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Now... moving on to 1939. A Pennsylvania store named "Schenk & Tittle" out of Harrisburg sold Packard AND Colson bicycles.
Here is an original advertisement from 1939 listing both Colson and Packard bicycles. Note that THESE Colsons and Packard bicycles were equipped with CHROME spokes rather than typical cad-plated ones. First class! These days some people want to moosh both bicycles into one, but here is proof that retailers didn't see it that way. In the REAL world. A Colson bicycle was a Colson bicycle. A Colson-BUILT Packard bicycle was a Packard bicycle. Retailers back then understood it –why can't today's collectors? Also note that the ad refers to "Packard Knee Action Bicycles." What was "knee action"? You don't know? Well... The bicycle hobby and people in general have asmnesia about this history. And terminologies in both vintage cars and vintage bicycles have gone berserk since the 1970s. "Knee-action" was once both automotive and bicycle terminology in the USA. However today is the era of made-up terms that defy any existing legacy or tradition. And folks around today (including the "experts") seem to not know any better. What were once generally understood terms (like "custom/customized"..."stock"... "modified" etc,) have been morphed, mooshed and purposely muddied by auction companies, magazines, fast-buck flippers, TV hosts and ultimately confused newbies parroting the new made-up terms back and forth to one another. In cars, what was once considered a "restoration" is now a put-down. If you are doing a genuine restoration and returning a vehicle to the way it was when first made, you are now a "purist" rather than a restorer. And "purist" is now intended as some kind of insult. "Restoration" now has sadly degenerated down to what used to be a "refurbish." These days, a "restoration" is a shiny paint job, a modern crate engine stuffed under the hood and a set of big flashy wheels. REALLY? An "upgrade" used to mean something like going from clear glass to factory tinted glass ... or manual steering to factory power steering. NOW... "upgrade" is considered changing a 1950s/1960s car from original drum brakes to DISC brakes (something Detroit didn't even offer until the 1970s). And a lot of the people doing such stuff will moan, "But it's saaaaaaaafer to have disc brakes in my 1958 Buick or my 1953 Packard!" Yes, well it's safer still to have anti-skid ABS brakes and traction control and air bags. Where does RESTORATION stop and CUSTOMIZING begin? And why is it that nobody today wants to admit that they CUSTOMIZED a vintage car instead of claiming they "restored it" or "upgraded it"? If you messed with your car and created something the factory never made, why not admit it and take credit for your "art"? In the old days, doing such a thing as putting modern stuff on an old car would have been known as "CUSTOMIZING." Pure and simple. Clearly understood. No doublespeak. No mumbo-jumbo. No confusion at all about it. Like putting a 427 V-8 in a Model A Ford. To do such a thing was clearly understood as HOT-RODDING and CUSTOMIZING. But now? In an era when auctions and flippers want to hide that a car has been rodded, customized or otherwise modified and messed with, it's an "upgrade." For some born after the Apollo moon landing, all this silliness makes perfect sense–even if they don't understand what they are actually saying. Wow. Anyway... in vintage American-made bicycles "knee-action" was a commonly understood generic term for front cushion spring forks. Sometime in the 1970s the term "springer" began to get shoved into the mix (heaven knows why). And the term "knee-action" was completely overwhelmed and eventually forgotten. I still say "knee-action" but today's "experts" like those pickin' guys on TV and people who post on DIY web sites insist on calling knee-action by the term, "springer." As in, "Yeah, that old Schwinn has the cool springer fork!" This when even Schwinn called their own fork "knee-action" and never uttered the term, "springer." But today? Who cares? Ignore the original terms and even the original literature. Today? Ignore history. Defy legacy. Make up your own terminology and say whatever you please. It is what it is. And nobody says or does a thing to correct it. Maybe folks today are still hung up thinking about Jerry's TV show, huh? So if you don't know what "knee action Packard bicycle was"... here's why. By the way, if you scroll back in this thread you will also find a company out of Cinci, Ohio offering an aftermarket "Packard Knee-Action" (universal conversion spring fork) for bicycles. Again, proving that most people once knew what "knee-action" on a bicycle (and car) was –as incredible as this may seem today. And again... no Packard automobiles mentioned as being sold with these Packard bicycles again. Awwwww. Where are all the folks who were arguing and raising stinks years ago saying "everybody knows they gave away Packard bicycles to sweeten deals on Packard cars!" Where are those folks who knew so much about Packard bicycles now? Hmmm????? So who else shows you such stuff? Attach file:  PackardBicycles1939PAcopy.jpg (236.04 KB)
Posted on: 2021/10/5 12:38
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Now remember what I told you (and showed you) about Packard bicycles equipped with "knee action"?
