Pick of the Day: Ah, the elegance of the pre-war Packard

Even in straight-8, 1100 guise, these were high-class cars

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1934 Packard Eight
Elegant is the word for this 1934 Packard Eight

“By 1934,” notes the Rogers, Minnesota, dealer advertising the Pick of the Day, a 1934 Packard Eight, on ClassicCars.com, “Packard was probably in the strongest position of the manufacturers comprising the ‘Three P’s, Pierce-Arrow, Peerless, and Packard, which were the leading independent luxury American auto manufacturers.”

Remember that the Depression had struck in 1929 and lasted a decade. The low point came in 1933, when 15 million Americans were unemployed and half of the nation’s banks had closed. Oh, and to make things even worst, there was the Dust Bowl that devastated the plains and prairies.

And yet, as the dealer reminds, Packard actually turned a profit in 1933.

“The 1934 Packards further refined its existing product offering,” the dealer notes, adding that the Eight Model 1100 Sedan on offer “is an elegant and luxurious automobile and is a former AACA National First Place recipient.”

The 1100, a 4-door, comfortable-for-5-passengers sedan, was the most affordable of Packard’s model lines, and in 1934 was offered in three series, based on wheelbase lengths, and each powered by an L-head, 319.2cid straight-8 rated at 120 horsepower. The engine links to a 3-speed manual transmission with floor-mounted shifter.

“The exterior of this Packard has been refinished in a beautiful two-tone paint scheme comprised of Chickory Green and Arcady Green with Yellow striped accents,” the dealer notes. 

“Sitting on 4 wide whitewall bias-ply tires wrapped around wire wheels with Packard Eight Hubcaps, this 1100 Sedan has a truly classic look.”

The car has dual side-mounted spare wheels that “add to the luxurious appearance of this premier automobile.”

Inside, the dealer reports, “this luxury pre-war Packard is extravagant! The front and rear bench seats have been reupholstered in a beautiful Gray Broadcloth and have an elevated tufted look. The front door panels, rear suicide door panels, headliner, wall coverings, and rear arm rests have been recovered in the matching gray broadcloth as well, tying the entire interior look of the car together.

“The woodgrain trim around all of the interior windows along with the woodgrain trim accents are in fantastic condition. The woodgrain dash and steering wheel are in wonderful shape as well and have a period correct look and feel. 

“The chrome instrument cluster appears to be in its stock configuration and is equipped with a 120 mph speedometer, oil pressure gauge, gasoline gauge, temperature gauge, amp gauge, Waltham clock, and a key-locked AM Radio, which was a new addition for the 1934 Packards.”

The dealer adds that the odometer reads 85,414 miles and that the car originally was delivered by Jones & Manske Inc., of Reading, Pennsylvania.

The car is offered for $52,995. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Good afternoon my name is Peter if you could please give me a call back at four1415 240 9200 I would like to speak about this cart thank you

  2. Such a beautiful and elegant car no wonder Rolls borrowed its whole suspension. Pity they went out of business best in the world American craftsmenship.

  3. YUP i been around a long time, 88yrs to be close!
    15yrs 1949 had a paper route with bicycle , a customer had a 1937 Packard V12 , settin for couple yrs!
    he put a for sale notice on it , i asked how much $175. dollars!
    i said to much i found a 1932 FORD roadster for $30. bucks!
    i think the industry has changed a lot?

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