do us
anyway? Can you see or find the engine in your
car? Many of the new autos permit you to check
the oil and water and that is it. I think we can
still add coolant but not even sure about that.
Some of the cars don’t even have an engine but
propel us down the road with an electric motor.
A Rolls Royce tool kit. Brit cars need a lot of help!
So why did the old cars have a tool kit? Because you needed them!! In fact many of
the tools were actually much more than a kit but might be considered an complete tool
box by todays standards. As most of us Packard folks know vintage cars can fail to
proceed. Back in the day either you or your chauffer had better know the rudimentary
elements and functions of the automobile.
Ferrari Tool Kit
A 1920’s Packard tool. Note only the
Packard has a hammer. I have one in the YP
Mercedes-Benz tool kit like the one that came in the 80's and 90's
cars.
Tool kits began to go by the way side I think in the mid or
late 30ies. European cars continued to provide tool kits up
until the late 90ies.
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December 2013
2013
ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
Listed below are all tours and events officially sponsored by the San Diego Region of Packards
International Motor Car Club for the balance of 2013. Also included are National PI events sponsored
by PI headquarters or one of its regions. You must be a member of Packards International Motor Car
Club to attend the events listed.
Click on any of the event descriptions shown in blue text to see more information about the location or
setting of the tour.
Month
Date
Event Description
Location
Tour Director
December
7
Christmas Party @ Lazy H Ranch
Valley Center
Steve Ross
January 2014
1
Brunch at Hotel del Coronado
San Diego
Steve Rose
January 2014
11
Planning Meeting: San Diego
Police Museum
San Diego
The Board and
Members
PLEASE LET YOUR PRESIDENT OR ANY BOARD MEMBER
KNOW OF THE EVENTS OR TOURS YOU WOULD LIKE TO
SEE FOR NEXT YEAR. DID WE DO ANYTHING IN 2013
YOU LIKED? IF SO LET US KNOW AND WE WILL
REPEAT IF POSSIBLE. OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE IT LIKE
YOU LIKE IT!
SEE PAGE 1 OF YOUR PREDICTOR FOR CONTACT
INFORMATION.
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December 2013