Step inside a century of American automotive prestige, custom coachwork and engineering excellence, right here at Geissler Southwest Shopping Center in Rohnert Park, CA.
Visitor Information
"Ask the man who owns one."
Packard Motor Car Company — One of the most celebrated slogans in advertising history
Long before European imports dominated the high-end market, Packard was the undisputed crown jewel of American automotive engineering. Founded in 1899 by brothers James Ward Packard and William Doud Packard — before expanding to Detroit in 1903 — the company was built on one uncompromising standard: craftsmanship above all else.
When an early competitor dismissively told Ward Packard to build a better car himself, he did — and changed automotive history forever. When asked for a promotional brochure in the early 1900s, Ward Packard famously replied: "Ask the man who owns one." That single phrase became one of the most celebrated slogans in advertising history, defining a brand built entirely on word-of-mouth perfection.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Packard stood alongside Peerless and Pierce-Arrow as part of the legendary "Three Ps" of American luxury. By 1926, Packard proudly served as the vehicle of choice for America's aristocracy — hand-crafting automobiles commissioned by industrial titans, Hollywood stars, and heads of state worldwide.
On Display at the Museum
1920s – 1930s
Custom hand-shaped bodies by legendary coachbuilders including LeBaron, Brewster and Dietrich — each one a unique work of art. Paired with the smooth, powerful V12 Packard Twin Six engine, these cars were the pinnacle of what any automobile could be.
Pioneering Firsts
Packard introduced the first modern steering wheel (replacing the tiller), standard 12-cylinder engines, and — in 1939 — the very first built-in passenger air conditioning system ever fitted to a production car.
1940s
During World War II, Packard turned its legendary engineering facilities to the Allied war effort — mass-producing supercharged Rolls-Royce Merlin V-1650 V-12 engines for P-51 Mustang fighter planes, and heavy marine engines for PT boats.
1950s
Sweeping chrome, iconic tailfins and bold mid-century optimism. The final Packard production models of the late 1950s captured the spirit of postwar America at its most confident — and are among the most collectible automobiles in history.
"He set out to preserve a lost era of craftsmanship."
Ralph Irming Geissler · Collector & FounderThe Man Behind the Collection
The late Ralph Geissler didn't set out to build a museum. He set out to preserve a lost era of craftsmanship. Arriving in California with an eye for things built to last, Ralph Geissler acquired his first classic Packard out of sheer appreciation for detail, the kind of painstaking, hand-finished quality that simply no longer exists in modern manufacturing.
Over five decades, that single pursuit grew into one of Northern California's most significant private automotive collections. Each vehicle tells its own story — of the craftsmen who built it, the era it came from, and the vision of a company that refused to compromise on anything.
Today, the Packard Geissler Automobile Museum at 207 Southwest Boulevard houses dozens of pristine, fully restored classic vehicles — keeping the spirit of handcrafted precision alive in the heart of Rohnert Park, Sonoma County.
Visitor & Tour Details
Location
207 Southwest Boulevard
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Inside Geissler Southwest Shopping Center.
Get directions →
Opening Hours
Admission
Entry to the Packard Geissler Automobile Museum is completely
free of charge. No booking required for individual visits —
just come along during opening hours and explore at your own pace.
Car clubs and enthusiast groups are warmly welcomed.
Group Tours
Guided tours are available by appointment for
groups of 6 or more. Our guides bring the history
of each vehicle to life in a way that's engaging for everyone —
from lifelong car enthusiasts to first-time visitors.
Call us to reserve your group tour:
(707) 664-9909
Open Wednesday to Sunday · Free entry · 207 Southwest Blvd, Rohnert Park CA
