Re: 1925 Packard Trip Research

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2008/7/22 19:23:13

Mapquest's estimate is an average speed of 64MPH. I doubt you could do it that fast today.

In 1926 in a Packard I would estimate 10 or 12 hours which would be an average of 35 to 45 MPH including stops for meals, fuel, etc.

The roads were good in that section of the country. I know that in Canada Hwy 2 had recently been paved with concrete at that time, my grandfather helped pave it. This was in the early 20s. Old timers have told me what a thrill it was to let their cars out on the smooth concrete at 70 to 80 MPH, compared to the old dirt or gravel roads.

Most of the old concrete has been covered up but I can show you 1 or 2 short sections where it was bypassed. The road was narrower than today's typical 2 lane road.

The Ontario Provincial Police had motorcycle patrolmen on the hiways but did not have patrol cars yet. But speed limit enforcement was not as strict as it is today. And population density was less than half what it is now. If you wanted to "make time" between towns you could do so safely, especially at night when there was almost no traffic.

Normal comfortable cruising speed would be 45 to 50 MPH, but in a Packard you could go faster if you wanted to.Up to 60 without undue strain.

Top speed of a 1926 Packard would be 80 to 85 MPH but that would really be "flying low" and not sustainable for very long. The car would do it, but it would be like going over 120 MPH in today's cars. Neither comfortable nor safe.

On a trip like that the Packard would average around 15 MPG. Assuming a 20 gallon tank, it would require at least one refuelling stop on the way. Probably 2, if the driver was prudent.

These would probably coincide with a meal stop.

I don't know what the weather was like in March 1926 but cars in those days had no heaters. So regular stops to warm up would be likely.

Hot tea would be the popular beverage on the Canadian route. Canada is a nation of tea drinkers, even more then than today.

Diners restaurants gas stations and hotels would likely be open between 7 am and 5 or 6pm. Hotel dining rooms possibly as late as 9. I would not expect to find any all night diners restaurants or gas stations.

In a late model car with good tires it would be reasonable to make such a trip without a breakdown or involuntary stop. The driver would likely have the car serviced by a Packard dealer or good garage before such a trip. Cars in those days required more service work than today, an oil change and lubrication every 1000 miles and tuneups twice a year. So it would be sensible to have the car checked over.

Tire life about 5000 miles. Someone who used his car a lot might run up 5000 miles in a year so he might have new tires fitted for the trip too, if the old ones were wearing thin.

A family or older people on a pleasure trip might divide the journey into 2 days and potter along at 30 to 40 MPH. A young blood in a hurry could drive straight through with one or 2 stops for food and gas, and do it in under 10 hours.It would be no problem to do the trip in a day.

That was another thing. In those days journey times varied widely. To a lot of motorists it was quite a bragging point to say "I made it from New York to St. Catherines in 10 hours". Or to try to beat their best time, on a journey they made regularly. "With the new Packard I cut 45 minutes off my best time".

The weather would be more of a factor too. Rain or snow would cut speed considerably. Tires and windshield wipers were not as good as what we are used to, there was also the lack of heater and defroster.

If there was much snow, say an inch or more, tire chains would be de rigeur. They would cut speed to 20 or 25 MPH.

Don't know what else to tell you. There were trip guides and tourist guides published at that time. They would give you the suggested route, describe roads, towns, etc and give a complete itinerary with times to various points along the way.

Perhaps your local library or historical society could help. These trip guides were widely published and I'm sure some of them survive.