Written by independent automotive journalist Rich Taylor

This pair of 1930s Packards – a 1933 Packard Super Eight Touring 5-7 Passenger (Lot #1384) and a 1934 Packard Eight Rumble-Seat Coupe (Lot #1386) – will be crossing the 2017 Scottsdale auction block as part of the prestigious Salon Collection.

Packard was the most successful American luxury car of the Golden Era. Guided by General Manager Alvin Macauley and Chief Engineer Jesse Vincent, each year from 1924 through 1930, Packard was the best-selling luxury brand in the world, typically outselling Cadillac, Lincoln and Pierce-Arrow combined. There was no secret to this success … Packard sold solid, elegant, powerful luxury cars built to last forever.

The Great Depression changed everything. By 1933, all other luxury car makers were either out of business or about to be. Cadillac, Chrysler and Lincoln survived only because they were part of large conglomerates. But Packard continued as an independent luxury carmaker. Packard models ‒ now called Eight, Super Eight and Twelve ‒ continued to be built, albeit in smaller numbers, essentially by hand.

LOT #1384 – 1933 PACKARD SUPER EIGHT TOURING 5-7 PASSENGER – VIN #750406

This spectacular Super Eight Touring 5-7 Passenger (Lot #1384) was formerly the prize possession of Will Hank, Board Member of the Packard International Club. It was featured on the cover of the Club magazine in the summer of 1969, and still carries a rare California “black plate” license. The original factory data plate ‒ 650-12 ‒ confirms this is the third Touring 5-7 built in 1933. This imposing machine is resplendent in two-tone Ivory over Copper, with a Khaki convertible top. The Chocolate Brown leather interior and polished Carpathian Elm dash with American Walnut trim provide subtle contrast.

Among rare period options and accessories on this elegant Tourer are dual side-mount spares with side-mount mirrors, dual Trippe lights, dual cowl-mounted spotlights, adjustable wind wings, rear luggage rack with matching trunk and the famous “Packard Pelican” hood ornament. Of course, it features a folding rear windshield and a pair of folding jump seats, too.

Built on a new “X-cross member” frame stretching out to a 142-inch wheelbase, this Model 1004-650 Touring 5-7 weighs 4,610 lbs. and cost $2,980 in 1933. The Super Eight is powered by a smooth and torquey 145 horsepower, 384.8ci L-head inline-8 boasting nine main bearings. The transmission is a manual synchromesh 3-speed; brakes are 4-wheel mechanical drums with servo-assist.

Packard completed 4,800 cars in 1933, a far cry from their 1928 record of 49,628. There were only 1,300 Super Eights sold in 13 body styles, and as you might expect, sporty open models are the rarest. Even better, except for the engine, a Super Eight is essentially identical to a pricier Packard Twelve. Skirted front fenders were new for 1933, along with 17-inch wire spoke wheels, dual-throat downdraft carburetor and single-plate clutch.

Recipient of an older restoration, this lovely Packard Super Eight is still pristine, and frankly looks like the restoration was just completed. It shows minimal signs of use, but remains clean, tight, straight and tidy. All instruments and controls appear to be in excellent condition, and the car drives very well. Senior Packards are among the most desirable of all Full Classics, thanks to their smooth performance, robust construction and fashionable styling. A Packard Tourer like this is as good as it gets ‒ and that is very, very good indeed.

LOT #1386 – 1934 PACKARD EIGHT RUMBLE-SEAT COUPE – VIN #718142

Atop the distinctive grille of this exquisite Packard flies the famous “Goddess of Speed.” Built on the 1101 136-inch wheelbase, this Model 718 Coupe 2/4 (Lot #1386) weighs 4,580 lbs. and cost $2,932 in 1934. The flawless silver paint ‒ highlighted by subtle blue and gray pinstripes ‒ is beautifully set off by a gray wool broadcloth interior. The dashboard is Packard’s trademark polished Carpathian Elm with American Walnut trim.

Packard’s Eight is identical to the more expensive Super Eight except that its bore is 3-3/16 inch instead of 3-1/2 inch, reducing its displacement to 320ci and output to 120 horsepower. This particular Packard Eight has optional deluxe equipment, including chrome radiator shell and shutters, dual side-mount spares with side-mount mirrors, dual Trippe lights, chrome hubcabs, chrome trim rings and a rear trunk rack. The rear rumble seat is upholstered in blue leather.

Many experts consider a 1934 Eleventh Series Packard to be the ultimate CCCA Full Classic, the perfect blend of style, performance and craftsmanship. Packard built 8,000 Eleventh Series cars, 5,120 of them Eights. One of the best is this gorgeous 3-window coupe, treated to a complete restoration in 2005. It then won both the Lion Award and a Blue Ribbon at the prestigious 2005 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance and Best in Class at the 2005 Willistead Classic Concours before being retired from judged competition.

It has obviously been meticulously maintained since ‒ even the chassis and engine compartment are still detailed to concours quality. This beautifully proportioned and elegantly sporty coupe will be a sensation at any CCCA concours or tour, or the enviable centerpiece of any classic collection.

For up-to-date information on these vehicles and others on the 2017 Scottsdale docket, click HERE.