1930 Packard Series 734 Eight Speedster Roadster

Packard was produced from 1899 to 1958. It was known for its superb engineering and craftsmanship. Between 1924 and 1930, Packard was also the top-selling luxury brand in the world.

This roadster was built in Detroit at the Albert Kahn-designed complex collectively known as 'the Packard Plant' which covered 3.5 million square feet and employed 40,000 workers. In addition to cars and trucks, the factory manufactured engines for World War II fighter planes. It was the largest manufacturing facility in the world when it closed.

The 740 Roadster rides on a 140.5-inch wheelbase and is powered by an ultra-smooth straight eight, 384 cubic-inch engine with carburetion by the Detroit Lubricator Company. Making 106 horsepower and with its 4.69 gear ratio, it was capable of being driven at 55 miles per hour all day and with total reliability, which was something that only the world's best cars were capable of in 1930. It could do all of that and still deliver 15 miles per gallon. The smoothness of the engine was part of the Packard mystique. 'Ask the man who owns one' was the company's slogan and owners were not shy about boasting of the smoothness and reliability of their Packards.

Many of Packard's records from this era have not survived, but it is known that fewer than 100 examples of this motorcar were built. This is one of the very last built and only 12 of these cars are currently known to survive.