Packard Motors, an American luxury automobile company that first produced automobiles in 1899, is on the verge of manufacturing vehicles in Ohio.

One of the “Three Ps” – alongside Peerless Motor Company and Pierce-Arrow – the Packard Motor Car Company gained a reputation for building high-quality luxury automobiles pre-WWII.

“Owning a Packard was considered prestigious, and surviving examples are found in museums, car shows, and automobile collections,” Wikipedia writes.

“Packard vehicles featured innovations, including the modern steering wheel, air-conditioning in a passenger car, and one of the first production 12-cylinder engines, adapted from developing the Liberty L-12 engine used during World War I to power warplanes,” it added.

“The handmade vehicles were exported in record numbers to Europe and competed successfully with Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz,” Cleveland.com states.

“After surviving two world wars and the swings of the auto market, the last true Packard rolled off the assembly line on June 25, 1956. The company closed in 1958 after a failed strategic takeover of Studebaker Corporation,” Packard Motors writes.

Now, a 1934-style convertible could bring the company back to life.

“Packard Motors is the revival of the Packard Motor Car Company. We predict your pleased surprise the first time you experience our extraordinary combination of exclusive American style and market-defining inventions. We believe you will be just as pleased by Packard’s prestigious timepieces. See how luxury auto-making was defined in the show of cars below and visit us for the experience of a lifetime,” Packard Motors writes on its website.

From Packard Motors:

Packard Motors is an American luxury car and timepiece manufacturer based in Medina, Ohio USA. Founded by Mr. Scott Andrews in 2019, the company is continuing the rich history and first class standards of the Packard Motor Car Company founded in 1899. Throughout its history, Packard has been noted for its continued participation in motor engineering and fine quality, with many electrical and automotive engineering firsts and vast American heritage. Packard road cars are generally seen as the American symbol of speed, luxury, and wealth. To date, Packard is revered as the world’s most inspiring automotive brand throughout modern history. Join us as we embark on a new beginning in the automotive industry.

Cleveland.com provided additional details about the revival story:

But how did this revival come to be? Why Packard? Why Medina?

The opening scene of this story began in 2019, when internet consultant Scott Andrews was driving to a job and saw a car for sale on the side of the road. He was intrigued by the look of the car, but didn’t recognize the brand.

He called his father, a lifelong auto mechanic.

“Have you ever heard of Packard?” he asked.

His father was astonished that they had never discussed the iconic American luxury automobile. And the adventure began.

Andrews, who grew up in Brook Park and lives in Chagrin Falls, learned that Packard was not only an American car, but was created in Warren, Ohio — home of the National Packard Museum.

“I fell in love with the Packard history,” he said. “What really impressed me was that most of the innovations made in the automobile were patented and brought to the market by Packard.”

Inventor James Ward Packard joined his older brother William Doud Packard in founding the Packard Electric Company in 1890, where they manufactured incandescent carbon arc lamps.

The brothers then formed a partnership with Winton Motor Carriage Company investor George L. Weiss, called Packard & Weiss, in 1893. The first Packard automobile was released in 1899. The company was renamed the Packard Motor Car Company in 1902.

Here comes another of those made-for-TV moments: Andrews has a very unusual hobby. He is a watchmaker.

“Most people spend their spare time watching TV or resting. I make watches,” he said.

His father was astonished that they had never discussed the iconic American luxury automobile. And the adventure began.

Andrews, who grew up in Brook Park and lives in Chagrin Falls, learned that Packard was not only an American car, but was created in Warren, Ohio — home of the National Packard Museum.

“I fell in love with the Packard history,” he said. “What really impressed me was that most of the innovations made in the automobile were patented and brought to the market by Packard.”

Andrews collaborated with his friend, Steve Constantino, on the prospect of building new versions of 1930s Packards.

“They found a company in Nebraska that makes all the parts for those particular vehicles. Andrews researched and now owns the legal rights to the Packard brands, patents and trademarks, which was a major step in moving forward,” Cleveland.com writes.

Cont. from Cleveland.com:

The men began working 12 hours a day to hand-make the 1934 convertible that stands at the center of the store. It was completed and moved the day before the ribbon cutting.

If you stand outside, you can see how it stops people in their tracks as they walk by.

They are now working with city leaders to open a manufacturing facility in Medina.

Constantino noted that the iconic Packard will be available with the latest technology in engines, with myriad options to make each vehicle truly unique.

“The philosophy is to listen to the prospective buyer and learn what they want and what they love and use it so the vehicle becomes an expression of their own personality,” Constantino said. “Tailor-made.”

Read the full report at Cleveland.com.

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.


We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.