Vehicle Description
In the late 1920s, Packard was riding high on a wave of record
sales and profits. With little indication of the economic trouble
to come for the luxury car market as a whole, the company forged
ahead with their latest model, the Seventh Series, introduced in
August 1929, just a few months shy of the stock market crash. The
range opened with the 726 and 733 Standard Eight, followed by the
uncharacteristically sporty 734 Speedster, culminating in the 740
Custom Eight, and finally the flagship 745 Deluxe Eight. Ray
Dietrich, head of Packard's in-house styling department, modified
the design language he created for the 6th series, making it lower
and more graceful while shedding any ties with the 1920s once and
for all. Packard now employed the same standard bodies across the
range, while the hood length made up the difference in wheelbase
between the models. That gave the grand 145.5-inch wheelbase Deluxe
Eight a particularly striking and powerful appearance. Of the vast
array of open and closed body styles offered by Packard and other
coachbuilders on the 745 Deluxe Eight chassis, few are as iconic as
the factory's own Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton. Styled and built at
Packard's in-house body shop, it exemplified the glamor and
grandeur of the early 1930s and remained one of the most
collectible classic-era American automobiles. This superbly
restored 1930 745 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton is a CCCA Senior Premier
Award winner (number 1402), beautifully presented in two-tone red
and fastidiously detailed to concours quality standards. Despite
the older restoration, it is in stunningly beautiful condition,
with exceptional paint, brightwork, and detailing. This car's
earliest history is unknown; however, the story picks up in the
late 1960s when the McGowan brothers of Connecticut purchased it
from the second owner. They, in turn, sold it as a complete,
original car to the renowned collector Mr. William Lassiter in the
1980s. Mr. Lassiter then commissioned Rob Stewart of
Charlottesville, Virginia, to perform a full restoration completed
in the late 80s. It went on to earn accolades with the CCCA and
AACA before leaving the Lassiter collection in the late 1990s. As
offered, it is in remarkably fine condition, thanks to expert care
and light freshening in the hands of its most recent owner. The
body is beautifully finished with superb panel fit and outfitted
with a host of period accessories, including a radiator stone
guard, dual steerable Pilot Ray driving lamps, Adonis mascot,
polished side-mount covers, correct wood-trimmed luggage rack,
chrome wire wheels, and more. The cabin features beautifully
trimmed dark red leather with matching carpet. Detailing of the
dash, instruments, controls, and decorative trim is superb.
Likewise, the tan canvas top is in excellent condition, detailed
with maroon piping and including a complete set of matching side
curtains. Packard's legendary 120-horsepower L-head inline-eight is
very well-presented in the engine bay, and the level of detail
belies the age of the restoration. It is correctly painted in
Packard green with a silver crankcase and black porcelain enamel
accessories, which are finely finished. Period correct clamps,
wiring, and hardware are in place, and it is updated with an oil
filter for additional protection when touring. These powerful and
robust engines are among the finest of their time, paired with the
meticulously engineered 745 chassis, making for an unforgettable
driving experience. Thanks to years of expert care in the hands of
experienced collectors, this Packard remains as breathtaking as
ever. With its superb restoration and eminently desirable dual cowl
phaeton coachwork, it would undoubtedly make an impact on the
concours lawn, yet is sure to provide endless pleasure on CCCA
CARavan tours or similar driving events. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6973-1930-packard-745-dual-cowl-phaeton/
