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

I've seen this badge on a couple of Packards, most recently Bob Valpey's Speedster. Can anyone tell me the history and/or purpose of it. I realize it's possible that it was used for export models, but I'd like to know if anyone knows for sure where or why these were used.
Thanks.

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West, I suggest the best source of information on that would be Bob Valpey or Jim Balfour. I'd be interested in the answer. I'll ask Mr. Balfour about it today.

If I recall correctly, Bob's response was that it was on the car when he got it, and he left it on. I don't think he knows.

Could it be the engine displacement in liters? 6.3 liter is a 3.85

Yes, it's the engine displacement. Giving the engine displacement for US cars destined for export was not at all uncommon though I've never seen it done like that.

West, that's a really interesting feature and thanks for bringing to our attention. My own guess is that it was provided, not just on Speedsters but perhaps on any 7th series (and perhaps others sharing the same radiator shell profile) cars originally built for export to a metric country. As to the speedsters themselves, based on my information we only have ownership information back to 1930 on 4 of them; only one of those was delivered to a metric country (France) and that was not Mr. Valpey's car.

Ownership history back to 1930 on 11 cars, but, as you said, only one originally sold overseas.

West, sorry about the error but I rechecked my source info and misread it earlier, I have ownership back to 1930 on 9 Speedsters so you have more current information than I do. I do see 2 sold overseas though one went to what was a U.S. Territory at the time. I suspect we're using 2 different versions of the same source document.

My numbers include 8 existing cars. One of the three non existing cars is the Speedster-numbered 740 Club Sedan custom made for Alvan Macauley.

My guess is that it is a modification. The stylized type is not consistent with draftsman quality tooling.

It may have been added in anticipation of racing given a qualification line up by motor displacement.

If the part number on the back matches the parts book then it started out as a typical Packard emblem.

Another clue is that the wings don't match 1930, but they do match the later 12 and Su8.

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Interesting point. I never even knew there was a difference in a detail that small.