1933 Packard 1001 Eight

The early 1930s were the most difficult years of the Great Depression and many of America's carmakers suffered, with some ending production forever. The luxury market struggled the most, and various strategies were adopted for survival. Companies such as Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler were insulated from the worst effects as being part of larger corporations. Packard took an individual path, with the production of its Super Eight long-wheelbase cars and the stately V12 models continuing, but depending to a very large extent on sales of their more numerous 'Junior' series. The 'Junior' Packards were built to the same superb engineering standards as their larger siblings, had similar styling, and offered remarkable value.

As America inaugurated a new president in March of 1933, one of the cars used in the inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Avenue was a Packard, reinforcing its position as the nation's leading luxury car. A few months earlier, in January, Packard had introduced its new Tenth Series that featured the 'standard' Eight as a successor to the Light Eight of the previous year. It targeted the mid-priced market, yet it still remained expensive and exclusive, especially during the Great Depression. Under the hood was an L-head inline eight-cylinder engine with a 320 cubic-inch displacement, nine main bearings, a dual downdraft carburetor, a smaller flywheel, an automatic choke, and a revised manifold, helping to deliver 120 horsepower (up from 111 horsepower the previous year). Wire wheels now became standard with discs and wood wheels becoming optional.

The new Tenth Series Packard Eight used a new X-braced frame and driver-adjustable power brakes. Styling was also updated, with new skirted fenders, and a V-shaped radiator shell borrowed from the 1932 Twin Six. The Tenth and Eleventh Series Packards are the last of the classic era, and the last to wear the classic swept fender lines, before the advent of the streamlined look. The front fascia includes a graceful vee-shaped radiator, matching headlights, and fender lights. The interior featured a new aircraft-inspired dash and upgraded burled trim.

The Tenth Series Packard line included the Eight divided into the 1001 and 1002, with the former resting on a 127.5-inch wheelbase while the 1002 had a 136-inch platform. Prices ranged from $2,150 to just over $3,000. Body styles included a sedan, coupe sedan, coupe, coupe roadster, sport phaeton, club sedan, convertible sedan, tourer, convertible victoria, sedan limousine, and a Formal Sedan. Above the Eight was the Super Eight, again divided into two models, the 1003 and 1004. The 1003 had a 135-inch wheelbase while the 1004 had a 142-inch platform.

The Super Eight was powered by a 384.8 cubic-inch straight-eight engine delivering 145 horsepower. Prices ranged from $2,750 to $3,600. The Packard Twelve was the most senior model in the lineup, divided into the 1005 and 1006, and powered by a 445.5 cubic-inch twelve-cylinder engine delivering 160 horsepower. The 1005 Series rested on a 142-inch wheelbase and the 1006 on a 147-inch wheelbase.

All 1933 Packards were equipped with a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a single dry plate clutch and floor shift controls. Mechanical braking was on all four wheels.

Packard built 520 examples of its Tenth Series Twelve, 1,300 of its Super Eight (512 of the 1003 and 788 of the 1004), and 2,980 of the Eight (1,881 of the 1001 and 1,099 of the 1002).

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008