1930 Packard Series 740 Custom Eight Sedan Limousine

After enjoying the company's most successful year to date, Packard followed this up with the Seventh-Series Packard's introduced on August 29th of 1929. Styling was overseen by designer Ray Dietrich, and the bodies were lower with sleeker lines, new headlamps repositioned from the cowl to the front fenders, and flowing front fenders. The Seventh Series is fondly remembered for the introduction of the 734 Speedster with innovative features that included a performance rear axle ratio, and a high compression cylinder head. The new low gear to the three-speed gearbox created a smooth-starting four-speed. Packard did not build its own carburetor, instead, it selected an outsourced dual-throat Detroit Lubricator updraft unit to feed its eight-cylinder engine. The slightly sloped grille was given thermostatically controlled shutters, and cooling was improved by a redesigned water pump with dual fan belts. For the 1930 models, five more lubrication points were added.

Although a wide range of custom bodies was offered, most were production cars. This changed when Alvan Macauley advocated bringing custom coachbuilding in-house and 1931 was the year his plan was implemented. His reasoning was that Packard's body-building was unmatched and the quality of its in-house work was equal to, if not better than, independent coachbuilders. Additionally, it would allow better coordination between chassis construction and custom coachbuilding, increase Packard's efficiency, and improve the operating margins.

The 1930s were a difficult time for the economy as the Great Depression's grip on America tightened into a stranglehold. Packard remained at the top of the luxury car segment but its future, like many of its competitors, was tenuous. Packard responded with its full managerial, technical, and financial power resulting in the introduction of the new Twin Six V12 and the lower-priced Light Eight. Both would debut as Ninth Series 1932 models.

The Super Eight series would continue the evolution from the successful Sixth series, with more elegant and better-integrated lights, modern coachwork, and attractive wheels. Powering the 740 Series was an L-head inline eight-cylinder engine displacing 385 cubic inches and offering 106 horsepower. It was backed by a four-speed manual transmission, had a 140.5-inch wheelbase, and braking was handled by four-wheel mechanical drums. The front had a solid axle with the back being a live axle, with suspension comprised of semi-elliptic leaf springs.

This particular 1930 Packard Custom Eight Limousine was ordered from Packard and delivered for final assembly to Leonard Williams and Co. of London, the Packard distributor for the whole of Britain. After receiving modifications for the British market, the car was sold to a Mr. William Selkirk, through the Williams dealership. The car would be with Mr. Selkirk at his Colwood House until his death in 1960. Since then, the car has remained in the care of three private collections, on both sides of the pond.

This is a right-hand-drive example with trafficator turn signals and 'Boa Constrictor' horn. The burled-wood dash retains its Leonard Williams dealership plaque. It has its original interior and on the outside is most of the original paint, original glass, and optional dual side-mount spare tires. It has an original accessory trunk with fitted luggage.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020