Remember what I said that it was once very common for people all over the USA to refer to a front suspension bicycle fork as "knee action"? And NOT "springer" –a term invented in more recent years? The term, "knee action" may be unknown in today's term wilderness, but this was not a regional thing in the USA. Last post showing "knee action" bicycle reference was Pennsylvania. Previous mention of accessory "Packard Knee Action" kit was from Ohio. AND if you look back at Posting #100 in this thread you will note ORIGINAL Schwinn and B.F. Goodrich literature referred to "knee action spring fork..." and that was in the 1930s for all of the Schwinn worshippers down on their knees. Now we move north and west... Here is a 1941 classified advertisement from Fremont, Nebraska. It abbreviates knee action as "knee ac" but people back then knew exactly what it meant. Would people today (including DIY and vintage bicycle "experts") be able to read this ad and know what it means? Heck no. Folks on TV and DIY web sites have everyone indoctrinated into speaking a different language –only people don't realize it. Ohhh... and notice again... NO Packard automobile mentioned. As always, this original ad image courtesy of National Bicycle History Archive of America (NBHAA.com) collection. Attach file: PackardBicycleClassifiedAdKneeActionAndFrtBrake1941Nebraska.jpg (40.71 KB)
Posted on: 2021/10/21 12:06
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Let's jump backward from 1941 to 1939. Another ad for Packard bicycles from 1939 and Fremont, Nebraska. Even if folks today– including the "experts" insist on calling classic American bicycles with front suspension as "springers" nobody did in 1939.
The ad here on the right clearly refers to "Knee-action Packard bicycle" and if you're a loyal reader of this thread, you should know that this means! And just to show that Packard bicycles were simply sold directly out of retail stores ands NOT with Packard automobiles, take a look at this classified advertisement. (original 1939 ad image courtesy of National Bicycle History Archive of American ... NBHAA.com) Attach file: PackardKeeActionBicyclesMorecopy.jpg (126.12 KB)
Posted on: 2021/11/7 13:55
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Now let's move to Philadelphia and the year, 1913. Were there Packard bicycles? Of course there were Packard bicycles! Take a look at this retail store advertisement!
And read the wonderful praise of the two-wheelers. But.... awwww shucks... no mention of the car. And no mention of a "sweetened deal" on a new Packard. So... WHO started these stories??? And why? I've taken you from one end of the country to the other... over many states and many years. And we'll continue... Attach file:  PackardBicycle1913PihllyWM.png (811.91 KB)
Posted on: 2021/12/5 21:18
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Since no one in all these many, many posts has actually come up with a Packard bicycle really and truly connected to Packard automobiles, here is a gem submitted for your New Year approval...
Here is a magazine advertisement in color that Packard ran in 1947. Take a look at "Red Letter Days" item #1 in the upper left-hand corner. Huh? Know what it is? Take a look back at earlier postings in this thread and see if you recognize this red camelback frame bicycle. And note that the red ribbon bow is strategically placed to cover the headbadge on the bicycle. Clever. Of course If you're a loyal reader of this thread, you should recognize the Packard bicycle being depicted here! And you should also know who made it... Attach file: PackardAdvRedBicycle1947.jpg (276.28 KB)
Posted on: 2021/12/31 13:15
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Now... for Colson fans... I've given a little attention to Arnold, Schwinn & Company. But I thought Colson fans might enjoy seeing this photograph from NBHAA.
There are suddenly a lot of folks who like Colson bicycles. And several claiming to be Colson experts. We've been collecting Colson items and artifacts from the factory ever since they were still in business. So we've got a LOT of Colson history and a couple of NOS Colson bicycles. Look back in this thread for photos of some of the Colson-built Packard bicycle headbadges. The Colson Corporation bicycle factory was located in Elyria, Ohio up until it sold off the bicycle business to Evans Products, Inc. of Plymouth, Michigan. Colson's plant was not far from famous bicycle seat maker, Troxel which (during Colson's life span) was also located in Elyria. of course NBHAA has Colson Corporation catalogues, advertisements, dealerbooks and photos from beginning to end... and beyond. This also includes all Evans-Colson catalogues and papers (yes, they made Packard bicycles too!). Shown here is a part of the Colson Corporation bicycle factory in the 1930s. Yes, this is an 8 x 10 glossy factory photo from the sets of photos in the NBHAA Archive. What you see are all components of Packard bicycles. And... what no one may know who views this photo, Colson made everything you see in this photo except for the cardboard boxes and building walls. Colson even made the special handling carts here, the racks and even the special caster wheel assemblies (another Colson specialty). As loyal followers of this thread already know, a huge number of the Packard-branded bicycles were indeed made by Colson... and we have already shown you several... Attach file:  ColsonPackardBicyclesAtFactory.jpeg (287.22 KB)
Posted on: 2022/1/20 13:33
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Remember the pewter Packard cormorant/pelican bicycle accessory bird ornament I showed you earlier in this thread?
