One of the wonderful (and humbling) things about being a car enthusiast is that you never stop learning. And the more you learn, the stronger your love for cars grows. Last year, while researching for an episode of the Drive the Bid Podcast, I came across an interestingly named accessory that Packard offered. It was a footrest, but the luxury automaker didn’t call it that, instead identifying it as a “hassock.” That led to me wanting to show all of you that and additional noteworthy accessories available from Packard in the late 1920s and 1930s, which you can see below.
COSMETIC
In 1929, you could order your Packard with a “de luxe” (aka “Goddess of Speed“) radiator emblem, or specify a personalized one with your initials on it. If that didn’t impress your passengers upon entry, they would definitely know you had made it in the world when they saw the flowers in your optional cut glass vase inside.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE – EXTERIOR
I can’t speak for you, but vent visors remind me of the 1990s and 2000s. As Packard’s accessory catalog shows, even back in 1929, people wanted to have their windows down a little yet keep the elements out of their cabins, which they could do with “window eaves.”
The vertical blades of the available Packard-Trico Visionall system kept rain and snow off the windshield; a rumble seat windshield was available to make sure the rear passenger’s smile was free of bugs when they got to their destination.
As long as the weather allowed people to play through, the running board-mounted golf bag holder was ready to transport up to three sets of clubs to the local course.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE – INTERIOR
Driving into the sun has never been pleasant, so it’s good to know Packard made a glare shield to prevent “blind driving,” according to its 1939 accessories catalog. The company was even kind enough to make it “non-inflammable” (does that mean it was flammable?).
Those fortunate enough to ride in a Packard could make their trip a little cozier by covering up with a “robe” that had plush silk on one side and the same upholstery used in the cabin on the other. They could even put their feet up on one of those hassocks I mentioned earlier.
The biggest surprise of all is that way back in the ’30s, Packard had a hill hold feature, although it gave the technology a much cooler name: NoRoL. It engaged when the driver pressed the clutch and brake pedals down, holding the Packard in place on an incline; to get moving again, all the driver had to do was push the clutch.
*All photos courtesy of PackardInfo.com and Dezo’s Garage.
