america's packard museum - the citizens motorcar co.

What an impressive collection...the building was the original dealership and repair shop that has now been converted to a museum showcasing all the great Packard history and the story of how they came to be and what made them such an iconic figure in automotive history. For just a couple bucks a person the guide was very informative, the cars take you back to another era and it left a whole new respect for the brand as a whole.

I don't know how I never knew this was in Dayton but I was impressed. With an affordable admission, its a great place to go browse around. Lots of neat history and beautiful cars, even not being a car buff. Fun place to take friends or family.

I had a great time at this museum. The admission is 8 dollars, but with a military ID its only 5 dollars. I was about to use my debit card but the employee said he would have to do it the old way and call in the charge...so bring cash! He was very nice and didn't do a tour but gladly answered any questions you had. These cars are beautiful and worth a trip down town to look at!

We had a group tour. The guides were so knowledgeable. The cars are so beautiful. Well worth the trip downtown.

A little hard to find and not in the best section of Dayton but I highly recommend this museum which is inside an original Packard dealership. So along with all the great cars, you get to go back in time with the dealership also; sales rooms, service and parts desk, etc. Price is very reasonable. Plenty of free on-street parking. Only down side is that a lot of the cars have no info. posted on them regarding engines, etc. I find that strange for a museum of this type.

My husband and I visited America's Packard Museum and thoroughly enjoyed our tour with the very knowledgeable docent. It is a must for car buffs and even fans of early 20th century history in the US. Its great!

I was blown away..this is definitely a hidden gem in Dayton. The staff was so personable, helpful and patient.Our trip consisted of 10 senior citizens, some with limited mobility and confusion. The staff made them feel so welcomed and appreciated, I can say enough to praise their efforts. The museum is wonderful. I plan to visit again.

The Citizens Motor Car Company now known as AMERICA’S PACKARD MUSEUM in Dayton, Ohio is a window onto an elegant motoring era in American life. The camel-colored brick facility on the corner of South Ludlow Street is actually a restored Packard Dealership originally built in 1917 and now functioning as a museum. It was the vision and brain-child of a local attorney and long-time car collector. Immense showroom windows invite the passerby on the sidewalk into the museum as it once did in Dayton’s early years. A similarly large Packard sign probably illuminated at night in its heyday is hung on the corner of the building leaving no doubt as to the purpose of this edifice.Once inside the restored Art Deco showroom, the visitor is surrounded by a number of handsome Packard touring cars and limousines placed strategically throughout the expanse of an expansive black and white checkerboard floor. The cars are angle parked for viewing enhancement. It’s not a hands-on museum even though there are no velvet ropes protective encircling the vehicles. Parents should inform young children to this fact. It’s possible that the present showroom display layout might have been the marketing mode when the dealership was operative but it’s hard to say. From the showroom, one can see yet another cavernous area revealing even more elegant vehicles parked for viewing admiration, gawking and sigh-filled reminiscences. One side of this room was obviously the service desk area. An early auto lift on the floor at the rear of the building attests to what was most likely the scene of automotive repair work. There are numerous Packard years represented in this rear display area. Many of the autos are from the 1930’s with some like the sporty Caribbean convertible from the early 50’s.Whether walking around the parked Packards at the front or rear of the dealership-museum, one cannot help but sense how elegant this early part of the century was for the Packard motoring crowd. The various and lustrous factory finish paint colors, aesthetically fashioned chrome or nickel plated hood ornaments, beautifully appointed upholstery, “rumble and jump seats”, sculpted door handles and lights and wire rim wheels proclaim the classicism of a bygone motoring age.Yes, many of the features and accoutrements on these Packards might have been utilitarian and pedestrian for their day, but when viewed nearly a century later, one cannot help be in awe of the craftsmanship and artistry that went into these lengthy, commodious sedans. It’s no wonder that so many car designers today look back to the vintage cars (such as these Packards) for contemporary design inspiration.A scale model Packard sits atop a pedestal near the front entrance. It indicates the non-profit basis and mission of this former dealership now museum. It is to “educate present and future generations about the Packard Motor Car Company, its products and philosophies.” There’s a small box for donations. Anyone visiting this one of a kind showroom museum should consider contributing something to The Citizens Motorcar Company Packard Museum. This jewel of a museum in the Gem City gleams. Consider making a visit to this auto time capsule which is open seven days a week. It’s inconceivable how anyone could leave this showroom unsold on the lasting elegance of the early Packard motoring era.

Gorgeous old Packards, beautifully maintained. Personal tours by knowledgeable and friendly docents. A cheerful and enjoyable visit!

Beautiful cars; wonderful history; a swath of Americana from the turn of the last century to its middle, this museum has it all! Though I'm a "gearhead", my wife isn't, but each lovely car here turned her head as well as mine. Some of the loveliest examples of automotive art ever built are here! The setting is marvelous as well, as it's in the original dealership building; the service garage and parts counter are intact...one of the nicest afternoons of my life I spent here!And oh, if you're a gearhead...engines, drawings, Packard Liberty aircraft engines; the marine engines they built that powered the PT boats during WW2. It's been a week and I'm still enthralled as I remember it! Very photographically friendly as well!I am handicapped and in a wheelchair, though I can still walk short distances. I did have to make one step up to get inside the building, but once inside everything was accessible; a smaller person could have been pulled up the step to get in, or perhaps they would roll up the service door to let someone in.

We brought our tour group of classic car owners here and they really loved it. The guide is knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They are nice folks and made our visit very enjoyable.

First, I'm no "motor head". I never cared for car maintenance as a hobby. It's a chore. I've never bought an old car as a hobby. That said, the collection of classic Parkard automobiles here is one to turn heads. So much beauty. So many classic designs. Even if, like me, you don't really care for cars as such, these are as beautiful as any paintings you'll find in a museum. These are applied "art", beauty with a purpose. So if you've done the art museum, try this as a refreshing change. Finally, be sure to peak inside the ambulance! Somebody has a sense of humor.

The history of Packard Motorcar Company is laid out before you. It will amaze you what you will learn. Plus you get to see many vehicles you most likely have not seen previously.

The Packard Museum in Dayton was our 1st stop this morning (May 2, 2014) on a Mystery Tour. This our first Mystery Tour so it was a nice surprise to see that we had a car museum to check out. My husband loves cars...he was a happy man. I love to photograph beautiful cars but my favorite things are hood ornaments, fancy grills and hub caps. This is a great place to stop for a short visit while you are in Dayton....We really enjoyed it very much.

Very interesting place to see while in Dayton whether you are a classic car enthusiast or not. Close up look of every car on display. Imagine yourself driving one of those oldies in today's modern world.