'56 Packard Man

Gene & Gina Wescott’s 1930 Packard 7-33

When I read this story at Hemmings, I thought “hmmm … I bet I know who this ‘Gene Wescott’ is”. I sent him an e-mail asking if this is his Packard. Sure enough! Here’s the story and photos as supplied by Gene:

“Originally green from the factory, it was registered in Connecticut. The car eventually traveled north to Vermont where she spent many years leading the Hospital Day Parade in Townsend, VT. Tradition was the first baby to be born in the Grace Cottage Hospital each year rode in the car. The car was stored for a number of years when we found her, brought her home, and started the restoration. We changed the paint to 1956 Packard Naples Orange.”

Series – 7th
Model/Chassis – 7-33
Body Number – 401
Model Name – Standard 8 Phaeton
Original Price – $2,425
Original Color – Green
Delivered to Packard Sales and Service, New Haven, CT on June 16, 1930
Engine: Standard 8, 320 cubic inches, 90 Horsepower
Wheelbase: 134.5”
Options: Dual Side Mount Spares, Wire Wheels, Trunk Rack and Fender Parking      Lights
Weight of car – 3935 lbs.
Tire Size – 6.50 x 20
Total Production – 12,531

Automotive Trivia
(Hat tip: “B-Squared”)

On 5 August 1914, the American Traffic Signal Company installed the first traffic signal system on the corner of East 105th Street and Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ashville, Ohio claims to be the home of the oldest working traffic light in the United States, used at an intersection of public roads from 1932 to 1982 when it was moved to a local museum.

Here is an early traffic light in Detroit: