In 1927, Jesse Vincent, head of Packard Engineering, was given permission to build a special speedster to demonstrate the abilities of the 2 1/2 mile banked oval at the newly-constructed Proving Grounds.
He used the opportunity not only to impress celebrities and dignitaries, but to serve as a testbed for much of the Speedster-series drivetrain parts.
It was constructed using the lightest single-six chassis, the largest (and highly modified) straight eight engine, and a special lightweight and aerodynamic aluminum body.
It was clocked at over 129 mph on the oval track, and was often used by Vincent to commute from his home on Grosse Pointe!
In 1929, Charles Lindberg drove the car at 112 mph, saying it was the fastest he had ever gone “…on the ground.”
.jpg)
