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Packard 236 Second Series 8

Packard Eight
Packard Eight Series
Packard Eight

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Packard Eight

Packard 1705 Super Eight
Packard 1703 Super Eight
Packard 1604 Super Eight
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Packard 1101 Eight
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Packard Model 1404 Super Eight
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Packard Model 900 Light Eight

Packard Model 902 Eight
Packard Model 903 Deluxe Eight
Packard Model 904
Packard Model 833 Standard Eight
Packard Series 726 Standard Eight
In 1932 the Packard Standard eight engine was updated with a redesigned manifold and fan. The compression ratio was increased to 6.0:1 and now produced 100 horsepower. A redesigned air cleanser improved both noise and vibration, and the fitting of new rubber engine mounts was accomplished by the driveshaft being jointed and rubber mounted. Both the components and the lengthened chassis were redesigned.

Created out of economic necessity, the Packard Light Eight was introduced in early 1932 and was the first newly designed Packard since 1923. It was also the first medium-priced Packard that was intended to sell in higher volume to help consumers in the luxury market ride out the Depression. Built with the same meticulous care as any Packard, the Light Eight sold for $500-$850 less than the Standard Eight.

Unfortunately though, despite its 'Light' name, the Light Eight used the same 320-cubic-inch engine that was in the Standard Eight, though it rode the shortest wheelbase, 127.5 inches. The Light Eight was sold in coupe roadster and sedan, four-door sedan, and rumble seat coupe.

All new Packard models for the 1949 model year featured a 'flow through fender'. The Packard station wagon was considered by many to be one of the most stylish wagons of the time period. For 1949 the Packard Standard Eight featured a fold-down rear seat that made the vehicle quickly transform the station wagon from a functional utility vehicle into a passenger car.

The Packard Straight Eight was equipped with a three-speed manual transmission and was capable of producing 135 horsepower. Both the driver and the passengers enjoyed the bump-free smooth ride in the Standard Eight.

Between 1948 and 1950 only 3,865 Packard Station Sedans were ever produced. Today this vehicle is an extremely collectible piece of the Packard Motor Car Company legacy.

The 1950 Packard Standard Eight featured avante-garde styling along with strong, sturdy vertical wooden slats on the doors. The 'woodie wagon' was formed by taking a six-passenger sedan from the assembly line, then changing the roofline and trunk lid. Briggs Manufacturing Company transformed the once sedan into a complete station wagon. The Packard Standard Eight featured 288 cubic inch straight eight.

By Jessica Donaldson

Packard 645 Deluxe Eight
Packard 633 Eight
Packard 626 Eight
Packard 640 Custom Eight
Packard Model 443 Eight
Packard was founded by two brothers, James Ward and William Dowd Packard in the city of Warren Ohio. They strongly believed that they could build a better automobile than the current models on display. They also had ideas on how to improve the designs of current automobiles. By 1899, both brothers were building and designing vehicles in their native Warren, Ohio. The company was originally called the Ohio Automobile Company and quickly began introducing various innovations in its designs that included the modern steering wheel, and the first production 12-cylinder engine.

While Henry Ford was producing vehicles that sold for $440, the Packard's instead concentrated on more upscale cars that started at $2,600. Their automobile developed a following and reputation not only in the U.S. but also abroad. The Packard's built vehicles that were consistently considered the elite in luxury automobiles. The company was commonly referred to as being one of the three 'P's' of American Motor Royalty; along with Pierce-Arrow of Buffalo, NY, Peerless of Cleveland, Ohio. On October 2, 1902, the Ohio Automobile Company became Packard Motor Car Company. The automobile operation soon moved to Detroit. Production was quickly placed ahead of General Motors Cadillac automobiles.

By 1925, Packard was considered the indisputable leader in the field of prestige automobiles. The exclusive Senior Eights were the Packard models that signified a prestige that went back to 1923. It was these models that were so successful through 1929 that the profit that they generated was almost enough to weather the Great Depression, and later finance the development of the 1935 One Twenty.

It was the Junior automobiles that supported the Seniors to World War II and beyond.
The Eight was the premier model, with only one notch below belonging to the much sought-after Six, between 1923 and 1928. The lines were once again upgraded in 1928.
With a muscular, yet silky 385 CID power plant, a new Custom Deluxe Eight was added at the top. At the same time, the Six was replaced by the Standard Eight and was named so like the Custom Deluxe through 1932. As the most inexpensive model in the line, the Standard still came with the same quality, and assurance of excellence as the other models in the line, it just happened to be sold at the cost of $4,100, and the equivalent of 10 Model A Fords.

Introduced on August 1, 1928, the Packard Model 645 also fell under the designation of the Custom Eight line, or the Deluxe Eight series on September 8, 1928. Around 2,061 units of the Packard 645 were produced, and were easily identified by the Round-Back Headlamps that replaced the earlier drum-type. These models also came with a larger eight-cylinder engine and a temperature gauge on the dash. The horsepower was at an increased 109, with the addition of the bore, L-head, in-line eight, and cast en bloc. Mechanical brakes were placed on all wheels, and the 645 came with 3-speed transmission.

The coachwork was done by Dietrich, and the design is consistently considered both desirable and beautiful. Offered in an astounding 21 body styles, the 8-cylinder was designated the 645 for 1929.

In one model year, an amazing 43,130 Standards were sold, plus another 11,930 Custom/Deluxe and Speedster models. High demands and waiting lists began the 1929 model year, but unfortunately due to the economic crisis, the sales tailed off to approximately 35,000 units for the year. The depression of the 1930's hurt Packard, and by 1934 their production dropped from more than 50,000 in 1928 to below 7,000 units per year. As the depth of the Depression intensified, there was a curious delayed reaction for Packard, as they still managed to sell approximately 18,000 units as late as 1931. For 1933-34, the Standard Eight became the Eight, and the Custom/Deluxe series became the Super Eight. Meanwhile, fine car sales along with the rest of the Industry continued to plunge, reaching the horrifying bottom of 7,040 units in 1934.

By Jessica Donaldson

Packard Eight
Packard Model 236

Model Production *

* Please note, dates are approximate

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