The brothers James Ward and William Daud Packard founded the Packard Motor Company in 1899 and gained a reputation as builders of fine luxury automobiles. However in 1903 they built a lightweight 2-seater racer called the "Gray Wolf" which featured an aluminum body and full bellypan.

Power came by a 275.6 cubic-inch 4-cylinder engine, shifted through a 2-speed sliding gear transmission, rolling on 92-inch wheelbase with 34-inch diameter wire spoke wheels. Nine copper cooling tubes ran nearly the length of car.

The 25-horsepower powerplant was capable of 30 mph in low and 75 mph in high, maximum power coming in at 1000-rpm. Vehicle weight 1430 pounds.