This a Fine art photograph of a Packard Swan hood ornament. The Swan hood ornament stood for elegance and gracefulness. The Packard was considered in the top Three Ps of automotive engineering in the 1900s; which included the 'Pierce-Arrow' from Buffalo, New York, the 'Peerless' of Cleveland, Ohio and the 'Packard' of Detroit, Michigan. The Packard Car Company would never have come to be unless a gentleman's wager was not at the root of it all. Its a simple story, William Doug Packard purchased a 'Winton' car from George Lewis Weiss and was not pleased with the car's performance. He wrote to Mr. Weiss to discuss some of the Winton's disappointments. Mr. Weiss took great offense and wrote back a stinging letter of criticism to Mr. Packard, suggesting at the end of his tirade that if 'Mr Packard could build a better car than he should do so.' The rest is history. From the very beginning the Packard automobiles introduced a number of new innovations in its design and engineering, including the modern steering wheel and the powerful 12-cylinder engine, plus the first air conditioning for a passenger vehicle. Their main reputation was for the quality built luxury cars they produced, however, they also manufactured very sturdy industrial trucks which could haul a three ton load. During the depression they saved their car line by producing the Packard 120, a car that sold for less than $1,000. These less expensive cars were referred to as the Junior models. The Packard 120 definitely saved the day and allowed the Packard Motor Company to survive the Depression. During World War 11, the Packard line began to slip, not looking at the new trends as well as they once did. Also carrying a bag of confusion around, should they return to building just luxury cars or way on the side of intermediate cost vehicles. As they debated the car market kept changing with the introduction of foreign made cars selling for far less. Sadly in 1958, Detroit, Michigan produced the last Packard and the end came to that gentleman's wager. This would be a great photo to hang on your office wall as a reminder of what it cost to have a 'partner' in a business venture. Just saying.