One of the issues in collecting classic
cars is previous ownership. If you had two identical Cadillacs
there's no doubt the one owned by Elvis would be more valuable than
the other that had no-name owners. In addition it is fascinating just
to know who the previous owners were, even if they were not on the
list of the rich and famous.
With that background we introduce you
to Edmund. Edmund's a Packard. A BIG Packard at that ... is more than
six metres in length. He's a 16th Series 1938 Model 1604
Super 8, seven passenger limousine. The straight eight engine alone weighs
more than half a tonne. And while he's a magnificent example of this
great American brand, it's his background that adds spice to his
story.
The car was originally owned by Edmund
Resch, a name familiar in Australia and in particular New South
Wales, in connection with beer. The car was delivered by Ira Berk
Motors of William Street, Sydney in 1938 and had just one purpose.
That was to transport Mr Resch, a founder of Reschs Brewery from
Sydney to his weekend retreat at Leura in the Blue Mountains, west of
Sydney. For that reason the car became known as a `The Blue
Mountains' car.
Mr Resch never drove the car, but was
chauffeured from his 50-room Sydney mansion
called `Swifts' at Darling Point overlooking magnificent Sydney
Harbour. Swifts is about as close as we get to a castle in Australia
and was built by Tooths – another brewing company and has been
owned by the Catholic Church and the Moran family of Moran Health
fame. So, the Packard was keeping good company.
Only 2478 Super 8s were manufactured by
Packard in 1938 and it is believed less than 130 survive. According
to owners, Terry and Roberta Hobson, Edmund is the only one of its
kind in Australia and possibly the world.
Edmund's life after leaving Reschs is
sketchy, but the car did end up at Green's Motor Museum where it sat
for 12 years. When George Green passed away, the collection was
offered at auction and the present owners purchased the car at that
time, 1982. Packard 8s are among the most coveted of all Packards.
Packard was an American auto maker that insisted on a number of
essentials: Great engineering, style and second-to-none build
quality.
This also meant Packards were not cheap. This was obviously
an issue when Edmund was built, being at the latter end of the Great
Depression. Not a great time for selling expensive automobiles. But,
Packard survived both the depression and WW2 only to launch into an
ill-fated union with Studebaker.
Edmund is powered by a 320 cubic inch
straight eight producing 130 hp. The 1938 model had a 127 inch
wheelbase and changes from the previous model included a new grille
and bonnet and an overall appearance of being much more rounded. The
suspension was advanced for the time and the car also featured
hydraulic brakes. There was also a Super 12 built and an Eight,
featuring respectively a huge 12 cylinder engine and a 282 cubic inch
straight eight. Packard was immensely proud of its reputation and its
advertising slogan at the time reflected both its pride and its
confidence in it product: `Ask the man who owns one.'
Contemporary road tests laud the
vehicle stating it is an `excellent driving machine.' While the 1938 model is magnificent it
is perhaps not quite as impressive as some earlier Packards.
Feedback: Ms. Julia Sundin
I was so interested to see the
'Edmund' on the 'net'. I used to ride in Ed Resch's Packard (it ONLY
ever went on a Wednesday) up to the Leura House. Mr Resch and I (only
in school holidays as I was 13-14 at the time)would have lunch
(cooked by the staff) and then drive back to Sydney. This was the
only time the Packard was used. The rest of the time the Rolls was
used, usually to go into The Australia Hotel for lunch. Everything
was regular. Also the Rolls was taken to Europe on the maiden voyage
of the Oriana in 1960 and a chauffeur (three, Maurice and Stanley,
and I can't remember the other one)and when the Rolls was put in for
maintenance the Bentley was always loaned out from London. The one
thing I rememebr about these two cars was the UNBELIEVABLE effort it
was for the chauffeurs without any power steering. Maurice Wells (the
first chauffeur) was younger and strong) but Stanley Mercer was
older, small and thin and I honestly don't know how he managed.
Getting out of the car park at The Dorchester was the first problem
of the day, then dropping us off at different places in and out of
London was okay if he was not required to park. Gosh it brought back
memories to see those photographs. Congratulations to the family who
have cared for it and looked after it. I often wonder what happened
to the Rolls. I would appreciate it if you could pass this info on to
the current owners, and I would be happy to answer any questions. I
am probably one of the few people still alive who actually rode in
the Packard (and Rolls) with Ed Resch in the last years before his
death at Swifts. JS
Hi Guys,
As a teenager I ued to drool over a huge fawn coloured Packard identical to Edmund, that used to park very occasionally outside a house in Russell Street, Toowoomba in Queensland. This was around 1956 and always in the afternoon. I was quite a car watcher but never saw it anywhere else but there, so perhaps it came from out of town.
Regards,
Ted Godfrey
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