Packard Eight
{{Infobox automobile
| image = File:1931 Packard 840 Dietrich Convertible Sedan.JPG
| caption = 1931 Packard Individual Custom Eight Type 840 Dietrich Convertible Sedan
| name = Packard Eight
| manufacturer=Packard
| production=1924–36
| engine={{convert|319.2|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} L-head inline eight
{{convert|357.8|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} L-head inline eight
{{convert|384.8|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} L-head inline eight
| transmission = 3-speed Manual transmission
| assembly=Packard Automotive Plant, Detroit, MI
| predecessor=Packard Six
| successor=Packard 120 (1935)
Packard 200 (1951)
| class=Luxury car
| body_style=•2-door roadster
•2-door coupé
•2-door convertible Victoria
•4-door sedan
•4-door phaeton
•4-door dual-cowl phaeton & Sport Phaeton
•town car
•landau
| layout=Front engine, rear drive
| related=Light Eight
120
}}
The Packard Eight was a luxury automobile produced by Packard between 1924 and 1936,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bHJPMRZ8BdAC&q=packard+eight+vs+packard+super+eight&pg=PA298|title = The Turnaround Experience: Real World Lessons in Revitalizing Corporations and Organizations|isbn = 9780983903543|last1 = Zimmerman|first1 = Frederick|date = 5 August 2011}} and was an all new platform that took the top market position from the earlier Packard Twin Six which was first introduced in 1916.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1938/1938%20Packard%20Ad-01.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 19 September 2013. When it was introduced, it was designated as the senior Packard. It remained so until the Super Eight and Custom Super Eight were introduced in the 1940s.
History
Packard's first eight-cylinder engine was introduced as the Single Eight with two wheelbases offered in {{convert|136|in|mm|abbr=on}} and {{convert|143|in|mm|abbr=on}}, while sharing a naming convention with the junior Single Six.{{cite book |last1=Kimes |first1=Beverly |title=Standard catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 |date=1996 |publisher=Krause publications |isbn=0-87341-478-0 |pages=1105–1141 |edition=third}}
Starting in 1928, new naming conventions were offered; the Standard Eight and the more opulent Custom Eight,[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1931/1931%20Packard%20Ad-02.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. the De Luxe Eight,[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1930/1930%20Packard%20Ad-05.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. was introduced in 1929 and in 1930 the Speedster was introduced, which was offered with a low-compression aluminum-head[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-01.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. L-head inline eight[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1935/1935%20Packard%20Ad-01.jpg Old Car Advertising] Retrieved 12 September 2013 producing {{convert|90|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}}[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1930/1930%20Packard%20Ad-08.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. (hence the name).[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-01.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. The same engine would be used in the 120, & remained in production until 1955. Packard ads bragged the engine "floated" on new rubber mounts.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-08.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. Power would be upgraded to {{convert|110|hp|kW|abbr=on}} in 1932[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-09.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. and {{convert|120|hp|kW|abbr=on}} in 1933.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1933/1933%20Packard%20Ad-01.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
Design
The Eight offered optional (no extra cost)[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-10.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. four-speed synchromesh transmission.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1931/1931%20Packard%20Ad-06.jpg Old Car Advertising]; [http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-01.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. Like other Packards of this era, it featured Ride Control, a system of dash-adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers. The Eight also featured automatic chassis lubrication[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1931/1931%20Packard%20Ad-06.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. and "shatterproof" glass.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1930/1930%20Packard%20Ad-03.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
The Eight was available on a variety of wheelbases: {{convert|127.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} and {{convert|134.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} for the 1930 Standard Eight, {{convert|140|in|mm|abbr=on}}[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1931/1931%20Packard%20Ad-10.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. and {{convert|145.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} for the 1930 De Luxe Eight,[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1930/1930%20Packard%20Ad-06.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. {{convert|130|in|mm|abbr=on}} and {{convert|137|in|mm|abbr=on}} for the 1932 Standard Eight. For 1938, the Eight's wheelbase was stretched {{convert|7|in|mm|abbr=on}} over 1937, and the body was also wider.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1938/1938%20Packard%20Ad-06.html Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
It was advertised as a two-door roadster, two-door convertible & two-door convertible Victoria (both new for 1932),[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-04.jpg Old Car Advertising]; [http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-03.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. phaeton,[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1930/1930%20Packard%20Ad-10.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. four-door dual-cowl phaeton & Sport Phaeton (a four-door four-seat dual-cowl phaeton new in 1932)[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-02.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. two-door coupé,[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1930/1930%20Packard%20Ad-11.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. four-door sedan, landau,[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1930/1930%20Packard%20Ad-02.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. town car,[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1930/1930%20Packard%20Ad-15.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. and limousine. The Packard eight utilized a very rare swivel accelerator pedal, patented by Pat Au back in the early 1900s.
In the market
Production of the De Luxe Eight was less than ten per day. It was available in eleven body styles.
