Packard Merlin V12 Cylinder Head Desk Lamp Heads to Auction
A desk lamp crafted from a cylinder head of a WWII Packard Merlin V-1650 aircraft engine is set for auction. The lamp retains original valves and springs and is part of the Roush Aviation collection sale.
A desk lamp made from a genuine cylinder head of a World War II-era Packard Merlin V-1650 V12 aircraft engine is heading to auction. The unusual item, which retains its original valves and springs, will be offered by Mecum Auctions as part of the Roush Aviation collection.
The lamp's base is a section of cylinder head from above a single piston. It has been fitted with an Edison-style lightbulb and a power cord. The source notes this is one of the most unusual WWII-related items it has encountered recently.
The Engine's Wartime Legacy
The Packard V-1650 was the American-built version of the British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. It became famous for powering the North American P-51D Mustang, transforming it into a high-altitude escort fighter. Packard also built these engines for British aircraft like the Spitfire, Mosquito, and Lancaster bombers.
Rolls-Royce initially developed the Merlin as a private venture in the 1930s. The 27-liter V12 first ran in 1933. A major breakthrough came in 1941 with a new two-stage supercharger design, which significantly boosted high-altitude performance for aircraft like the Spitfire IX.
Packard's Manufacturing Role
With British production capacity maxed out, Packard Motor Car Company agreed in September 1940 to manufacture the Merlin for Allied forces. The company spent over a year redrawing the engine to American manufacturing standards. Packard also swapped the main bearings for silver-lead ones with indium plating.
Full production began in 1942. The first American model, the V-1650-1, was equivalent to the Merlin XX and powered Lancaster bombers and Curtiss P-40F Warhawks. The more powerful two-stage V-1650-3 and -7 models later became the heart of the P-51 Mustang.
Specifications and Scale of Production
The report provides key figures for the engine and its production run during the war.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Model | Packard V-1650-7 |
| Weight | 1,690 lbs |
| Maximum Power | 1,695 bhp at 3,000 rpm |
| Unit Cost to Army Air Forces | $25,000 |
| Total U.S. Production (Army) | 55,511 engines |
| Packard's Share of Production | 54,714 engines |
| Continental's Share of Production | 797 engines |
Silodrome notes the $25,000 unit cost was enough to buy a nice house at the time. In total, Packard built 54,714 Merlins, while Continental produced another 797.
From Wartime Powerplant to Desk Accessory
The cylinder head lamp represents a unique piece of engineering history repurposed. The artifact connects directly to the engines that powered legendary aircraft. The lamp is now a functional item, with its vintage industrial components serving as a striking base for a modern lightbulb.
Interested bidders can find the lamp listed in Mecum's auction catalog for the Roush Aviation collection.
