Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hello,

Robert Bosch Corp. is seeking a picture of the 1925 packard limousine that Jessie Cummins installed his diesel in and set a record as first diesel installed in an automobile Chistmas day 1929 ;and went on se record by doing trip on Januay 06, 1930 from Indiana to New York. (picture from the January 06 day or therabout would be most appreciated).

Thanks,

JMM
johnmereness@aol.com

My quick google search suggests you are actually looking for CLESSIE LYLE CUMMINS AND A 1926 PACKARD.

FIND THIS PICTURE AT THE FOLLOWING SITE:


Clessie Lyle Cummins and Cummins Diesel Engines

allpar.com/corporate/bios/cummins.html

Dan Leininger
Sioux Falls, SD

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The Packard pictured is a phaeton in one of the Nordic countries, not the car Cummins installed his diesel engine in. That Packard was a sedan or limousine.

According to the story on this website Clessie Cummins fitted two (at least, maybe more) Packards with diesel engines.

I am not familiar with the history. Google just found a picture labeled "PackardDiesel." Don't know how or why it was labeled thus?

Sorry, know it's waaaaaay but I couldn't resist. My '41 is consuming a lot of oil, so maybe it's a diesel?

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MORE
We could dust your 41 for Clessie Cummins' fingerprints!
(oily fingerprints)

I once had a 51 chevy that used (leaked) oil. It consumed 1 quart oil every 300 miles. So I kept a gallon of 'reclaimed' oil in the trunk (non-detergent). The engine held 6 qts, so i considered it an "automatic-continuous-oil-change" every 1800 miles. Drove it through 3 years os college.

I later had a 1980 Chevy "gas-converted-diesel." That's a whole new forum however. (I should have named it 'Clessie'.

DanL

Oz,

Just SAW your picture label '41 Diesel'

Clessie Cummins in late November or early December 1929 went to Indianapolis and purchased a 1925 Packard. Clessie and his Donovan and a mechanic work for three weeks working day and night to install the diesel engine in the Packard.

The Packard was driven on Christmas morning by Clessie over to the mansion of William G. Irwin who was the richest man in Columbus at the time.

John F. Shireman

Clessie started his famous trip from a place called the Indianapolis Plaza. The Hoosier Motor club sealed the fuel tank on the Packard.

Clessie drove the 800 cold bitter miles by himself with no heater in the car. On Monday Clessie arrived at the Roosevelt Hotel at 4 PM.

As we all know the car covered the 800 miles averaging 35 miles per gallon> I did some math and figured the Packard used 22.85 gallons of diesel fuel costing six cents a gallon.


John F. Shireman

John and Gerd,

Fascinating history and diesel-link. You two have a wealth of information/history!

Packard-Cummins design similarities make sense. Back then every innovative mechanic was improving someone else's creation.

Didn't J W Packard himself get in the car business after insulting Winton(?) with a long list of suggested improvements for for the 'Winton' buggy?
I believe Winton's response was along the lines of, "If you think you can make a better car, go right ahead."

John, you've retold most of this history before:

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... &forum=4&post_id=7249#forumpost7249

DanL