Re: The History of Packard

Posted by Packard53 On 2009/3/14 20:38:31

The first Packard to be a Indy 500 Pace Car was a 1915 Packard Model 5-48. This 5-48 was hardly a stock Packard. The Pace car was equiped with a 1914 model 2-38 six cylinder engine and a carburetor from a 1915 Model 3-38.

The Packard pace car was driven by Indy Speedway President Carl G. Fisher, who also had a Packard dealership in Indianapolis located at 400 North Capital Avenue. It is stated that Fisher prefered light colors and had the Packard Pace car painted white. The car was on display at his dealership for several weeks before the race.

This same Packard was also the pace car for the last race held at Indy before WW I. This race was the Harvest Racing Classic held on September 9, 1916.

John F. Shireman