Vehicle Description
The introduction of the Sixth Series on August 1, 1928, marked some
significant changes in the lineup. Packard's legacy of exceptional
quality, engineering excellence, and sophisticated style carried on
unchanged, naturally, but the six-cylinder engine got dropped, and
they went straight-eight across the board. The base of the lineup
consisted of the 626 and 633 Standard Eight models (wheelbases of
126" and 133" respectively), with a 90 horsepower, 319 cubic-inch
eight-cylinder. The term "base model" is relative as the least
expensive sedan came in at $2,285 at a time when a new Ford was
just $435. As always, Packard's coachwork catalog was rife with
options, offering buyers no fewer than ten different body styles,
from the base sedan to a seven-passenger limousine, and a host of
open bodies as well. One of the prettiest of all was the gracefully
designed 2/4 passenger Runabout, style number 352. With its deeply
curved front fenders, low profile, and raked windscreen, the
Runabout roadster captured the essence of late-twenties American
sports motoring. This rare and desirable 2/4-passenger Runabout is
a marvelous example of Packard's sportiest offering from the Series
633 line. This car was in the long-term ownership of a dedicated
marque enthusiast and life-long CCCA and AACA member, who
commissioned its restoration in 2003. The story of this charming
1929 Packard picks up in 1956, when a young car enthusiast named
Mr. Phil Rector, fresh out of college, began the hunt for an
open-body Packard to join his model 626 sedan. An advertisement by
the Carriage Cavalcade Automobile Museum in Silver Springs,
Florida, piqued his interest - in particular, the 1929 Packard
runabout roadster in running condition, described as needing a full
restoration. Rector jumped at the opportunity and immediately went
to see the car. He found it to be much better than expected, and a
new battery was all it needed to spring to life. With a deal done
on the spot, he brought the car home, and while it was a bit tired
cosmetically, all it needed was some brake work and a pair of
replacement headlights to get it back on the road. Through the
1960s and beyond, Mr. Rector used the Packard Runabout regularly in
club events around the Southeast United States. He continually
worked on it, and treated the car to some restoration work as
required, including a paint job, a new top, and replacement rings
for the 319 cubic-inch inline eight. As Rector and his family moved
around the country, so too did the Packard. In the 1970s, they
resided in California and later Arizona, where they relished the
opportunity to soak in warm evening drives with the Packard's top
folded. A letter dated October 1993 describes the enthusiasm the
whole family had for the car, marking the occasion of it used in a
family wedding, and shuttling the kids around town in the rumble
seat. In 2003, Philip Rector and his wife Carolyn retired and moved
to Florida, naturally taking the Packard Runabout along with them.
After 47 years of regular enjoyment, they finally decided the car
was due for its first, well-earned restoration. They delivered it
to Bob Ohara of Ohara's Restorations in Frostproof, Florida, who
would tackle the project. Thanks to its years of continuous care
and maintenance, it was in surprisingly good condition and the
ideal basis for a straightforward restoration. About the most
challenging part of the project came when Rector had to pick colors
for the car. He felt the previous primrose yellow and black scheme
was outdated, and he gave considerable thought to a suitably bold
paint scheme that would reflect the car's sporty nature while also
keeping it period-appropriate. Inspiration for the vivid orange and
brown came from a period advertisement that hung in Rector's
garage, and seeing a similarly-liveried car at a show sealed the
deal. With the colors settled, the car received a high-quality
respray in orange with brown fenders, orange disc wheels, brown
trim, and a tobacco-brown leather interior. After the complete
restoration, the car now presents in lovely condition, with a
gently mellowed character from continued enjoyment. Fittingly for a
sporty runabout roadster, the body is relatively unadorned and free
from accessories to clutter up the elegant lines. Features include
dual side-mount spare wheels, body-color grille slats, a trunk rack
with a covered trunk, and purposeful black wall tires. The
paintwork is excellent, appearing well-maintained and pleasingly
detailed. There are a few minor imperfections found on close
inspection; however, the overall presentation is outstanding and
well-suited for touring and casual show. The brightwork is restored
to a similarly high standard, with excellent bumpers, radiator,
headlamps, and minor fittings. Dark brown leather provides a lovely
complement to the body. It is in excellent condition both in the
cockpit and the rumble seat area. The floor is appropriately
presented in linoleum and pyramid-pattern cast aluminum, and the
dash features beautifully restored instrumentation set in a lovely
woodgrain pattern fascia. Underhood presentation is similarly tidy,
with correct Packard green paint on the block and head, atop the
silver-painted crankcase. Black enamel manifolds and accessories
are period correct and finished to a very high standard, with
proper hardware, wiring, and plumbing. The time and effort put into
the restoration of this cherished Packard culminated in 2013, with
a CCCA Senior Award (no. 3087) followed shortly afterward by an
AACA Senior National First Prize, awarded in Lakeland, Florida.
Since leaving the Rector family after so many years of loving care,
this marvelous 633 Runabout remains in excellent condition, and its
fabulous presentation makes it suitable for continued enjoyment in
casual shows and on club tours. Offers welcome and trades
considered
