Re: Packard Bikes

Posted by Leeedy On 2024/5/24 15:55:56

Had someone ask to see my 1941 Schwinn-Built Packard Autocycle DeLuxe. I bought this Packard Autocycle DeLuxe in Washington State from a Packard automobile owner (a rather famous one) in the early 1970s.

While I have posted some images in the past here is another for your viewing pleasure. This Packard bicycle is equipped with front and rear expander brakes (with drum hubs and brake shoes). It also has...
• original twin electric headlights
• original illuminated speedometer built into the aluminum crossbar
• built-in electric horn
• key-locking front "Knee-Action" front suspension fork
• U.S Royal Master balloon whitewall tires
• Two-tone green paint with red pinstriping (most of which is original paint and all of which is original colors and patterns)
• Original ornamentation

By the way, the chromed rear carrier on this model uses the same Sunbeam-type glass reflector that was used in the center of some tail light lenses of 1930s Packard automobiles! Yes. By the way, that's not a scratch on the green rear fender... it is a reflection.

You can look all this up in the original literature if you are lucky enough to have it.

All of the Autocycle DeLuxe models are rare today. However, they continue to climb in value, often surpassing vintage Packard automobiles! Prices for some top-of-the-line Schwinn-Built prewar bicycles are on a very steep rise again. Just recently someone wrote to inquire about a mid-1930s Schwinn Aerocycle. I responded and the person decided to buy it. Problem is... at $30,000, the bicycle was already quickly SOLD. According to the story, there were others still calling to buy it! Now.... that's worth paying attention.

Photos courtesy of Leon Dixon / National Bicycle History Archive of America
(NBHAA.com)