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America's Packard Museum

THE CITIZENS MOTORCAR COMPANY

Dayton, Ohio

The Birth Place of Aviation is Dayton’s Claim to Fame, but to the Classic Car enthusiast, Dayton is home to America’s Packard Museum. At the corner of Ludlow and Franklin streets the Packard Motor Car Company lives again within the Museum. The Packard Museum is located in an actual Packard dealership building. The original dealership, The Citizens Motorcar Company, started selling Packard’s in 1908. They would later move to their new dealership in 1917, which is now the Museum.
 

In 1991 the building was purchased by Dayton attorney, and Car Collector, Robert Signon with the intention of restoring the dealership to its original Art Deco grandeur and starting a Museum devoted to the Packard marquee. Mr. Signon did not waste anytime. The Museum, now officially named the “The Citizens Motorcar Company – America’s Packard Museum”, opened in 1992. The original 20’ tall neon and porcelain Packard sign was located, restored and was returned to its original position on the building by opening day. The Museum continued to grow in size and stature. In 2004 it was awarded the James Bradley Award of the Society of Automotive Historians. It has been named as one of the Top 10 Automobile Museums by Car Collector Magazine.
 

You enter the Museum through the original Showroom. The Art Deco themed Showroom is large, even by today’s standard. Sales offices are decorated with period furnishings and equipment. Period Packard advertising can be found throughout the showroom.