1930 Packard 734 Boattail Speedster Runabout
The Packard 7-34 Speedster Eight was one of the first cars produced using the muscle car recipe, long before the term was born: a lightweight body mounted to the company’s shortest chassis and fitted with a modified version of its biggest engine. In 1930, five body styles were offered with a price of $5,000. The 385cid straight-eight was fitted with a high-compression head, high-lift camshaft, larger exhaust ports, finned exhaust manifold, a unique Detroit Lubricator dual-throat carburetor, and an added camshaft-driven vacuum pump to help deliver fuel at high speeds. In addition, it was equipped with finned brake drums for better cooling, an exhaust cut-out incorporated within the muffler, and a 3.31:1 final gear ratio that was unique to the Speedster Eight line (even the differential housing was unique in order to contain the tall gears). Horsepower of the Deluxe Eight powerplant was bumped from 106hp to 145, giving the car an honest 115mph capability.
The Speedster is thought to have been developed to race at Le Mans, but those plans were dumped. It was also engineered to be the most powerful production car when introduced, but the Cadillac V-16 stole its thunder. With management more interested in building luxury cars, the Speedster disappeared without fanfare, was not advertised, and most Packard dealers were unaware of its existence! It is estimated that only around 39 boattails were built, with just six completely authentic examples known to exist. This car retains body #25 and was originally purchased by 21-year-old Nelson Brinckerhoff of Englewood, New Jersey. The car has been driven extensively by three of its five owners (22 Classic CARavans!) (including spending several years in southern Europe and North Africa), and total mileage is estimated to be more than 300,000 miles. During one cross-country trip in 1995, the current owner Don Peterson drove it just under 10,000 miles in 29 days, touching tires to 48 U.S. states! This Packard is a Senior winner number 5 and has also been awarded Premiere status. This Packard has been shown at Meadowbrook, Amelia Island, Pebble Beach, Saint Johns, Hilton Head, and Hershey.
The Speedster is thought to have been developed to race at Le Mans, but those plans were dumped. It was also engineered to be the most powerful production car when introduced, but the Cadillac V-16 stole its thunder. With management more interested in building luxury cars, the Speedster disappeared without fanfare, was not advertised, and most Packard dealers were unaware of its existence! It is estimated that only around 39 boattails were built, with just six completely authentic examples known to exist. This car retains body #25 and was originally purchased by 21-year-old Nelson Brinckerhoff of Englewood, New Jersey. The car has been driven extensively by three of its five owners (22 Classic CARavans!) (including spending several years in southern Europe and North Africa), and total mileage is estimated to be more than 300,000 miles. During one cross-country trip in 1995, the current owner Don Peterson drove it just under 10,000 miles in 29 days, touching tires to 48 U.S. states! This Packard is a Senior winner number 5 and has also been awarded Premiere status. This Packard has been shown at Meadowbrook, Amelia Island, Pebble Beach, Saint Johns, Hilton Head, and Hershey.