Transcontinental Packard startIn 1903, a 12 h.p., single-cylinder Model F Packard began a transcontinental journey by automobile. It set off from San Francisco, after first dipping its wheels in the Pacific Ocean. It was driven by “Tommy” Fetch from the Packard Motor Car works, with Marius Krarup, a journalist. The 51 days of actual running time gave an average run of almost 80 miles per day. They had crossed the Utah desert and the Colorado mountains and (according to the New York Times report) during their journey replaced only three tires and a broken front spring. The mud-covered car arrived in New York, completing their trip on 21 Aug 1903. Vermont doctor Horatio Nelson with mechanic Crocker Sewell, had completed a similar, but two days slower, trip in a Winton car the previous month.« |
