1929 Packard 633 Eight

1929 was a big year for Packard, as all of their vehicles were now fitted with straight-eight engines. The Standard Eight replaced the Six, though it kept its two chassis lengths with a slight, half-inch increase. The Model 626 rode on a 126.5-inch wheelbase while the 633 was given a 133.5-inch platform. Mounted under the bonnet was a 319.2 cubic-inch engine that produced 90 horsepower. It had nine main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Packard updraft carburetor, and a vibration damper. There was a three-speed selective transmission with a single plate clutch, shaft drive, hypoid differential, and a central chassis-lubrication system. Stopping power was by four-wheel mechanical brakes and the suspension consisted of a solid front and live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

Packard unveiled its new models in 1929 at New York's Roosevelt Hotel. Packard's engineering refinement was showcased by the elimination of the Boyce MotoMeter, a temperature gauge on the top of the radiator cap, and replaced by a more refined temperature gauge on the dashboard.

The Custom Eight 640 and the Deluxe Eight 645 models occupied the top of the Packard line for 1929, with wheelbase sizes of 140.5- and 145.5 inches respectively. Powering the 640 and 645 was a 384.8 CID straight-8 with nine main bearings, a Packard carburetor, and 105 horsepower. The 626 Speedster was a unique sort-of muscle car, equipped with a big engine in a small eight chassis. The 384.4 cubic-inch engine received a high-lift camshaft, high compression head, high-speed vacuum pump, metric plus, and additional mechanical enhancements, bringing horsepower to 130 bhp and making the 126-inch vehicle a true 100 mph top-speed performer.

The Model 626 was available in Five-Passenger Sedan, Two/Four-Passenger Coupe, and Convertible Coupe body styles, while the larger Model 633 line comprised the Five-Passenger Phaeton, Two/Four-Passenger Runabout, Seven-Passenger Sedan, Seven-Passenger Sedan-Limousine, Five-Passenger Club Sedan, and Five-Passenger Coupe.

The Model 626 sedan was priced at $2,285, the coupe at $2,350, and the convertible coupe at $2,430.

The Model 633, resting on the larger platform, was priced at $2,685 for the club sedan and seven-passenger sedan, $2,385 for the runabout and Phaeton, $2,485 for the seven-passenger touring, and $2,785 for the seven-passenger sedan limousine.

The Packard Speedster (626) was priced in the low-$5000s, and the Senior Packard prices ranged from $3,175 to $6,000.

Closed-bodied cars had roll-up side windows, a crank-out windshield, a well-appointed interior, and adjustable steel sun visor. Disc wheels were standard and brightwork was now chrome-plated, replacing the previous nickel-plated items. Among the list of optional equipment included dual side-mount spare tires, side-mount covers, wire or wood-spoke wheels, a driver's side spotlight, body-color disc wheels, and a rear luggage rack and trunk.

The interiors were elegant and well-appointed with cloth upholstery, wooden door cappings, window cranks, wood grain dash, and a clock. Passenger compartments were often equipped with a footrest, wooden vanity compartment, roll-down privacy blinds, a garment bag, and side pockets.

The Packard 626 was the most popular model with 26,070 examples built, followed by 17,060 of the Packard 633, 9,801 of the Packard 620, and 2,061 of the Packard 645. Approximately 70 examples of the Speedster were supposedly built, but in modern times, only three are known to have survived. Packard's combined 1929 production total, including the 70 Speedsters, was 55,062 units, a solid increase from the 49,550 units produced the previous year.

Packard did not follow the typical model year schedule and often made changes annually on their own timeline, usually in the summer. This gave Packard the advantage of having a period of time without competition from other marques' new models.

Packard's Sixth Series of 1929 was the company's most successful year-to-date up until the great depression. Its success was attributed to its diverse lineup, quality craftsmanship, solid reputation, and iconic styling.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019