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 Packard's 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 Shelley's acquired the 443 it was all original. In
maroon and black livery, it was accented in blue. The Shelley's
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 Shelley's were
so smitten with the colors that they restored this car in the same
stunning color combination. Shortly after completing the
restoration, the Shelley's 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 Shelley's
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 Shelley's 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].