On January 23, 1929, The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Republican
newspaper proclaimed that “Packards Shown at Special Salon.” The
story stated that “Because of the comprehensive line of Packard
motor cars and the necessarily limited space at the Armory, Packard
cars will be displayed at a special Packard salon in the Scranton
Packard headquarters of the Lackawanna Automobile companies Wyoming
Avenue and Vine Street location all this week.” The Lackawanna
Automobile company was the distributor for all of northeastern
Pennsylvania, and had the largest display rooms in the entire
Eastern United States, even exceeding in size most of the
metropolitan branch salesrooms. Special decorations and flood
lighting were employed to make this the finest showing of Packards
held anywhere in the east.
Packard, like many other American luxury car manufacturers, was not
immediately affected by the stock market crash of 1929. In fact,
the company continued to employ over 7,000 workers and its
commanding buildings loomed over both sides of Detroit’s East Grand
Boulevard. What’s more, Packard introduced the 640 Custom Eight
that year. The Sixth Series 140.5-inch wheelbase 640 Custom
Eight would be available in nine different body styles and, in
total, 4,853 of this model would be produced for the 1929 model
year.
As detailed in the January/February 2007 issue of Torque, a
publication of the CCCA’s Michigan chapter, this 640 Custom Eight
was acquired by its previous owner in March 2002 after having
received restoration work in 1999 from renowned expert Jack Dietz,
curator of the William Lassiter, Jr. Collection. Shortly before its
acquisition, the car was expertly detailed and freshened before
receiving a complete body-off restoration by R & A Engineering of
Michigan two years later. A CCCA Premier Classic, the car has since
been awarded numerous honors at several prestigious concours events
that includes Amelia Island Concours, Ault Park Concours and Lake
Mirror Classic.
During its restoration, the car was finished in black with orange
artillery wood spoke wheels and a beige folding top piped in saddle
leather to match the richly appointed interior leather on the doors
and seats – a color combination believed to be more typical of the
era and very authentic for a Sixth Series Packard. In fact, the
June 1929 American Motorist magazine featured a black and orange
roadster in an ad titled “Packard Men are Carefully Chosen.” The
car remains in show-quality condition throughout, from the
beautifully upholstered rumbleseat to the restored and detailed
engine bay. The power comes from Packards 384.8ci, 106hp inline
eight-cylinder engine which is mated to a three-speed manual
transmission.
The radiator features an optional basket-weave stoneguard and is
accented by the distinctive Adonis radiator mascot. The windshield
is hinged to be able to access fresh air. Other notable extra
features include dual spotlights, a wood rail rear-mounted trunk
rack, and dual side-mounted spares with tire-mounted rearview
mirrors. A note of distinction and detail must go to the golf club
access door housing a set of period clubs. Subtle gold pinstriping
is found on the orange wheels and belt moldings.
After nearly 90 years, these roadster bodies have become
particularly sought after by collectors as they epitomize truly
open motoring and embody the classic Packard grandeur of a bygone
era.
Please note, this vehicle will be offered for sale only at the Central Pennsylvania Auto Auction, July 14th and 15th, 2017 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. For more information contact us at (800) 248-8026 or visit www.cpaautoauction.com.
