1927 Packard 433 Six

Packard vehicles built from 1916 through 1920 were solely powered by twelve-cylinder engines. The Packard Twin Six was joined by the Single Six in 1921, and both were offered through 1923. The Twelve was dropped after 1923 and the Single Eight joined the Single Six in 1924. This arrangement of six- and eight-cylinder models would carry Packard through 1928, and for 1929, the company focused solely on eight-cylinder power, before adding another twelve-cylinder model to the lineup in 1932 (1932 through 1939), and an affordable six-cylinder model returned in 1937.

Packard models for 1928 included the Third Series Eight and the Fourth Series Six. The Series Six included the 426 resting on a 126-inch wheelbase and the 433 on a 133-inch platform. Both were equipped with an L-head straight-six with a 288.6 cubic-inch displacement, seven main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, a Packard updraft carburetor, and delivering 81 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Bodystyles included runabouts, sedans, phaetons, coupes, club sedans, and a seven-passenger sedan limousine. prices ranged from mid-to-high $2,000 range.

The Packard Eight also came in two wheelbase sizes, with the Series 336 on a 136-inch wheelbase and the Series 343 on a larger 143-inch platform. Both used an L-head straight-eight with a 384.8 cubic-inch displacement, nine main bearings, a Packard updraft carburetor, mechanical valve lifters, and delivering 109 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Prices ranged from $3,750 to $5,100 depending on the coachwork.

Both the six- and eight-cylinder engines were backed by a selective three-speed transmission with a two-plate clutch, and mechanical brakes on all wheels providing the stopping power. The two-plate clutch and hypoid differential were new features for 1927. Both gained aluminum pistons for 1927, a larger 3.5-inch bore for the eight-cylinder engine only, revised manifolding, and turbohead combustion chamber. The Fuelizer was no longer offered, and the Skinner Oil Rectifier was discontinued larger in the model run.

Packard produced 1,245 examples of the eight-cylinder, Third Series 336, and 3,241 of the Series 343. The six-cylinder models proved more popular than the eights, with 14,401 of the 426 and 10,934 of the 433.

Body styles on the six-cylinder Packard Six 433 included coupe priced at $2,685, a club sedan at $2,725, a sedan and touring at $2,785, and a sedan limousine with seating for seven at $2,885.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2021