Be nice to your mechanic!

It was not so long ago (in the grand scheme of things) (OK, it was 1903) that this Packard was driven from San Francisco to New York, in 51 days. I thought the frowning man riding along was the mechanic, but it was a reporter. What’s his problem?

I’m not sure how this trip took place, with few decent roads, and unfriendly locals in some places. Nobody likes change.