1930 Packard Series 734 Eight Speedster Roadster

A memo distributed by Packard executives in early 1929 described an exciting new, high-speed model to be built in limited numbers and offered by special order only. The brainchild of Col. Jesse G. Vincent, Packard's vice president of engineering, and intended for the upcoming Seventh-Series lineup, this sporting model had a 134.5-inch wheelbase, finned brake drums, a high-speed rear end (3.31:1), 19-inch wheels, and a Deluxe Eight 385 cubic-inch straight eight-cylinder engine. This powerplant received a dual-throat Detroit Lubricator carburetor, hemispherical combustion chambers, special manifolds, a high-compression cylinder head, and a cutout-equipped exhaust system.

Boasting unrivaled performance figures, the 734 Speedster could reach 60 mph in second gear and had a top speed in excess of 110 mph. Impressive accomplishments are made even more impressive by its status as a well-appointed luxury car. Since it was never advertised and commanded price tags in excess of $5,000, the 734 Speedster was a very exclusive automobile. Body styles included a phaeton, two-door Victoria, sedan, 2/4-place runabout roadster, and a boattail runabout. The bodies were built in Packard's in-house custom coachworks, where custom bodies were built six inches narrower, six inches lower, and the cowl was moved rearward by six inches than standard bodies.

A total of 113 examples of the 734 were built, and 39 of those received the runabout boattail body.

This particular runabout boattail was acquired by Nelson W. Brinckerhoff when he was 21 years old and had it shipped to his home in Switzerland. Around 1932, Mr. Brinckerhoff sold the 734 to (most likely) Nat Weiss. It is believed that the car was in Europe at the time. The Packard was shipped back to the United States and remained in Mr. Weiss's care for over 15 years.

In 1951, the Speedster was sold to Kermit Chandigian, and two months later, was purchased by George Jepson. A substantial restoration soon commenced, and upon completion, showed it at the very first CCCA Grand Classic, where the car earned Senior award badge no. 5. The Packard was also used in numerous CCCA CARavans, and during their 22-year stewardship, they added around 50,000 miles to the odometer.

In late 1973, Mr. Jepson sold the Packard to Donald R. Peterson of Atlanta, Georgia (Mr. Peterson had to part with a Bugatti, a Delahaye, and an early Rolls-Royce to complete the deal). Mr. Paterson used the Packard on numerous CARavans, Glidden Tours, and even the Colorado Grand in 2004. In 1995, the Petersons drove the Packard on a 29-day excursion, traveling 9,638 miles on a lap around the country with the CCCA.

Before the car was brought to Gooding & Company's auction in Pebble Beach, CA. in 2024, the Packard was given a light restoration, including the installation of a correct pair of Packard-Lyon metal side-mount covers.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2024