In 1926, the Model 236 and 243 were introduced.{{cite web|url= https://proxy.europeana.eu/media/2021004/_oai_www_doria_fi_10024_87478/80fda4faa286f87c74162dc77132e6b3?disposition=inline&recordApiUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.europeana.eu%2Frecord |title= 236, 243|date=1926-01-01|publisher= Autola (1926) |access-date=2025-05-06}} In 1927, the Model 336 and 343 were introduced. Both with eight-cylinder engines with 6303 cc and 109 HP.{{cite web|url= https://proxy.europeana.eu/media/2021004/_oai_www_doria_fi_10024_87490/ad36a37d46aafbe6ba956363f3a4d559?disposition=inline&recordApiUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.europeana.eu%2Frecord |title= 336, 343|date=1927-01-01|publisher= Autola (1927) |access-date=2025-05-06}} In 1928, the 443 model was introduced.{{cite web|url= https://proxy.europeana.eu/media/2021004/_oai_www_doria_fi_10024_87503/9e12d9566e863b86f5e9ccd7bed7871e?disposition=inline&recordApiUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.europeana.eu%2Frecord |title= 443|date=1928-01-01|publisher= Autola (1928) |access-date=2025-05-06}}
In 1930, the Eight was factory priced between US$2425 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|2425|1930}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) and US$2885 for the Standard Eight, US$3190 to US$3885 for the Custom Eight, and US$4585 to US$5350 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5350|1930}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}). In 1932, prices ranged from US$2250 to US$3250 for the Standard Eight, while the De Luxe Eight started at US$3150 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3150|1930}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}).[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1932/1932%20Packard%20Ad-19.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
The Packard Speedster Eight Model 734 was a performance-oriented passenger car line by the Packard Motor Car Company offered for the 1930 model year (7th series) only. Based on a heavily modified Standard Eight (733) chassis, it got narrower and lower coachwork. The 734 straight eight engine is derived from the 740 Custom Eight's. It differs in valve and manifold revisions, a Detroit Lubricator dual updraft carburetor, a vacuum booster pump and a ribbed exhaust manifold. The engine delivers 145 HP (740: 106 HP) @3400 RPM without increase in bore or stroke, which remain at 3½ x 5 in. Retail prices started at US$5,200 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5200|1930}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) for the Boattail Speedster, Runabout Speedster and Phaeton Speedster, while the Victoria Speedster and Sedan Speedster went for US$6,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|6000|1930}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}). Speedster Eights have four instead of three speeds, and the customer could choose from several rear end ratios at no extra cost. 734 models have their parking lights mounted on the fenders, not on the body like Standard Eights. They also feature senior car's hoods with for ventilation door. Only 113 cars were built.
Available 734 Speedster Eight models include:
Body style #422 Boattail Roadster
Body style #443 Sedan
Body style #445 Phaeton
Body style #447 Victoria
Body style #452 Runabout
In 1931, Packard introduced the Individual Custom Eight, which were longer wheelbases of the Standard Eight. Period advertisements showed examples with body colored radiator grilles whereas the Standard models had chrome grilles.{{cite web|title=Packard 1931|url=http://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/PACKARD%201931.html|website=Classic Car Catalog|accessdate=23 October 2017}}
The 1932 Standard Eight was offered in thirteen body styles. In 1933, base price of the Standard Eight was US$2150, and was offered in fourteen body styles.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1933/1933%20Packard%20Ad-03.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. The 1933 De Luxe Eight started at US$3350.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1933/1933%20Packard%20Ad-06.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
The five-passenger sedan was Packard's best-selling model for years.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1931/1931%20Packard%20Ad-07.jpg Old Car Advertising] Retrieved 14 September 2013 This helped Packard become the best-selling luxury brand between 1924 and 1930,[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1931/1931%20Packard%20Ad-04.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013. as well as selling almost twice as many abroad as any other marque priced over US$2000.[http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Packard%20Ads/1931/1931%20Packard%20Ad-11.jpg Old Car Advertising]. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
Flickr_-_DVS1mn_-_27_Packard_by_Murphy_(2).jpg|1927 Packard Third Series Eight Model 343 Convertible Sedan by Murphy
1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Roadster in Black, front left.jpg|1930 Packard Seventh Series Deluxe Eight Roadster, Model 745
Packard De Luxe Eight 904 Sedan Limousine 1932.jpg|1932 Packard Ninth Series De Luxe Eight Model 904 sedan limousine
Packard 1101 Eight Convertible Sedan 1934.jpg|1934 Packard Eleventh Series Standard Eight Model 1101 convertible sedan
1930 Packard Eight Series 734 Speedster Roadster, Greenwich (front left).jpg|1930 Packard Seventh Series Roadster Speedster Model 734
File:Concours d'Elegance (20646864791).jpg|1930 Packard Seventh Series Boattail Speedster Model 734
Packard Eight (1946-1950)
When Packard reintroduced the Packard Eight, they also introduced the Packard Station Sedan to offer a popular "woodie" appearance starting in 1948 with the modified body style,{{cite book |last=Flory |first=J. "Kelly" Jr. |title=American Cars, 1946 to 1959; Every Model, Year by Year |year=2008 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |isbn=978-0-7864-3229-5}} then adopting a commonly called ponton appearance.
File:1946 Packard Clipper (32104790041).jpg|1946 Packard Clipper Eight
File:Packard Clipper Eight Deluxe Touring Sedan Model 2111 1947.JPG|1947 Packard DeLuxe Clipper Eight
File:Packard Eight Sedan 1948.jpg|1948 Packard Eight
File:Packard.jpg|1949 Packard Eight
File:1950 Packard Eight Club Sedan in Packard Maroon.jpg|1950 Packard Eight
References
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|Packard Eight}}
{{Packard}}
{{Packard historic timeline}}
Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles