Helen Putnam’s Packard still belongs to the Golden Gate Bridge

Three decades after acquiring Helen Putnam's historic automobile — which did indeed lead the now-legendary sunrise pedestrian parade across the Golden Gate Bridge 30 years ago — the Bridge District continues to keep and care for hr beloved 1937 Packard.|

Three decades after acquiring Helen Putnam's historic automobile — which did indeed lead the now-legendary sunrise pedestrian parade across the Golden Gate Bridge 30 years ago — the Bridge District continues to keep and care for hr beloved 1937 Packard.

'Oh, yeah, we still have the car,' says Steve Miller, Director of Bus Maintenance for the District. 'It's in storage in our warehouse in San Rafael. It comes out from time to for various events.'

For example, in 2012 the car made an appearance at Crissy Field, as part of the Bridge's 75th Bridge anniversary. And when the Bridge converted from live toll-takers to an all-electronic toll collecting system, the Packard helped mark the transition to the modern age.

'Helen Putnam's Packard was the last car to pay a cash toll on the Golden Gate Bridge,' notes Miller. 'Brian Sobel, who was a Board Member, and Board President James Eddie, they were driving the car - and they handed over the last cash ever taken at the booth.'

Though Miller says it's been a while since Putnam's Packard returned home to Petaluma, it is currently scheduled to be on display in Hillsborough, as part of this July's Concourse d'Elegance car show. And with the 80th anniversary of the Bridge opening just a week away — and with zero plans for another bridge-closing event like the one that flattened the span under the weight of so many celebrants in 1987 — Miller says the Packard will mark the Bridge's octogintennial birthday by making an appearance at a private luncheon for District employees, scheduled for the day before the Golden Gate Bridge's 80th anniversary on May 27.

Though every bit as as old (or young) as the Golden Gate Bridge itself, Miller says the Packard is always ready to party.

'She's still in primo condition,' he says. 'We did do that major restoration in the '80s, after we bought the car. And we do varuous maintenance things from time to time to keep her up. The tires tend to dry out, so we change those from time to time. And of course, whenever it gets to go out in public, we clean it up real good. The paint on that vehicle, I have to tell you, is gorgeous. When polished, she shines like a mirror.'

Taking care of such a historic automobile, he admits, is a big responsibility.

'Believe me, I don't want to be the guy who puts a dent in it,' he laughs. 'But I guess we have the expertise to fix it if I do.'

Miller's personal favorite memory of the car is the morning of the Bridge's 75th anniversary. five years ago.

'I drove it myself to Crissy Field,' he says. 'It was five a.m. when I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, and there was no one else on the bridge but me and the car. It gave me goosebumps, thinking about all that history.'

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