1922 Packard Single Six Model 126 Runabout Engine no. U13118

1922 Packard Single Six Model 126 Runabout Engine no. U13118
268ci L-Head Inline 6-Cylinder MotorSingle Packard Carburetor54bhp at 2,700rpm3-Speed Manual TransmissionFront and Rear Leaf Spring SuspensionRear Mechanical Brakes*Offered from the Paul Bush Collection*Lovely patina throughout, with possibly original interior *Sporting runabout body style, perfect for classic tours*Well-engineered Packard motorcarTHE PACKARD SINGLE SIXDuring 1920, the Packard Motor Car Co. announced a new line of relatively small and low-priced models. These new Series 116 six-cylinder cars were sold alongside the company's massive and expensive twelve-cylinder Twin Six. To avoid confusion, Packard referred to the newcomers as "Single Six" models. Priced in Cadillac territory, the Buick-sized Packard 116s proved to be slow sellers. The company quickly went back to the drawing board and, in mid-1922, replaced the 116 with two new Single Six lines—the 126 and 133 (as with the 116, the numerical designations for the new series reflected their wheelbase lengths in inches). These larger and more stylish Single Six models offered a full measure of Packard performance, style and quality—all at a reasonable price. As business conditions improved during 1922, so did Packard sales. With Packard seeing a doubling of its sales between 1921 and 1922, the popular Model 126 and 133 Single Six lines were carried forward into 1923 with little change. As had been the case in 1922, the 5-passenger Series 126 Single Six Touring was Packard's most popular model for 1923. Priced around $2500, it was powered by the same 268.5-cid inline six used in all 1922-23 Single Six models. The L-head engine produced 54 horsepower.THE MOTORCAR OFFEREDWhile the early history of this Packard remains shrouded in the fog of time past, the sporting Model 126 Runabout joined the Paul Bush collection during the 1970s. Mr. Bush fondly describes the acquisition of the Packard in his memoirs, spotting the car parked on the street while on a classic car trip Reno, where he and his family visited the Harrah Museum and attended a Ford V8 swap meet. They purchased the car from a Gentleman in California and drove the Packard part of the way home to Texas. Mr. Bush appreciated the largely original condition of the car and kept it like that. Finished in Royal blue bodywork with black fenders and top, the old interior appears to be original to this day.