Packard cars Archives - Richard M. Langworth

Facing Disaster with a Smile: The Dick Teague I Knew

5 March 2024

"So I told Red Lux to cut up the last Packard prototype. This welder had been there since the cornerstone, and was hanging on by his thumbnails. I came back and the pieces were lying all around like a bomb had gone off. It was probably the dirtiest trick I ever played but I said: 'My God, Red, what have you done? Not this one, man—the one over in the corner!' The poor guy had to have had a strong heart, because if he didn’t, he would have died right there. His face drained, and when I told him I was just kidding he chased me around the room. You’ve got to have a sense of humor in this business." —Dick Teague

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Speedsdter — 1930 Packard Eight Model 734 Speedster Roadster at the 2018 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. (Photo by Mr. Choppers, Creative Commons)

“One Brief Shining Moment”: Packard’s 1929-30 Speedster

4 February 2023

“For those who love speed coupled with utility features of general motoring, Packard builds its Speedsters. Perhaps it is the inherent flow of speed joined to the swift grace of smooth design that suggests these interesting body treatments. But Speedsters they all are, from test car to Runabout. For those who thrill to the maximum speed of an open car on an open road.” —Packard Motor Car Company

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“Queen Mary”: We Love Our 1950 Packard Eight Club Sedan

5 November 2022

Performance may be described as “comfortable.” Zero to 60 must take 20 seconds, and we've not pushed her over 70. But at 60, 1950 Eight is just cruising. Gas mileage averages about 15 mpg. But hey, remember, this is 1950, and gas is only 15 cents a gallon. (A fun feature at gas stations: Packard’s “whistling gas tank” stops whistling when you’re nearing full, captivating locals. Nothing like that on an Audi A6.)

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Why Packard Failed (2): The End of the Road, 1954-56

26 March 2022

In reality, Packard’s crucial mistakes were made years before. After the war, when a company could sell anything on wheels, Packard could have reverted to type, rebuilding its reputation as a luxury automaker. Instead it pursued the lower-priced markets that had saved it in the Depression. Stemming from this marketing mistake was a series of product decisions that flew in the face of Packard’s proud heritage.

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Why Packard Failed (1): Patrician and Its Relatives 1951-53

15 February 2022

James J. Nance's efforts to supplement the Patrician with more luxury Packards paid off in 1953—a testimonial to his determination. Advertising assumed a decided up-market look, and the results were agreeable. Calendar ’53 saw 81,000 cars, up by a third and the best since 1950. Sofari sogoody, as Churchill once said. But what next?

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Bud — Presiden Juneau. Actually, we propped him up at the Reagan Library during a 2012 Packard Club tour. (Photo by Jay Hubbard)

Packard Tales and Memories of Bud Juneau

10 December 2021

What intrigued Bud was my idea to invigorate the club quarterly by recreating Packard's former house organ, The Packard Magazine, last published in 1931. We proposed using the same wide margins, elegant typefaces, art deco layouts and golden picture frame cover. With his keen imagination, Bud was my leading advocate, even when challenged about the cost. (Actually it cost no more per member, because membership increased and print costs held, since we kept almost every issue to 40 pages.)

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“The Packard”: Ne Plus Ultra of Automotive House Organs (2)

25 April 2021

Today its old yellowed pages are an infinitesimal microcosm of what was a great company at the height of success, more valuable than the sterile if luxurious sales brochures. The last page of the last issue showed a majestic Deluxe Eight, pictured front-on, a testimonial to Packard integrity. Beneath it was a two-line statement that summarized the work of those who had created the finest automotive house organ in history: “This magazine reaches you as another evidence of our interest in your Packard ownership.’’

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“The Packard”: Ne Plus Ultra of Automotive House Organs (1)

31 March 2021

The Q&A column ended with a confessional: "After this severe mental strain the Query Editor is working on the higher mathematics and differential calculus as a mild form of relaxation." And that was the whole idea, wasn't it? The Packard was a celebration—of all that was best in a young, dynamic company. The grand marque couldn't have had a better champion.

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Don Weber, RIP: Storming Pikes Peak, 42 Years On

16 January 2019

Arrivederci, Don

Don Weber of San Antonio, a sterling gentleman of the old school, died December 10th at the age of 90. Those who miss him may like to leave a few words on his permanent legacy page. There you will also find details of his extraordinary life.

In Don Weber’s memory, we thought it would be a nice thing to reprint my article on storming Pikes Peak in his 1914 Packard Six Model 1448 on the 1976 Glidden Tour. It first appeared in my sixth issue as editor of The Packard Cormorant, Spring 1977.…

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