The Packard Motor Car Company introduced their first four-cylinder engine in 1903 initially as a top level car along with the Packard Model F. It was their only automobile offered and exclusively used a four-cylinder engine from 1903 until 1912 and established Packard as a luxury car maker, and was replaced by the 1913 Packard Six.
History
The first four-cylinder equipped car was introduced as the 1903 Model K with rear entrance tonneau or King of Belgium tonneau body styles. It introduced a number of firsts for the company, to include installing the engine in front of the passenger compartment and the radiator with a grille, with a four speed transmission using a 92 in wheelbase. Production was limited to 34 with a retail price of US$7,300 ($0 in dollars ) making it the most expensive Packard manufactured. Packard engineer Charles Schmidt raced a Model K Gray Wolf at Ormond-Daytona Beach and achieved 77.6 mph.
The 1904 Model L & Model M introduced the characteristic sculpted radiator and flat hood appearance, while the body was constructed in aluminum over wood frame. The standard body color was painted Richelieu blue with black molding with cream yellow striping, while the running gear was painted cream yellow with black and blue striping. Three body styles were offered adding a surrey and runabout to the previous tonneau, with a retail price of US$3,000 ($0 in dollars ).
Another first for the company was introduced with the 1905 Model N, adding a