1930 Packard Series 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible Sedan

In 1929 before the Wall Street Crash, more Americans held stock in Packard than in any other listed company save for General Motors. Arguably, most of these shareholders didn't own Packards, but nonetheless, recognized value and a smart investment when they saw one. Short of a custom coach-built Packard, the Model 745 Deluxe Eight was top-of-the-line for the company; one of eleven models in the 745 Series, all using a huge 145-inch wheelbase and powered by Packard's silky-smooth 384.8 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder engine. At $4,885 before options, this was a very expensive car - a Model A Ford in 1930 was $500.

This 745 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton is one of the Seventh Series Packards launched in August of 1929, just a few months before the stock market crash. The 745 was the lowest production of the Packard lineup with only about 3,000 made. It features styling by Ray Dietrich with a low-slung profile and sleeker lines flowing from front to rear in the classic style of the time. Many mechanical updates were featured on the new Packards, including repositioned headlamps and a four-speed transmission. The 745 is powered by an L-head, 8-cylinder 384.8 cubic-inch engine producing 106 horsepower.

This very original car has one of the most desirable specifications of all the Seventh Series Packards. The exceedingly rare, original paintwork is surpassed only by the almost unheard-of original leather interior. It was originally delivered in May 1930 to Packard Montclair Co., Inc., in Montclair, New Jersey. It has been preserved in unrestored, original condition with 15,650 miles from new.

The car spent most of its life on the East Coast before going to a new owner in California in the 1980s. In 2018, the car was purchased by the current owner and a full preservation process has recently been completed to ensure the protection and future usability of this incredibly original Packard.