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VEHICLES : STAFFORD PACKARD

What were the earliest motor vehicles in this district? Who drove them? Our earliest vehicles transported crops, equipment and people – often all using the same vehicle.

The CG Stafford family car was an American built 1925 Packard. The Packard Eight Touring belongs to the 243 range of cars from Packard.

This vehicle featured a 4 door, 6/7 seat, tourer type body with a front mounted engine powering the rear wheels. It’s engine was a 5.9 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with side valve 8 cylinder comprising 2 valves per cylinder. The 3 speed manual gearbox supplied the power to the driven wheels. Total length was 5220mm. What a car!

Image from AllCarCentral Magazine - http://allcarcentral.com/

Collection of Kelvyn Vickers

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Its sturdy and solid construction was demonstrated when Len Stafford accidently ran off the road, down a precipitous slope, just before the never-ending corner at Ashton. No major damage was done to the vehicle or the driver!

It is most likely the Packard is one of several cars parked here at the opening of the Lenswood Methodist Church.

As with all vehicles the time comes to part with them. We don't know exactly when the family sold the vehicle but it was bought by Tweedvale Motors (later, Claude Black Motors) in Lobethal. They converted it into a tow truck!

Opening of Lenswood Methodist Church. Collection of Kelvyn Vickers.

Mt Barker Courier & Gumeracha Advertiser Thu 12 Aug 1937

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That very same vehicle is now on display at the National Motor Museum at Birdwood.

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Collection of Peter Stafford