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Does the 1918 truck have a GMC engine?

A couple of months ago, while at our local donut shop car show on Sat mornings, I was approached by man who's family has one of these trucks in storage. He said it came with a GMC engine as the gov't contract was made in such a way that Packard provided the frames and GM the drive train. Is this true?

Barry

Not true. Packard trucks were all powered by Packard-designed and Packard-built engines. I'm not even sure there was a GM truck division during WWI, maybe someone wants to check this out. Didn't GM's GMC truck division come about later with the purchase of the Grabowsky Motors truck company?

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Steve, my guess it that difference in heights is due to the 37's low and flat windshield where the 40's is taller and divided leading to a higher roof/top line. Personally, I prefer pre-38 convertible and sedan with the chopped windshield look.

(o{}o)

As to the '38 Twelve convertible victoria by Derham pictured in post #9, you might want to try to get your hands on CCCA's The Classic Car, issue of Spring 2015. Nearly the entire issue was devoted to Packard coach-built convertible victorias; informative text and good photo coverage of 10 or more of the finest examples including the '38 Derham accompany each. Coachbuilders featured include LeTourneur & Marchand, Franay, Rollston, Graber, Dietrich, Waterhouse, Derham, LeBaron and Brunn.

The '38 Derham, while severely restrained and conservative, comes across far better in person that in photos - truly a take your breath away car. Though it's hard single single out just one other, the '37 Twelve (Rollston) owned by Dave Kane is also very uncommon in that it's built on the long 1508 chassis with a low windscreen and roof line.

Hope you can get your hands on that issue and enjoy it.

Below, a photo of the '37 Rollston 1508 taken this spring at The Packard Experience at the Gilmore. Adjacent is the ex-Al Jolson Dietrich, also owned by Dave Kane (pictured).

PS - added a side view taken by Bob Gluck. This view shows the proportions much better.

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I think the 38 Derham is a great restoration. If you don't like the way they built it in 1938 then buy a different car.

That is a looooong car. I think it looks great. Did the long wheelbase give the backseat passengers more room?

Hi BDC

I recall looking into the rear seat area of that '37 Rollston at a show years ago. Much more legroom than the production convertible Victoria of the same year, but a bit cave-like. Frankly, that car could benefit from a quarter window not only for the rear seat passengers but for better design balance between the rectangular door window and the top mass. And this is from someone who loves the blind-quartered convertible Victoria!

Here's a couple more details of the '38 Derham:

Steve

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I agree. The '37 Rollston blind quarter is as large as a football field and the design would benefit greatly with a quarter window. Congratulations for getting photos of the Derham car with the top up. It looks so much better that way (less bathtub-looking). All the photos in the CCCA magazine show it with the top down.