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The Packard 734 Series was the brainchild of Colonel Jesse Vincent, Packard's Vice President of Engineering. Introduced during the midst of an escalating horsepower race, the Packard 734 Speedster was the prototypical factory 'hot rod.' They were an evolution of the 626 Speedster and featured a thoroughly reworked chassis that was designed to offer excellent performance. They had a rigid boxed chassis with a short wheelbase that measured just 134.5 inches. The 734 Speedster rode on 19-inch wheels, had a high-speed rear axle, and was given special finned brake drums with three leading shoe linings. Under the bonnet was a 385 cubic-inch straight eight with nine main bearings, a two-barrel Detroit Lubricator carburetor, hemispherical combustion chambers, and a unique ribbed exhaust manifold.
The 734 Speedster was available in five distinct body styles including a boattail runabout, phaeton, victoria, sedan, and roadster. They were built in Packard's own coachworks. Their lightweight coachwork, specialized chassis, and high-performance engine gave the 734 Speedster excellent performances, with 60 MPH being achievable in second gear. The top speed was in excess of 100 mph.
This Packard 734 wears a Speedster Phaeton body, of which just 32 examples were built and just five original phaetons are known to survive. It was delivered new to Hubbard Woods Packard of Winnetka, Illinois, and sold to its first owner on May 13, 1930. It is believed the car remained in the Chicago area throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
After World War II, the car was acquired by wealthy Chicago banker, D. Cameron Peck. His collection of automobiles reached nearly 1,500 in total - ranging from early French antiques to American classics.
The majority of Mr. Peck's collection was auctioned off in 1952. The 734 Speedster Phaeton was sold to Wally Marsh, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. At the time, the car was reported to be in 'completely restored to new condition.'
In 1959, the car was purchased by Dr. Charles W. Marsh of Longview, Texas. Less than a year later, it was sold to Patrick Ferchill of Fort Worth, Texas. During the 1960s, Mr. Ferchill enjoyed the car on several classic car tours.
After thirty-five years (in 1996), the car was sold to its next (and current) owner. At the time, the car was in well-preserved, largely original condition. Finished in black with red trim and equipped with plain disc wheels, the 734 Speedster Phaeton was both complete and correct. It even wore a CCCA CARavan plate from the Texas Tour of June 1965.
The car was treated to a ground-up restoration and finished in a two-tone gray color scheme with dark blue leather upholstery. It has a polished radiator stone guard and a Goddess of Speed mascot.
The car made its restoration debut at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it earned Second in Class. It then went on to win First in Class at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and First Prize in CCCA competition, achieving a perfect 100-point score.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $975,000 - $1,300,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $975,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2012
The 734 Speedster was available in five distinct body styles including a boattail runabout, phaeton, victoria, sedan, and roadster. They were built in Packard's own coachworks. Their lightweight coachwork, specialized chassis, and high-performance engine gave the 734 Speedster excellent performances, with 60 MPH being achievable in second gear. The top speed was in excess of 100 mph.
This Packard 734 wears a Speedster Phaeton body, of which just 32 examples were built and just five original phaetons are known to survive. It was delivered new to Hubbard Woods Packard of Winnetka, Illinois, and sold to its first owner on May 13, 1930. It is believed the car remained in the Chicago area throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
After World War II, the car was acquired by wealthy Chicago banker, D. Cameron Peck. His collection of automobiles reached nearly 1,500 in total - ranging from early French antiques to American classics.
The majority of Mr. Peck's collection was auctioned off in 1952. The 734 Speedster Phaeton was sold to Wally Marsh, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. At the time, the car was reported to be in 'completely restored to new condition.'
In 1959, the car was purchased by Dr. Charles W. Marsh of Longview, Texas. Less than a year later, it was sold to Patrick Ferchill of Fort Worth, Texas. During the 1960s, Mr. Ferchill enjoyed the car on several classic car tours.
After thirty-five years (in 1996), the car was sold to its next (and current) owner. At the time, the car was in well-preserved, largely original condition. Finished in black with red trim and equipped with plain disc wheels, the 734 Speedster Phaeton was both complete and correct. It even wore a CCCA CARavan plate from the Texas Tour of June 1965.
The car was treated to a ground-up restoration and finished in a two-tone gray color scheme with dark blue leather upholstery. It has a polished radiator stone guard and a Goddess of Speed mascot.
The car made its restoration debut at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it earned Second in Class. It then went on to win First in Class at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and First Prize in CCCA competition, achieving a perfect 100-point score.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $975,000 - $1,300,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $975,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2012
2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,400,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,127,500
2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $975,000-USD $1,300,000
Sale Price :
USD $975,000
1930 Packard Series 734 Eight Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Packard Series 734 Eight
(Data based on Model Year 1930 sales)
1930 Packard 'Model 734 Speedster' Runabout Chassis#: 184098 Sold for USD$417,500 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
1930 Packard Eight Sedan Chassis#: 289803 Sold for USD$16,500 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023 | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Eight Phaeton Chassis#: 184100 Sold for USD$665,000 2019 RM Sothebys : The Guyton Collection | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout Sold for USD$1,765,000 2019 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Phaeton Chassis#: 184065 Sold for USD$1,127,500 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout Chassis#: 184100 Sold for USD$2,090,000 2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1930 Packard Speedster Eight Runabout Chassis#: 184012 Sold for USD$165,000 2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Phaeton Chassis#: 184065 Sold for USD$975,000 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Boattail Runabout Chassis#: 184089 Sold for USD$506,000 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout Chassis#: 184089 Sold for USD$187,000 2011 RM Auctions - Concours d'Elegance at St. Johns | |
1930 Packard Model 734 Boattail Speedster Chassis#: 184029 Sold for USD$181,500 2011 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island | |
1930 Packard Boattail Speedster Sold for USD$99,000 2010 Auctions America : Auburn Collector Car Auction | |
1930 Packard 734 Sold for USD$121,000 2007 Vintage Motor Car Auction at Meadow Brook Hall | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout Chassis#: 184089 Sold for USD$211,750 2005 Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall |
Packard Series 734 Eights That Failed To Sell At Auction
1930 Packard Series 734 Eight's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1930 Packard 734 Speedster | 184006 | 2017 Artcurial : Retromobile | $350,000 | $450,000 |
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1930 Packard Series 734 Eight
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