Vehicle Description
On the eve of the Great Depression, Packard enjoyed record profits
and sales. The 1929 fiscal year was a huge success, and Packard
rode that momentum into 1930. Company managers were well aware of
the trouble brewing on Wall Street, yet remained cautiously
optimistic they would weather the storm. The new 7th series
consisted of the 726, 733, 734 Speedster, 740, and 745 - with the
last two digits of each roughly denoting the wheelbase in inches.
Ray Dietrich restyled the whole line for the new decade, producing
a design that was lower and longer than before. Wheelbases
increased across the board, and the 733, 740, and 745 models all
shared the same bodies, with the additional length taken up by the
hood. The engine sat further back in the chassis to improve
balance, and some other minor changes freshened up the looks for
the new decade. While Cadillac may have stolen the headlines with
their remarkable yet costly new V16, Packard stayed the course with
their proven, reliable and refined inline-eight cylinder engines.
The motivation for the Standard Eight came in the form of a 319.2
cubic-inch unit, developing a healthy 90 horsepower, which aligned
it directly with the Cadillac 353 V8. A new four-speed gearbox
offered an ultra-low first gear. Aside from that, changes over 1929
were few, aimed merely at improving the refinement and reliability.
Packard's measured approach paid off, and despite the worsening
economic conditions, sales only dropped slightly over the previous
year. Of course, harder times were yet to come, but by holding to
their values, Packard would weather the storm. By the time the
depression lifted, Packard was battered and bruised, yet they had
fared so much better than many of their rivals. The
standard-setting Packards of 1930 stand today as some of the finest
driving cars of the Classic Era, with impeccable style and presence
to match their performance. This 1930 Packard Eight Club Sedan
benefits from an outstanding, high-quality restoration finished to
concours standards. The recent history began in the early 2000s
when the car was located in Pennsylvania. It passed to a
Connecticut-based enthusiast, as a complete and driving car in need
of some refurbishment. What began as a simple refresh soon grew
into a comprehensive, nut-and-bolt restoration with meticulous
detailing. Byron York of Ridgefield, Connecticut handled much of
the initial mechanical restoration. Later, the body restoration,
cosmetic finishing, and interior were entrusted to Black Horse
Garage of Bridgeport, Connecticut. There, the body was stripped
down, carefully realigned and refinished in a striking black, gray,
and silver combination. Setting off the impressive body are
beautiful red pinstripes and red accented disc wheels wrapped in
wide whitewall tires. The car features a comprehensive array of
period accessories, including Depress Beam headlamps, dual fixed
Trippelight fog lamps, and a single Pilot-Ray spotlight. There's
also a mesh radiator stone guard, Goddess of Speed mascot, wind
wings, a covered trunk, and rear-mount spare wheel. The quality of
the paintwork is outstanding, and it remains in exquisite condition
in the time since the restoration was completed. Likewise, the
chrome plating is gorgeous - with many of the significant
components restored by the Pebble Beach-winning shop D&D
Brightworks of Ohio. The incredible detailing and presentation are
finished to a standard seldom seen on Classic Era sedans such as
this. The interior treatment is no less impressive. Stripe-pattern
fabric covers the seats, with gray carpets, door panels and
headlining. The fit is exceptional, and the highly-detailed
presentation is delightful. Rear seat passengers enjoy a luxurious,
fully-dressed cabin with footrests, a Packard lap blanket on the
robe rail, bud vases, rear window blind, and braided grab handles.
Finely finished woodgrain trim surrounds the windows. Up front, the
driver faces original instruments set into a wood-grained dash,
along with restored switches and controls, and given this is a Club
Sedan; the driver enjoys a much roomier cockpit than in cars
equipped with a division window. Packard's inline eight presents in
excellent order, finished in correct green and silver paint, with
period-appropriate plumbing and fittings. Painted surfaces are
quite good, and detailing is to the same standard set by the
exterior. A lovely brass reproduction Detroit Lubricator carburetor
feeds the engine, with black porcelain manifolds in excellent
condition. A key goal of the restoration was to ensure the car
drives every bit as good as it looks, and it was driven regularly
by the then-owner. Today, the engine runs very well, and the car
benefits from careful dialing-in for enjoyment on the road.
Following the restoration, this Packard appeared at numerous
prominent East Coast shows and concours. It participated in the
Lime Rock Sunday in the Park Concours, Hilton Head Island Concours,
Concours of the Eastern United States, and Greenwich Concours
d'Elegance. It earned an AACA Senior award in 2009, and in 2012
appeared at the Packard Automobile Club National Meet where it
scored an exceptional 394 out of 400 possible points. It then
passed into the hands of a well-known collector before making its
way to the current owner who has continued to maintain it in
exceptional condition. Packard's 733 was a very prestigious and
luxurious car when new, and it enjoys Full Classic status in the
Classic Car Club of America. At a time when a Ford Model A started
at $435, it took more than six times that amount to get behind the
wheel of a 733 Club Sedan. Several enthusiastic owners have
cherished this marvelous example, and it remains in outstanding
condition. The sale includes a large stack of invoices documenting
the restoration, as well as Packard club judging sheets, and period
brochures and advertisements. This charming and beautifully
restored Club Sedan is wonderfully suited to regular enjoyment on
tours, while still retaining a crisp and highly detailed
presentation.
