The historical origins of the Marshal's V12 Packard Touring Limousine are somewhat vague, but it is certain that the first Finnish owner of the car was Nils Dahlström, the manager of Suomi-Filmi Ltd. He had bought the car on 24 March, 1939. In 1941 the car was taken over for army use on the plea of the law and the state of war. This majestic vehicle was seen for the first time furnished with the registration plate SA-1 in late summer 1941. The car was exclusively equipped and upholstered.

Some technical information:

• Weight with basic equipment 2570 kilos.
• V-12 engine, 175 horsepower, 3200 revolutions/min.
• Top speed 160 km/h.
• 3-gear gearbox in use.
• Fuel tank 112 litres.

Of all the cars at his disposal the Marshal used this V12 Packard the most frequently. There were several reasons, one of them being that with its double heater and sedan body it was the best alternative during the winter. In an interview, the Marshal's personal chauffeur Kauko Ranta stated that during the Continuation War he drove the total of 100,000 kilometres with all the cars of the headquarters, 25,000 kilometres of these in the Packard. Ranta drove the Packard for the last time on August 4, 1944 when he took the Commander-in-Chief to the Parliament House to take the oath of office for presidency.

Since 1944 Sergeant Oskar Nuotio was employed as the Marshal's chauffeur till the death of the latter. It was Nuotio who was at the steering wheel of the Packard when it was used as a presidential vehicle for the last time. The car was then driven from the President's castle to Kaivopuisto. In 1949 the car had already become so out-moded that it was put for sale. A new owner was found in Åland.

The Packard was replaced by a 1949 Cadillac Series 75 Limousine, which Nuotio drove until the death of the Marshal. Today the Packard is owned by Timo Vuorenmaa from Lapua, in whose garage the car is stationed.

Mercedes Benz 770 F-Cabriolet and the V12 Packard.

Picture library about the cars of Mannerheim

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