Inventory Listing

Older restoration in excellent condition. Functioning overdrive, new top insert, new trunk, Trippe lights. Fantastic Full Classic tour car that can be shown with pride.

Refinished in the original paint scheme of Black over Highland Green with Peewee Green pin striping, it’s an elegant, formal-looking car that is ideally complimented by recently installed black wall tires. The paint is single-stage lacquer and the finish is still excellent on the body, though the front fenders are just now starting to show their age. The doors open and close precisely and latch securely with no rattles and the top insert is brand new, so it seals up as well as any car of the era. Chrome and other bright work on the car is a combination of original items and pieces that were undoubtedly restored with the rest of the car. The famous “lady with donut” hood ornament is in good condition, and I’m not sure restoring it again would improve its appearance. Aftermarket taillights and side-view mirrors have been added in the name of touring safely, and a turn signal system has been incorporated into the cowl lights. Of note, the most recent owner added Trippe lights up front and a trunk out back, both of which give the car a more substantial and upscale look and are excellent additions to a big Classic like this. 

The tan wool broadcloth interior is correctly finished and still holding up well after nearly three decades. The upholstery fabric is excellent, and even the driver’s seat shows very little wear. The brightwork is in good shape, and the gauges appear to all be functional except the fuel gauge and clock, although a fuel gauge repair kit is included with the sale of the car and should be an easy Saturday afternoon project. The wood on the dash is in excellent shape, although the window garnish moldings are getting a little dry—easily remedied with some linseed oil. The aluminum floor boards up front are in excellent condition, and the hard rubber steering wheel feels great in your hands. 

Powering all 633 models in 1929 was Packard’s 320 cubic inch straight-8 producing 90 horsepower. This big sedan’s engine was likely rebuilt when the car was restored, and today runs beautifully using the original 6-volt electrics and vacuum tank fuel system. Cosmetically, the engine is functional and clean, not detailed for show, but it would not take much work to elevate it to the next level if that’s your desire. It still uses the correct Packard carburetor and vacuum tank, and I should point out that the crude homemade heat shield around the vacuum tank has been removed since these photos were taken and the engine bay has been cleaned up quite a bit. The engine shows signs of recent servicing including new spark plugs, wires, and recent valve work as evidenced by the new acorn nuts on top of the head. The engine fires up quickly, idles beautifully, and drives wonderfully, with big Packard torque available at very low speeds.

The transmission is, of course, a 3-speed manual, although Packard had not yet incorporated synchromesh into their transmissions in 1929, necessitating double-clutching. Enhancing the driving experience is a Borg-Warner overdrive unit installed several years ago by overdrive expert Lloyd Young of Columbus, Ohio and permits 55-60 MPH cruising speeds. The system is easy to use and one of the best additions you can make to an old car with 4.69 gears in back. This car also wears a set of new 6.50-20 Denman blackwalls on the original disc wheels. 

A truly wonderful car that is best appreciated from behind the wheel.