1930 Packard Series 740 Custom Eight Sport Phaeton

The Packard 740 Custom Eight and the 745 Deluxe Eight were powered by a 384.8 cubic-inch engine that produced 106 horsepower. The 740 rode on a wheelbase that measured 140.5 inches while the 745 rested on a 145.5-inch platform. New for this year was the four-speed transmission and a 4.69 rear axle ratio. Dual-mounted spare tires were standard on the 745 while it was an option on the 740.

Coachbuilders were given the opportunity to clothe the 740 and 745, including LeBaron, Brewster, Rollston, and Dietrich. There were eleven body styles for the 740 and eleven for the 745. Thus, the Seventh Series Packards were more than capable to satisfy a wide variety of customers' needs.

This Packard 740 Custom Eight Sport Phaeton is finished in two shades of deep red and has a low-slung tan top. The interior is tan leather and there is a wood-grain dash. There are many accessories such as driving lights, a radiator stone guard, wind wings, fully enclosed dual side-mounted spares with mirrors, a rear luggage rack and chromed wheels mounted with tall white-wall tires. The Adonis mascot can be found on the hood, a very desirable ornament and one of the most desirable to adorn the Packards.

It is believed that the car was given a restoration in 1978. It was purchased by its current owner in 2006 from the Sterling McCall Old Car Museum. It has an Antique Automobile Club of America badge from 1979.

In 2009, this 740 Custom Eight Sport Phaeton was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The car was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $300,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $192,500 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009