Vehicle Description
In 1930, Packard took a big leap outside of its traditional comfort
zone of luxury and prestige with the introduction of the overtly
sporty, driver-focused 734 Speedster. The 734 (7th series, 134"
wheelbase) was based on a new, shortened and boxed version of the
Standard Eight chassis, which was designed exclusively for this
model. Built in Packard's newly established in-house custom shop,
each 734 received a hotter variant of the proven 385 cubic inch
straight-eight engine. The engine was upgraded with a newly
designed separate intake manifold, oversize updraught Detroit
Lubricator carburetor, and a 45-degree mounted, finned exhaust
manifold. A larger vacuum booster was added and the engine was
mated to a model-specific four-speed gearbox. These additions could
push the new 734 to 100mph, so it also featured upgraded brakes
with large, finned drums. Contrary to popular belief, the
"Speedster" name referred not to the body style, but to the
sporting nature of the chassis. The 734 Speedster was actually
available in five different custom-catalog body styles: A two-seat
boat-tail runabout, four-seat runabout roadster with rumble seat,
sport phaeton, Victoria coupe, or sedan. In spite of the
exceptional performance and quality, Packard only sold
approximately 113 examples of the 734. The marketing team was
unsure of what to do with such a high-performance machine, given
the majority of Packard clients preferred luxury and silent
operation over outright speed. Today, the 734 is one of the most
coveted of all Packards, with only a handful of genuine examples
surviving, it is considered by many to be the Holy Grail motorcar
of the America Classic Era. We are very pleased to offer this
magnificent 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout, a fully researched
and vetted example with outstanding history and a recent,
concours-level restoration. Chassis number 184088, this fabulous
machine was delivered new to a Mrs. Sealey from Portland, Oregon.
The firewall data plate confirms this information with a stated
delivery date of 7-7-30 by Service & Sales, Inc. Portland, Oregon.
It isn't known how long Mrs. Sealey retained her Packard, but it
was acquired by William F. Harrah in 1960, and it became part of
his famous, world-class collection of motor cars. Mr. Harrah
retained this Packard for twenty-six years, this automobile a clear
standout in a collection that spanned as many as 1,800 cars.
Following its time with Harrah, the car went directly to another
important collection, that of General William Lyon. General Lyon
was a noted connoisseur of important Packards, and this car was one
of the true flagships of his collection. While in his care, the
Speedster was kept in exceptional mechanical order by his team of
full time mechanics, and it is said that General Lyons enjoyed
driving it immensely, calling it "a car for the true enthusiast".
The Speedster left the Lyons Collection in 2011 and while in the
hands of its next and most recent owner was treated to a careful,
yet comprehensive restoration to the stunning livery you see it
today. Since General Lyons' ownership, it has been carefully
inspected by Packard 734 experts and found to be highly correct,
still equipped with the original body (No. 442-26), chassis (No.
184088), engine (No. 184095), and other major components. The
beautiful maroon coachwork is accented with black feature lines,
fenders and chassis. The presentation is exceptional as one would
expect from a concours-ready example, with impeccable panel fit,
paint finishes, and show-quality chrome plating. Six exquisite new
chrome wire wheels were specially built for this car and fitted
with blackwall tires to provide the signature sporting character.
The top is trimmed in black Haartz canvas, atop a fully restored
frame. Side curtains are also included, as is a clear plastic dust
cover for the top. Gorgeous, virtually new black leather seats are
in beautiful order; staggered in the cockpit to allow the driver
room for more spirited driving. Bright red carpets are bound in
black enhance the sporty nature of the cabin as well. All detailing
and finish work is executed to the highest of standards, worthy of
show on the world's concours circuit. Mechanically, this Packard is
fully sorted and well-prepared, with performance to match its
exceptional cosmetic quality. It would be equally at home on a tour
as it would on the show circuit and is a delight to drive.
Comprehensive inspections confirm that it retains the original
engine, steering box, frame, and rear axle as well as the correct
finned manifolds. The gearbox, a known weak point on these 1930
models, has been replaced with a visually identical four-speed unit
from 1931 as it has inherently stronger internals than the earlier
units. In fact, of the 19 known 1930 734 Speedsters, only 7 retain
their original gearboxes, and this modification is widely accepted
in the Packard community, particularly for any car that will be
driven and enjoyed as intended. The only other non-original
component found was the front axle, though it retains the correct
Speedster finned drum brakes. Detailing on the chassis and engine
is virtually faultless, as one would expect from a show-ready and
lightly driven example. Having had just three owners in 57 years,
this is an incredibly rare opportunity to acquire one of just a
handful of genuine, verified 734 Speedster Runabouts in existence.
It is a stunning motorcar with remarkable history in the hands of
world-famous collectors and a restoration that is beyond reproach.
Widely considered to be the ultimate Packard, the 734 Speedster
Runabout seamlessly combines high style, exquisite quality, and
100mph performance in a timeless, stunningly beautiful package.