Packard

1903 Packard Model F – The Start of Something Big

Jim Richardson

Joe Conzonire eases his 1903 Packard Model F Runabout out of his shop and pulls it into the sunlight. It is as dazzling and intricate as a tsarist Russian Fabergé egg. I behold a symphony of polished brass, lacquered wood, tufted leather and Jules Vern Victorian machinery. Its regal, opulent, extra-cost option rear-entry tonneau for extra passengers makes it a deluxe tourer, but without that it would be a two-place roadster.

The overall visual effect of the little machine is truly unique, and upon closer inspection, more discerning automotive history buffs would be surprised at how this pioneering Packard was ahead of its time in many ways – especially when you consider that it is one of America’s earliest automobiles. I feel privileged to be able to sample it. Sadly, there are only four left today.

Members only$29 / year

Keep going. This is where it gets good.

Supercars.net Membership is for people who'd rather know the spec sheet by heart than skim ten headlines. The rest of this story — and every other one like it — is a few seconds away.

  • Thousands of members-only stories

    Deep dives, driven reviews and the full archive back to 2005.

  • No ads. None.

    The whole site reads like a magazine, on every device.

  • Every car, every spec

    Twenty years of models, numbers and history in one place.

  • 30% off the shop

    Every Supercars.net shirt and piece of merch, all year.

Join Supercars.net — Keep Reading

$29 a year. Cancel anytime, no hoops.
Already a member? Sign in

BY CAR PEOPLE, NOT A NAMELESS MEDIA COMPANY. Your membership keeps a small independent team that celebrates the brands and cars that defined this industry doing this.

Join — Keep Reading $29/yr

Main Topic Hubs

Join The Community

Become A Member