1933 Packard 1002 Eight

Packard automobiles were built to the highest standards and were one of the finest American cars of the pre-war era. The Packard Eight, first introduced in 1924, was notable as the first Packard to use four-wheel brakes. The side-valve straight-eight engine displaced 5.9 liters and delivered 85 horsepower. Initially, the Model Eight was comprised of ten body styles on two wheelbase lengths. By 1927, the engine was enlarged to 6.3 liters and a smaller 5.2-liter Standard Eight was introduced for 1929, with the larger engine installed in the Custom and Deluxe Eights. In 1933, the DeLuxe Eight became the 'Super Eight' and by this point in history, all Packards were using a synchromesh transmission.

Packard produced nearly 50,000 vehicles in 1928 which helped earn it nearly $22 million, providing strong financial footing as it approached the stock market crash and the Great Depression era. By 1932, sales had fallen over sixty percent to 16,613 units, and Packard lost approximately $6 million. Despite the decline, Packard still enjoyed almost forty percent of the market for cars selling in excess of $2,000, and its sales were greater than Cadillac, LaSalle, Lincoln, and Duesenberg combined.

While Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler survived the Depression on the strength of Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth, Packard was alone in its struggle. To survive, Packard moved into a lower price bracket which generated the necessary funds to weather the lean years. By 1935, the company had introduced its One Twenty, named after its wheelbase and horsepower. With prices that ranged from $990 to $1100, the vehicles were tremendously popular and Packard received cash orders of approximately $10 million before the car was ever built. Actual sales increased to 52,045 units, shattering the sales record of 1928.

A six-cylinder model soon followed, quickly becoming Packard's best-selling model. While the One Twenty and the Six were successful at generating sales, many argue that they negatively affected the company's image and set it on a path of mediocrity. Cadillac had avoided a tarnished name by creating the LaSalle, then discarding it after it had fulfilled its purpose. Regardless, Packard would not have survived the Depression had it not been for the success of the lower-priced models.

By 1941, Cadillac had surpassed Packard in the luxury car segment and by the close of World War II, the company's image problems continued with less acceptable design features, and further driving away from the success it enjoyed in the pre-war era.

The 1933 Packard
The 1933 Packards were known as the Tenth Series and models included the Eight (previously known as the Standard Eight), the Super Eight, and the Twelve. The Eight rested on two wheelbase lengths with the Series 1001 using a 127.5-inch platform and the Series 1002 measuring 136 inches. Both were powered by a 319.2 cubic-inch straight-eight engine with nine main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Stromberg carburetor, and delivering 120 horsepower at 3,200 RPM.

The Super Eight, previously called the DeLuxe Eight, used a 135-inch wheelbase for the Series 1003 and a 142-inch platform for the 1004. The 384.8 CID straight-8 delivered 145 horsepower. The most Senior Packard model was the Twelve with a 142-inch wheelbase for the 1005 and a 147-inch platform for the 1006. Its engine was a twelve-cylinder unit with a 445.5 cubic-inch displacement and delivered 160 horsepower.

All 1933 Packard engines were backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a single dry plate clutch and floor shift controls. Stopping power was provided by mechanical brakes on all four wheels.

1933 Packard Eight
The engine powering the 1932 Standard Eight displaced 319.2 cubic-inch and delivered 110 horsepower. Through the use of a dual downdraft carburetor, smaller flywheel, automatic choke, and revised manifold, the 1933 Packard Eight's horsepower to over 120. Wire wheels were now standard with discs and wood wheels becoming optional. There were seventeen different body styles available, all of which were effectively marketed to the American public who responded by spending nearly $20,000,000 on new 1933 Packards and, though not phenomenal, it was impressive that Packard was able to claim a profit (approximately $500,000) during such trying economic times. This was also the lowest production year for Packard since 1916.

Prices on the 1933 Packard Eight ranged from $2,150 to $3,095. The total Packard production for 1933 was 4,800 units, including 1,099 of the Series 1002.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2010