Packard Forum Index » General

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And... here is some of our original literature for one of several versions of these Packard pedal cars. There was a whole series of these made with amazing, varying details.

Also note in the details that this one has real suspension, windshield wiper, tilt steering wheel, adjustable spotlight, combination tail light and brake light... and more. Oooo! It also had a special sound effects device called a "Hummer" (no relationship to the modern military vehicle) to make it SOUND like a motorcar!

Original literature courtesy of National Bicycle History Archive of America (NBHAA.com).

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Adjusted for inflation $36.00 in the mid 20's would be around $600 today.

A few more pedal cars and Blue Streak ads.

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  1936 PAPER AD Toledo Blue Streak.jpg (113.36 KB)

Great stuff... we also have numerous Toledo "Blue Streak Line" catalogues. Some are in magnificent color!

And now... back to Packard bicycles. From 1937 and a bicycle wholesale-distributor's (W-D) catalogue. Here is a Colson-built deluxe balloon model that was specially-badged PACKARD.

Colson was located for many years in Elyria, Ohio and was famous for making high-quality bicycles as well as industrial casters, hospital equipment, automotive components and more.

Some folks who believe they are knowledgable about Colson will argue the year (the internet is a home for endless arguing). But the catalogue is the catalogue and when the W-D sold it is indisputable. So? It is what it is. Collectors today presume that all bicycles made by certain manufacturers have to look like and be equipped in lock-step with what the manufacturer's brand did. Not true. W-Ds did whatever they wanted. So it is useless to expect a W-D model like Packard made by Colson to look exactly like and be equipped exactly like the manufacturer's line of Colson. Colson-made is not Colson.

Some will also look at the specs and note that the coaster brake is listed as "optional"... and jump to conclusions. But what this really meant was the brand of coaster brake was optional. The option was New Departure, Morrow or Musselman brands.

The printing on this page was not the best but was indicating the standard color of maroon. Optional was blue as indicated.

The hornlight shown looks like those supplied by Delta Electric (they also made electrical components for real Packard Motor Car Company Packards). But in reality, the hornlight supplied for these bicycles was made by E.A. Laboratories.

Grips were what was known as Champion grips and today commonly referred to as "Coke-bottle" grips. So pervasive has this terminology become that some re-poppers have taken to making handlebar grips that look like scrunched-up Coca-Cola bottles!

Image is courtesy of National Bicycle History Archive of America which has thousands of original bicycle catalogues and advertisements.

Sold for $20,250 on 4/16/22

bringatrailer.com/listing/1933-packard-twelve-roadster/

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  33 Packard 12 Pedal Car.jpg (162.85 KB)

Packard pedal car, at the Museum of American Speed, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Neat -- but for that money I could buy a few "real" Packards...

I'm not sure what is happening. Maybe it is computer monitors. Maybe it is a growing number of folks with vision issues. Maybe it is merely a case of old age. But I increasingly keep reading descriptions of what clearly looks to be ORANGE described as "RED"...! When did this start?

I see the pedal car here with the Bowman & Schwartz-looking spear is described as "RED"... huh?

A while back someone insisted to me that a 1956 Caribbean had a "RED" stripe. But then I saw the car and realized the stripe was Naples Orange. Somebody in this poor car's history got so carried away that they re-upholstered the interior out of RED leather (gulp!). A ghastly sight to behold...

AND... Not long ago I had someone insist to me that the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco is "RED." Got hot under the collar about it too! But anyone who knows that bridge should be aware that the color is "International Orange."

So are we experiencing mass hallucinations? Or what?

Had someone ask to see my 1941 Schwinn-Built Packard Autocycle DeLuxe. I bought this Packard Autocycle DeLuxe in Washington State from a Packard automobile owner (a rather famous one) in the early 1970s.

While I have posted some images in the past here is another for your viewing pleasure. This Packard bicycle is equipped with front and rear expander brakes (with drum hubs and brake shoes). It also has...
• original twin electric headlights
• original illuminated speedometer built into the aluminum crossbar
• built-in electric horn
• key-locking front "Knee-Action" front suspension fork
• U.S Royal Master balloon whitewall tires
• Two-tone green paint with red pinstriping (most of which is original paint and all of which is original colors and patterns)
• Original ornamentation

By the way, the chromed rear carrier on this model uses the same Sunbeam-type glass reflector that was used in the center of some tail light lenses of 1930s Packard automobiles! Yes. By the way, that's not a scratch on the green rear fender... it is a reflection.

You can look all this up in the original literature if you are lucky enough to have it.

All of the Autocycle DeLuxe models are rare today. However, they continue to climb in value, often surpassing vintage Packard automobiles! Prices for some top-of-the-line Schwinn-Built prewar bicycles are on a very steep rise again. Just recently someone wrote to inquire about a mid-1930s Schwinn Aerocycle. I responded and the person decided to buy it. Problem is... at $30,000, the bicycle was already quickly SOLD. According to the story, there were others still calling to buy it! Now.... that's worth paying attention.

Photos courtesy of Leon Dixon / National Bicycle History Archive of America
(NBHAA.com)