Upon the introduction of the Twin Six in mid-1915, Henry Joy, president of Packard Motor Car Company proclaimed it to be “the greatest piece of machinery that ever went upon the highways.” Fast, smooth and powerful, even at extremely low rpm, the Twin Six was an unbridled success, outselling competitor’s finest offerings by a wide margin. The instant credibility of the new model, coupled with Packard’s well-established engineering prowess surely appealed to this example’s first owner, according to John Grundy’s Packard register, C.G. Rhoads of Mechanicsville, Iowa, a member of one of the town’s pioneer families who settled in the area in the 1850s.

By 1954, the Twin Six was listed in the Packard roster as belonging to Thurm Kuiper of Gilman, Illinois, who maintained ownership for at least 12 years. Following ownership by further collectors across the US, the car settled with the California-based, dedicated Packard enthusiast Mike Giddens in 2001. Mr. Giddens fettled the car mechanically and entered it on numerous HCCA and Nickel Era rallies before selling it to Mark Smith in 2007. The car is configured as a seven-passenger phaeton, but is smartly proportioned on the shorter 125" wheelbase, giving it a more sporting look. The recipient of an older restoration, the Packard now presents as an honest, patinated example, and its Warner Auto-Meter shows just under 28,000 miles. This striking, open Nickel Era Packard awaits its next caretaker to return it to the road, where its notably smooth 12-cylinder engine is sure to impress.

*Please note that this Lot, like all vehicles in this Auction, has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to any road use.

Gooding & Company presents and conducts the Estate of Mark Smith Auction under the authority of John J. Rendemonti, Executor of the Estate of Mark J. Smith, duly appointed by the Circuit Court of the State of New Hampshire, Probate Division, Case Number 312-2022-ET-00072. The Estate has compiled available title and/or registration paperwork for the Vehicles offered in the Auction and will provide such paperwork to the Buyer if it is available. However, as set forth more fully in the Conditions of Sale, neither the Estate nor Gooding makes any representation or warranty with respect to any existing certificate of title or registration with regard to any Lot in the Auction. Any Lot may be sold on a Bill of Sale. By participating in this Auction, all bidders and buyers recognize that Estate and Gooding have expressly disclaimed all such warranties concerning the availability or sufficiency of any title or registration documentation.