1926 Packard Standard Eight Model 236 Roadster

357.8ci L-Head Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
85bhp at 3,000rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Fully restored in the 1980s, still presents wonderfully
*CCCA Full Classic®
*Spare engine and transmission included
*Rare and sporty example of a 'Roaring Twenties' vehicle

THE PACKARD EIGHT

Always built to the highest standards, the Packard was unquestionably one of the finest American automobiles of the pre-war era. Right from the moment the first car emerged in November 1899, Packard's innovative engineering and superior build quality attracted the attention of wealthy clients. Indeed, throughout the 1910s and 1920s, Packard ranked alongside Peerless and Pierce-Arrow, this elite trio of the US automobile industry being known as the 'Three P's'. Dissatisfaction with his Winton motor carriage is said to have spurred James Ward Packard to build a superior automobile. Aided by his brother and two defectors from the Winton company, Packard set up shop in his electrical engineering factory in Warren, Ohio, from which the first Packard car emerged in November 1899. The Ohio Automobile Company's Model A runabout was powered by a 142.6ci, 9hp, single-cylinder engine equipped with a mechanical exhaust and atmospheric inlet valve in the fashion of the time. The Packard's innovative engineering and superior build quality were soon attracting the attention of wealthy clients, William D Rockefeller purchasing two at the New York Automobile Show in November 1900. 'Ask The Man Who Owns One' was adopted as the company's advertising slogan.
Introduced in 1924, Packard's first eight-cylinder car - the Single Eight - was also the company's first to employ four-wheel brakes. The nine-bearing sidevalve straight-eight engine had a compression ratio of 4.51 to 1 and developed 85bhp at 3,000rpm from 5.9 liters. Even with the average model weighing in at about 4,000 pounds, the engine was able to propel the cars to speeds as high as 80mph.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

As the recipient of a full restoration in the 1980s, this Model 236 Sport Roadster still presents in wonderful condition. In its present ownership for over 16 years, the car has been stored in a temperature-controlled environment while being maintained by an onsite mechanic on a normal basis. With a 136- inch wheelbase mated to a sporty roadster body, the combination makes for an incredible driver with a sleek and smooth appeal considering no spares are located on the side of the body. You can find them affixed to the rear of the car on a mounting plate which features a key lock. Other notable factory accessories included on the car are a radiator stone guard, cowl lights, drum headlights, additional center headlight mounted to steering, mechanical brakes with disc wheels, step plates on running boards, golf bag compartment and rumble seat.

Finished in a beautiful two-tone red over dark red paint job with match painted red disc wheels, the car emits a classy presence with its excellent color choice and lustrous paint. The Lester whitewall tires appear to be in excellent shape giving the car a very period correct look. The interior has been adorned in saddle colored leather which compliments the red paint nicely. The wood and glass are also in fine condition rounding out the vehicle's overall excellent shape. The tan colored canvas top is also in great condition and includes a cover for when the top is down. The maintained engine bay and undercarriage are also in tidy shape. Mechanically, the car runs well and is prepared for enjoyment on scenic drives. The car will include the canvas top cover as well as side curtains for the doors. As an excellent addition, this vehicle comes with a full rebuildable spare 1926 engine core and transmission.

One of the sportiest roadsters built by Packard, this 236 roadster was marketed for the active enthusiast considering it has a built in golf bag compartment. Still to this day, the car employs a sleek flowing look when compared to its competitors of the same era. Being one of the more expensive cars of its time, the Packard Standard Eight 236 Roadster is a rare car today with not many openly found in existence. This is surely a wonderful opportunity to own one of the smoothest driving and sportiest looking roadsters from the 'Roaring Twenties.'