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

The smaller race car (on the left in the photo of two cars) is, I believe, the Packard 122, built by a Packard engineering team that included Robert De Palmer for the 1923 Indy race. As I recall the team of 3 cars qualified well but then failed early during the race due largely to very limited development and testing time available because of holdups in the project.

I understand that after the race Packard were so disillusioned by the results that they canned the project and destroyed all their records. Now all that remains is a collection of press reports & photos.

There is quite a lot of info on this car available on the web if you do a search and the link below is a good one to start with.

king-of-the-boards.com/Packard%20International%20DePalma%20and%20Packard.pdf

We will have to stay in touch as I am also planning a 1930s 'speedster' project.

All the best.

Matt.

Hello,

I am thinking about building a speedster styled open car. I have this cowl, the odd radiator shell, a couple of frames (mostly early Ford, and a line on a Chevy and Essex)... also other odds and ends. My idea is a "Privateer" style open car. So I would narrow the stock cowl while retaining the signature "Packard Shape"... full hood, belly burner pipes, open wheels, but just wide enough for 2 skinny people or one "Big Guy".
I have a couple of late 30's early 40's hoods and some rear fenders to fabricate a "Tail" section.
Really simple and minimalistic.
As a Packard admirer, I love the brand! However, to me the big racecars don't please my eye. I still love 'em..... but I like the little 122 better for my tastes...

Don't get me wrong though..... the BIG cars with a 12 get me heart racing! I would love to get the opportunity to hear/see one run!!!!

Sounds like a great project to me! Here in Australia we can race in such cars so long as they use only pre-war parts & technology and represent a car or group of cars that ran in the preiod. It is called Group K and has resulted in the construction/preservation of many prewar 'specials' including the 1927 Amilcar/Willys special that I race and my fathers S/C Willys special.