Travel By Time Machine?

A 1937 Packard Business Coupe, said to have traveled across the Golden Gate Bridge, on opening day, May 27, 1937

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk into a photograph and go back in time to that day? Well… I was lucky enough to almost do exactly that in the summer of 2017.

So, sit back and enjoy this tale of the adventure!

As a role in my professional career, I managed the operations of the Customer Service Center for the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District, located in San Rafael, California. The District is far more than the famous Bridge. At that time, it included operations of long distance bus service across the Bridge between San Francisco in the South, Santa Rosa in the North, and El Cerritos in the East; along with ferry service between San Francisco’s Ferry Building and Sausalito, Tiburon, and Larkspur Landing. In addition, we also provided customer service for the Marin County local bus service (known as Marin Transit) and the then new SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) trains.

Marin County and Sonoma counties were at one time very well served by a combination of commuter rail, long distance rail and ferry service to San Francisco and other points. The coming of the automobile, the Depression, and the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge all contributed to the decline of those services. Marin County residents declined the purchase of the electrified passenger service out of Sausalito and the accompanying ferry connection to San Francisco at the ballot box, instead favoring the new bus service by Pacific Greyhound across the bridge.

When the Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic on May 27, 1937, it held great promise for everyone on the north side of the San Francisco Bay, opening the gateway to the Redwood Empire. The ability to travel as you saw fit directly via the Bridge into and out of San Francisco was seen as a clear sign of the lessened effects of the Depression.

There were a number of cars that had crossed the bridge prior to opening day, but that first day of traffic saw all types of vehicles crossing. Among the vehicles known to have crossed that day is a 1937 Packard Six Business Coupe, now owned by the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District. Restored and maintained by the staff of the bus division mechanical department, it is used on occasion to represent the early history of the Bridge.

While 2017 saw 80th birthday of the Bridge, it was a somewhat smaller anniversary than the 75th in 2012. None the less, why not celebrate by showing the Packard at one of the premier automotive events in the country? Namely, the Hillsborough Concours D’Elegance,

So it was that the morning of Sunday, July 16, 2017 found me bright and early in San Rafael to collect my charge for the day. Having previously demonstrated that I was proficient in the operation of a clutch and manual transmission during a test drive around the bus yard, I was off to US Highway 101 heading southbound for the Golden Gate Bridge.

Traffic was light at that hour. It was a moment right out of history as I headed down the Waldo Grade towards the Bridge. It almost felt like the Packard knew where it was going, having made the crossing many times before. (A viewing of the film noir classic “Dark Passage” from 1947 with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall offers a very similar scene to the one I experienced crossing the Bridge.)

A brief stop adjacent to the Bridge Toll Plaza for a quick inspection and photo opportunity.

Leaving the Toll Plaza at the Bridge was by way of State Highway 1, or if you prefer, Park Presidio Boulevard, southbound through the tunnel under the Presidio and into the Avenues. A brief excursion into Golden Gate Park, along Crossover Dr, before continuing onto 19th Avenue through the Sunset district of the City. It may be 2017, but the neighborhoods retain much of the charm of the late 30’s if you are willing to see it. So traveling through them in this Packard in the morning definitely had a flair to it!

Approaching Daly City and Westlake, things take a definite turn toward the modern era as 19th Avenue gives way to Interstate 280. The Packard is out of its element on the shimmering lanes of concrete and asphalt encouraging excess speeds en route to downtown San Jose. The trip today is a moderate one, heading for the hills above the Crystal Springs Reservoir and the community of Hillsborough.

Since 1956, automotive enthusiasts have gathered here every summer in appreciation of the art of design and construction of some of the finest examples. Each year, a particular marque of vehicles is featured and celebrated here. For 2017, Jaguar was selected to be so honored.

The Crystal Springs Golf Course is the perfect spot for the event with vehicles displayed along the fairways. The weather, while warm, was not uncomfortable with coastal breezes making their way through the area.

The 1937 Packard Six Business Coupe takes its place for display.

Parked for display among automobiles of similar vintages, the morning passed, with the Packard admired by many. After lunch, it was requested to be moved to a prominent display location prior to the Concours parade.

As the event drew to a close, it was time to motor north, back across the Bridge to San Rafael. A brief detour through the Sea Cliff neighborhood of San Francisco with a stop along the El Camino Del Mar, below the Palace of the Legion of Honor offered a classic view of both the vintage Packard and Bridge together. A fine way to wrap up a trip in a Time Machine!