The Packard Six was a series of luxury automobiles built over several generations by Packard from 1913 until 1947. The name was originally used to describe the car in general terms, while Series numbers were initially used and changed every year to denote wheelbases, then the number classification changed as market conditions changed so as to keep competitive with other luxury brands.
There are three generations that used a six-cylinder engine before World War II, with varying engine displacements and periodic mechanical changes.
First Generation (1912–1915)
The Packard Six was the first top level luxury platform built by the company to introduce a six-cylinder engine, and was offered in three wheelbase options of 121.5 in (3,086.1 mm), 133 in (3,378.2 mm), and 139 in (3,530.6 mm). This was the last Packard to use the term "model" in its designation. Officially, the car was first introduced as the Packard Six Series 1-48. The car was described with varying marketing terms such as the Packard Six, the Packard Dominant Six, the Packard 'Six-48', '1248', and the Packard '48'. The '48' designation was assigned to 525 cu in (8,603 cc) T-head engines, while the Series 1-38 or '38' designation was used for 415 cu in (6,801 cc) L-head engines that used a different valve configuration. The transmission offered three forward gears and was installed at the rear axle. The Six was replaced in 1916 with the Packard Twin Six and was the only platform manufactured in two wheelbases. Retail price of an Imperial Landaulet 7-passenger sedan was US$6,550 ($191,364 in 2022 dollars).
The line consisted of:
1912: 1-48 (3 wheelbase options)
1913: 1-38 (3 wheelbase options)
1913: 2-48 (3 wheelbase options)
1914: 1-38 (1 wheelbase only)
1914: 2-38 (1 wheelbase only)
1914: 3-48 (2 wheelbase options)
1914: 4-48 (1 wheelbase only)
1915: 3-38 (1 wheelbase only)
1915: 5-48 (1 wheelbase only)
1912-1915 Six "48": T-head, 525 c.i. (8.6L), 62-74 bhp. N.A.C.C./RAC rating 48 HP.
1913-1915 Six "38": side valve, 415 c.i. (6.8L), 60-65 bhp. N.A.C.C./RAC rating 38 HP.
Source: Wikipedia