1930 Packard Series 734 Eight Speedster Runabout

The Runabout was described by Packard as a 'graceful streamlined torpedo design' and was, of the five body styles offered in the Speedster 734 series, the most sporting edition of all. The Runabout was the only two-seater version of the Speedster, with a tapered rear and lowered windshield, adding to its sporty, high-performance, driver-driven persona. The driver's seat was stationary and forward of the passenger 'to ensure easy handling at high speeds.' These Speedsters, with their powerful Packard Eight engines and special custom-built coachwork, were a one-year-only, limited production model, for 'one who loves a swift car for the open road.' They remain the most revered of all Packards. This Runabout was owned by former Pebble Beach Concours Chairman Glen Mounger - twice - a testament to its significance.

The Packard 734 Speedster was the brainchild of Col. Jesse Vincent, Packard's vice president of engineering. In a similar fashion to Hot Rods that would follow, the 734 rested on a shortened and narrowed chassis and was equipped with 19-inch wheels, a high-speed rear axle, finned three-leading-shoe brake drums, and a highly tuned 385 CID straight eight. The engine featured hemispherical combustion chambers, a ribbed exhaust manifold, a two-barrel Detroit Lubricator carburetor, and nine main bearings. With the optional high-compression head, the Speedster produced an impressive 145 horsepower. Not including the Duesenberg Model J, it was the most powerful automobile offered to the public in 1930.

The Packard 734 was available in five distinct body styles including the Victoria, Sedan, Roadster, Phaeton, and Runabout. The coachwork was built in Packard's own coachworks, where standard bodies were narrowed, sectioned, and trimmed. The Runabout had a boattail rear-end, minimal top, and staggered seating arrangement. The lightweight bodies and powerful engines allowed the 734 Speedster to achieve 60 mph in second gear and had a top speed in excess of 100 mph. This was an impressive accomplishment for a car of this era, not to mention one so well-appointed.

This particular example was sales order number 25977 which carries Packard Vehicle Number 184100 and body number 442-31. It left the factory painted Plymouth and Pilgrim Gray, with Ivory Drop Black moldings and a French Gray Double Deep pinstripe.

It is believed that the original owner of this car was David R. Williams of Tulsa Oklahoma. In 1940, it was purchased by Roy Mo. Brooks of West Palm Beach, Florida, who kept the car for two decades before selling it in 1960 to Mils B. Lane of Atlanta, Georgia. After two other owners, it was purchased in 1972 by the Craven Foundation of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Glenn Mounger of Bainbridge Island, Washington acquired it in 1986, followed by Ken McBridge of Washington in 1989. The current owner, Mr. Mounger, re-acquired it in 2000.

In 1961, while in the care of Mr. Lane, Alexis de Sakhnoffsky was commissioned to render this car (and the rest of his cars in his collection) in watercolor. The Packard Speedster, which had by then been repainted white with red wheels, had its profile reproduced in numerous publications.

M.H. 'Tiny' Gould of Trucksville, PA acquired it in 1969 and sold it in 1972 to the Graven Foundation. While in Mr. Gould's ownership, the Packard was restored and displayed at the 1971 CCCA Annual Meet, where it received 99.75 points and was awarded Best of Show Junior. The Graven Foundation acquired it at the Kirk White Automobile Auction held in Radnor, PA for the sum of $51,000, the top-selling lot of the day.

Soon after Mr. Mounger's second acquisition of the car, he commissioned a complete concours-quality restoration. The work was completed in 2002 and put on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was exhibited for display only. Since then, it has been awarded a perfect 100-point score at the 2004 Pacific Northwest Grand Classic and has received major awards at other events.

Packard produced just 113 examples of the 734 Speedster. Of these, just 39 were originally sold with the Runabout body. Just 18 Runabouts are known to survive, of which just eight examples are believed to exist today with essentially original bodywork and correct Speedster components.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016