1932 Packard Model 903 Deluxe Eight Phaeton

This ninth series of Packard motorcars was first introduced at a meeting of dealers and distributors in June 1931. The most striking visual change was the V-shaped radiator and the new harmonic stabilizers at the end of the bumpers to dampen chassis harmonics.

In 1932 the Series 903 Packard Deluxe Eight models were built on the same 142.5-inch chassis as the Twin Six models. This car has the larger of two inline eight-cylinder engines at 385 cubic-inch displacement making around 135 horsepower. Packard built 95 of these Deluxe Eights as phaetons in 1932. Only three are known to have survived.

The dual-cowl or dual-windshield designs were very popular as a way to protect rear-seat passengers from the elements in these open cars; they provided a sleek style as well.

This car was originally sold through a dealer in Reading, Pennsylvania. In 1953, the Wendling brothers bought the car from a gas station. They got it running, repainted it, installed truck tires, and drove the car for a few years. They had also converted the car to a dual cowl configuration since they both had coach-building experience working at Fleetwood. The car was restored in 1996. The dual cowl was retained and the car was refinished in a silver and grey livery. The current owner acquired the car in 2011 from an estate in Delaware. Upon investigation, they discovered they had seen the car while it was in the Wendling Brothers' shop and that it had always been a favorite of their father's. Over the past few years, the car has been freshened up on an ongoing basis. It has recently received a high-compression head, metal trunk, and a toolset.

This car has been shown at Pebble Beach and has won many awards at CCCA events as well as at Meadow Brook, Greenwich, and the Alde Sherman Classic. The current owners have corrected and refreshed many aspects of the car's older restoration.