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

Hi

This photo appeared on an AACA Forum thread without explanation where or why all these Packard tourings were marshalled. I'd conjecture it was for a major parade, perhaps that for Charles Lindbergh's New York City welcome. At any rate, its a sight to make your eyes water.

Your ideas on the when and why?

Steve

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Interesting photo, I'd like to know more about it. It's interesting to note that single rear-mounted spares are favored over sidemounts.

Historical Notes

The parade through Downtown Los Angeles took place on September 21, 1927, four months to the day after Col. Lindbergh flew solo non-stop from Roosevelt Field to Paris aboard the "Spirit of St. Louis".^

(1927)#** - Photograph of parked automobiles at the parade for Charles Lindbergh. Approximately nine rows of cars are parked door-to-door in an alleyway flanking the parade route. Two billboards are attached to the wall at left and advertise for "Sun-Maid Raisins" and "Snowdrift for Cake". A second parking lot can be seen across the street.

Above from waterandpower.org

I'd bet that Earle C. Anthony was involved. I thought I recognized my hometown... I was right.

Here's Lindbergh riding in a rose-bedecked Packard (I am basing my assumption that it's a Packard on the hubcaps ).

Source: waterandpower.org

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Hi JD in KC

Thanks for tracking down the context for the first photo and adding the second. Given that every car is a Packard parked cheek to jowl, perhaps this lot was adjacent to one of his dealerships on the parade route. What a nice sop to his customers to invite them to exclusively use his lot for their convenience to attend this major event. The rose-covered Packard likely was ECA's contribution too.

I'm not picky, any one of those tourings would be just fine...though I'd prefer an Eight.

"Snowdrift for Cake" must have been a regional cake flour brand. I haven't seen "Swan's Down" for years, there was a Pillsbury's "Snow Sheen" cake flour at one time too. At least Sun-Maid Raisin is still with us.

Steve

I think Earle C. Anthony's showroom was about 3 blocks from the parade route.

PS - Snowdrift was a shortening.

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Also from the AACA Website is this thread with a Packard decorated to celebrate Lindbergh.