Well. Take a look at this 1949 bicycle shop order for four DOZEN! "Birds" on the order form doesn't refer to real birds, but rather to pewter metal Packard-looking bird ornaments for bicycles. Kids in Detroit, Michigan loved them on their bicycles and it appears kids in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania did too! And yes, I've got one on my 1941 Schwinn-Built Packard Autocycle Deluxe (got the bicycle in the early 1970s). Also got one on my 1930s (new old stock) Colson-built Packard (also got it in the 1970s)and other Packard bicycles. Here is a Schwinn-Built prewar girl's Packard (with bird ornament) I had back in the early 1970s... Let's see yours! Attach file: PackardBicycleBirdOrnamentOrder 2 copy.jpeg (290.79 KB) PackardSchwinn-BuiltSIdeVULeeedy view copy.jpeg (66.52 KB)
Posted on: 2022/2/3 22:57
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And... for the hoards of Schwinn-Built fans out there who never cease craving more prewar AS&Co info, let's go to 1940.
This original newspaper ad was published in a March 10th, 1940 Owensboro, Kentucky newspaper. It announces the arrival of a shipment of new Schwinn-Built PACKARD bicycles. Again, as we have told you many times in the past, Packard brand bicycles were sold all over the USA. And, you didn't have to buy a Packard automobile just to get one! Nothing mentioned here about buying a car! Schwinn fans with keen eyes will note that the ad refers to a "freewheel rear hub" instead of a coaster brake. What the ad does not explain in detail is that the reason for no coaster brake and replacement by freewheel is because the Packard bicycles being described here used a REAR DRUM BRAKE. Oooops! With all due respect for the young folks out there today who think the whole world ought to be using disc brakes on everything that rolls. Sorry, but the rear hubs being described in the ad were integral with REAR-mounted DRUM BRAKES. And that was top-of-the-line. Er... these drum brakes came with genuine automotive Raybestos brake linings on the shoes! No pads... SHOES. Yessss, the ultimate arrangement on prewar Schwinn-Built bicycles was twin (front and rear) DRUM brakes. When Schwinn-Built drum brakes were originally introduced in the 1930s, these drum brakes were only available on the front. Thus, they were officially named "Forewheel Brake" by AS&Co. Obviously with these brakes being also later offered on the rear... AS&Co changed the name to "Expander Brake." These drum brakes were available as an extra-cost option on just about any Schwinn-Built bicycle that did not already come standard with these brakes. And...my own fully-optioned 1941 Schwinn-Built Packard Deluxe Autocycle (you can look back in this thread and see it) is of course equipped with dual (front and rear) Expander Brakes with a freewheel built into the rear hub. They came standard on this model. And, as the ad here says, "Ride A Packard And Lead The Parade." What a nice thought, huh? Not DRIVE a Packard, but RIDE a Packard. Real history that actually happened. No guessing. No wild stories. Just real history. Ad is courtesy of National Bicycle History Archive of America (NBHAA.com) Attach file: SchwinnBuiltPackardKentucky1940WM.jpg (42.91 KB)
Posted on: 2022/2/21 10:30
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Ahhh. Now that the Schwinn and Colson fans have been temporarily satiated (if that's possible), here's one to noodle your noodle. Just when you thought you had this Packard Bicycle thing all figured out, eh? But we're not talking Schwinn-Built, Cleveland Welding Company, Colson Corporation, H.P. Snyder or any of the other usual players. How about a Packard bicycle made by Hudson??? LOL.
Yesssss, Hudson Manufacturing Company of Hudson, Michigan made Packard bicycles for a wholesale distributor company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This advertisement ran in January of 1913. Original ad courtesy of National Bicycle History Archive of America (NBHAA.com). Now. Let's sit back and see just how long it takes before stories about getting a free Packard bicycle when you bought a Hudson automobile start popping up! Attach file: PackardBicycleByHudsonJan1913Philly copy.jpg (229.44 KB)
Posted on: 2022/3/11 17:23
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