- Offered from the William B. Ruger Jr. Collection
- Believed upgraded in period to a 1936 Super Eight engine
- Handsome restoration by Chris Charlton; accompanied by
restoration file
- An unusually powerful and handsome Nickel Era "hot rod"
Hot rods are nothing new. Witness this 1924 Packard Single Eight
Runabout, delivered new by renowned Southern California dealer
Earle C. Anthony. According to a previous owner, the drivetrain had
been updated for the original Santa Barbara owner with the present,
more potent 14th Series Super Eight engine and matching
transmission and clutch.
It is believed that these were fitted "new" to the car in 1936, as
the modification was very professionally done, with the motor
mounts cleanly gas-welded into place. The top, windshield,
headlights, and wheels were updated as well, along with the
bumpers�Ford Model A units! The resulting 150-horsepower and fully
synchromesh gears were exactly the sort of improvements that
William B. Ruger Jr. would have done to the car had he owned it
in-period, and so, naturally, he was very attracted to the Packard.
According to a previous owner, the car came out of the estate of
the original owner in Santa Barbara around 1990 and subsequently
passed to noted collector Ted Leonard.
Mr. Ruger acquired it after the Leonard Collection was sold, and
commissioned a full restoration by Chris Charlton of Classic Car
Services in Oxford, Maine, in this beautiful combination of Chicory
Green with black fenders and beltline, red striping, dark brown
leather upholstery, beige cloth top with matching boot, and green
steel wheels shod in blackwall tires. Combined with a rear-mounted
spare, the result is a highly purposeful-looking machine, which
looks quick�and it is. Turn signals were added for convenience and
safety in modern driving. Underneath, a correct replacement engine
block and new aluminum cylinder head were fitted, along with
upgraded gears in the rear axle. All finishes still present well,
including excellent paint and nickel plating, with only minor signs
of Mr. Ruger's enthusiastic road use visible underneath.
This is a fascinating automobile, both to drive and to admire, with
quality craftsmanship and innovative thought visible
throughout�everything that the late Mr. Ruger enjoyed in a motor
car.
Please note that it is believed that coolant has leaked into the
engine oil. This will require further diagnosis and repair.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
