1931 Packard Model 833 Standard Eight

Packard introduced its new Eighth Series on August 14, 1930 with models that included the Standard Eight 8266 and 833, the large Deluxe 840 and 845, and a new in-house Custom Eight short wheelbase range.

Introduced in 1924, the Eight was the first Packard to receive four-wheel brakes. The 5.9-liter (357.8 CID) straight-eight engine had nine main bearings, side valves, and produced 85 horsepower. There were two wheelbase lengths and ten body styles. By 1926, the introduction of custom models dramatically changed the Packard landscape, with custom offerings from Derham, Dietrich, Fleetwood, Holbrook and Judkins among others.

In 1927, the Eight gained hypoid final drive gears and Bijur chassis lubrication, and engine displacement had grown to 6.3 liters (384.8 CID) and output to 105 hp. By 1929, Packard was solely building eight-cylinder cars. This was the year that the company introduced parabolic headlamps, chromium-plated brightwork, and a dashboard-mounted water temperature gauge in place of the preceding Motometer. A smaller 5.2-liter (319.2 CID) Standard Eight joined the lineup, with the larger engine continuing to power the Custom and Deluxe Eights.

Automobile sales throughout the industry declined as the nation struggled in the grip of the Great Depression. Packard's strategy to improve sales included generous trade-in allowances and time-payment plans. Despite their efforts, calendar year production sunk to 12,922 units, the lowest Packard production since 1921.

The Packard 826 sat atop a 127.5-inch wheelbase while the 833 on a 134.5-inch wheelbase. The 840 was on a 140.5-inch wheelbase while the 845 was on a 145.5-inch wheelbase. The 840 and 845 had the appropriate length for seven-passenger sedans, limousines, and custom coachwork. These two were known as the Senior Models and were easily distinguished from the other models by their sweeping fenders in the front. These models cost more than $1000.

New for 1931 was a four-speed manual gearbox. The Eighth Series models were equipped with a vacuum-operated Bijur chassis lubrication system and a Stewart-Warner fuel pump. Under the bonnet rested an eight-cylinder engine that produced 100 horsepower which was an increase in power by 10 over the prior year. This increase was through the integration of valves and manifolding from the prior year's 734 Speedster. The Standard eight engines had a displacement size of 319 cubic inches while the Deluxe Eights displaced 384.4 cubic inches.

There was one body style option on the 826; 11 on the 833 and 9 for the 840. Customers were able to select one of two options on the 845 series. The total was 23 body types which gave the Packard marque a very versatile list of selections for their customers. Individual Customers had 9 body styles for the 833 and 840 chassis. Two were by Dietrich and 7 were custom-made by the Packard Company.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007