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I found some performance figures for pre-war cars.

____________________ 0-60____ SS 1/4_____ Top
______________________________ mile_____ Speed____ Mileage

1930 Caddy 16__________20.2____21.5@63______________5-8

1929 Auburn 8
Boatail Speedster________16.5____20.5@66______________9-13

1928 Stutz
Roadster_______________20.5____22.5@62____79.2______9-11

1934 Packard 12________19.2____21.5@63_____90_______8-10

1932 Packard
904 Phaeton____________20.2

I also found some numbers indicating that, far from being a slouch, the 55-56 Packard with Ultramatic was as fast as the 61 Oldsmobile 88. Aside from service problems, the torque converter trans mostly gave the illusion of being slower due to the smoothness of the unit. However, the Hydramatic outperformed both the Ultramatic and the Torque-Flite.

As I mentioned previously, the much maligned Rolls PIII was actually faster through the traps than the Packard 12 for the same reason.

Modestly interesting. It would be nice to have some Marmon V16 and Pierce Arrow V12 data for comparison, though without out knowing road weights and axle ratios it's open to all kinds of conjecture.

The standard axle ratio in the Cadillac open cars was 4.38 same as Packard, but the V-16's weighed in probably a half ton heavier than the Packard 12 thanks to their super duty chassis. They were built like tanks.