1927 Packard 336 Eight

The 1927 Packard model lineup included both six- and eight-cylinder models. The six-cylinder powered Series 426 and Series 433 rested on a 126- and 133-inch wheelbase with prices that ranged from $2,585 to $2,890. The 288.6 cubic-inch inline-six had seven main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, a Packard updraft carburetor, and 81 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. It was without the Fuelizer this year, and a Skinner Oil Rectifier was added later in the year. The three-speed selective transmission used a two-plate clutch and hypoid differential.

The range-topping Third Series Packard Eight consisted of the 336 and the 343, with the 336 resting on a 136-inch wheelbase and the 343 on a 143-inch platform. (The first '3' represented the Third Series and the last two numbers (i.e. 36 and 43) represented the wheelbase size. Both were powered by an eight-cylinder engine that featured aluminum pistons and turbohead combustion chambers. It retained the Lanchester vibration damper on the front end of the crankshaft and the four-point mounting of the engine. It had revised manifolding with an enlarged bore, now measuring 3.5 inches. Horsepower was rated at 109 from the 384.8 cubic-inch powerplant. Watson stabilizers were installed at the front and rear. The body styles available on the 336 included a Phaeton, Runabout, and Sedan. The phaeton was priced at $3,750, the runabout at $3,850, and the five-passenger sedan at $4,750.

The Six and Eight cylinder models wore similar bodies but the interior trim and upholstery were more luxurious on the Eight and appointments were more elegant.

Packard produced 1,245 examples of the 336 and 3,241 of the 343. Within the six-cylinder line, 14,401 were the Series 426 and 10,934 were the Series 433.

Packard vehicles from 1916 were exclusively powered by twelve-cylinder engines. A six-cylinder engine joined the lineup in 1921, and the twelve was dropped in 1923. Four-wheel brakes and a 357.8 CID inline-8 joined the lineup in 1924. Six and Eight cylinder Packards were offered through 1928, and for 1929 only the eight-cylinder engine remained.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2009