The 1928 Packard Custom Eight Model 443 Phaeton featured here is
finished in stunning two-tone periwinkle and sky blue, with accents
of red and tan and a beautiful tan leather interior. This
particular 443 was previously subjected to a complete documented
restoration in 1970 and was sympathetically updated in 2017 and
2018. It displays a consistent patina that presents wonderfully.
This Packard participated in the 2017 CCCA Arizona CARavan,
successfully covering about 1,200 miles over two weekends. This
includes summiting the 7,600 ft elevation mountain pass and
climbing many hills at freeway speeds. The Packard 443 is
considered by most experts as being one of the important high
performing classics, along with Duesenburg, Marmon and Rolls Royce.
We would comfortably drive this Packard anywhere. HISTORY OF THIS
443 In late 1969, Lyle and Mary Shelley of Rockford, Illinois
bought the 443 from a handyman-plumber from Jamesville, Illinois
(VIN 232735). The Jamesville gentleman also owned a Packard Twelve.
It was said that the seller enjoyed his libations a little too
freely. The Packards early life was said to be from Lake Geneva or
Geneva, Illinois. When Lyle bought the car it was all original and
the engine was disassembled. It had accumulated approximate 21,000
miles. When the Shelleys acquired the 443 it was all original. In
maroon and black livery, it was accented in blue. The Shelleys then
took the following year to strip the car to bare metal, rebuild the
engine and all systems and complete a full restoration. Included in
engine rebuild was a new set of poured bearings and the crankshaft
was reground. Mary did the full tan leather upholstery and tan
canvas convertible top and side curtains while Lyle disassembled
the car and engine. The chassis was painted in light blue. The
two-tone blue paint with cream accents and orange coach stripes was
applied by an up and coming young man who, shortly after completing
the 443 opened up a paint shop nearby. The color combination was
copied from a Packard owned by another longtime 443 phaeton owner,
Bob Joynt, also from Chicagoland. The Shelleys were so smitten with
the colors that they restored this car in the same stunning color
combination. Shortly after completing the restoration, the Shelleys
set out on a large number of Glidden Tours. They enjoyed touring in
the Packard to Ottawa, Indiana and Florida. Never in the 47 years
of ownership, had the 443 let them down. In addition, it had never
been transported in all those years. During the Daytona Beach tour,
Lyle raced the Packard on the sand and around the track.
Afterwards, they participated in the Disney parade with the 443.
Over the years the Packard has been used in countless weddings and
parades, carrying elected officials and other dignitaries. Their
son, Mark, had been involved in many of the tours and special
events with the Packard. The Shelleys also collected other
classics, including a 526 runabout and a 1914 Locomotive Model 48
touring. After completing several Glidden Tours with the Packard
443, they slowly became more involved with Model A and T tours. The
Packard now has accumulated 43,000 original miles. Fortunately, the
Shelleys brought out several photo albums of the restoration and
the many tours. I made sure to take copies to preserve the early
history of the 443. We now have photos from their trip in 1971 with
the Packard driving on the Atlantic coast and I have photos of it
being displayed at the La Jolla Concours with the Pacific Ocean in
the background! OUR FUN WITH THIS 443 I had a chance to drive the
Packard through the countryside of Rockford during my pre-purchase
inspection. The 443 drove beautifully, with excellent oil pressure,
the charging system working and the operating temperature staying
appropriately rock solid. All of the lights, horn and instruments
worked well, except the fluid filled gas gauge. The mighty eight
cylinder engines power was smooth and the transmission was quiet
and crisp. They kept the car until 2017 and it had accumulated
about 41,000 original miles. We have sine put about 2,000 miles on
the car, including participating in the La Jolla Concours and Tour,
the Arizona Concours Tour, the CCCA CARavan described earlier and
many club events. This example is considered a full classic by the
Classic Car Club of America; it comes lavishly appointed with dual
side mount spares, an elegant folding rear tonneau windshield and
more. It comes complete with the luggage, side curtains, and cover
for the trunk. Hailing from a time when engineering, function and
style blended perfectly, the Packard 443 Phaeton is widely
considered by enthusiasts to be the pinnacle model. This example is
the perfect classic to enjoy on a vintage caravan or tour and we
are proud to offer it to the most astute collector, investor or
enthusiast who appreciates the provenance of this classic pre-war
model. HISTORY OF THE PACKARD CUSTOM EIGHT 443 PHAETON The Packard
443 model was unveiled on July 1, 1927. These new Big Eight models
were still considered part of the 4th series of Packard and all
rode on an imposing 143 wheelbase chassis. The Packard 443 catalog
offered no less than twenty different body arrangements, ensuring
that all individual tastes were well suited. While approximately
7,800 443 chassis were built for 1928, the varying bodies meant
that individual production numbers were quite low, with open bodied
cars being procured by the most affluent of clientele. Body style
311 was the Custom Eight 443 5-passenger Phaeton a very imposing
aesthetic for the Great Depression era. The Custom Eight 443
Phaeton featured dual side mounts spares and numerous accessories
including a folding luggage rack with a removable trunk as well as
a rear folding tonneau windshield that could be adjusted by the
rear passengers. Today, the Packard 443 Phaeton is considered to be
one the marque's greatest models because it achieved a level of
engineering, style and luxury that could only come from Packard.
NADA VALUE $295,200 DISCOUNT $186,400 BUY IT NOW PRICE $108,800 For
more information, please call Harry Clark at +1.602.245.7200 or
email us at
[email protected].