1934 Packard Eight Model 1101 Convertible Sedan

320ci L-Head Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Stromberg Dual-Throat Carburetor
120bhp at 3,200rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Offered from the Paul Bush Collection
*Desirable 11th-series Packard from the height of the company's production
*Lovely three-tome Burgundy and Maroon livery
*Desirable open top Packard from one of the best Packard production years


THE 1934 PACKARD

Charles Dickens may have written "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" about the beginning of French Revolution but it applied just as well to Packard in 1934. The cars were wonderful, offered in a profusion of models, body styles and optional accessories, but the Great Depression was at its deepest and even Packard's elite clientele was not buying. It was cold comfort when Packard finished the year with 42.7% of the luxury car market. Cadillac and Lincoln were even worse off. Marmon and Peerless had called it quits in 1933. Pierce-Arrow was well on its way to going out of business.

In addition to the inherent quality, luxury, performance and silence for which Packard was justly famous, the marque's design and styling combined conservative elegance with a hint of sporting flair. Raymond Dietrich had laid down the basic lines of Packard's cataloged and custom bodies while working for Murray Corporation subsidiary Dietrich, Inc. in the late 1920s. Ray Dietrich's concepts were embraced by Ed Macauley, who was appointed Packard's styling director in 1932 by his father – and Packard's President -- Alvan Macauley.
While the few remaining independent coachbuilders continued to body Packard chassis, the economy and Packard's extensive catalog of finely-styled designs kept most Packard coachwork production in their own in-house facilities. That was, as it turns out, a serendipitous consequence as the Packard coachwork of the early 1930s, and particularly 1934, is among the best of the period.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This example of Packard's 11th series production model was completed at the Detroit, Michigan-based Packard factory during December of 1933. Purchased by Mr. Paul Bush from a Branson, Missouri-based collector out of Hemmings ad - after a dire negotiation process - Mr. Bush drove the Eight-cylinder Convertible Sedan Packard home to Lubbock, Texas. His friend Danny Watson later restored the car while installing another engine. Featuring 5-Passenger Convertible Sedan body style number 723, the Packard is finished in three-tone Burgundy and Marron exterior color with matching interior. Showing its age since the restoration was performed yet still very presentable, the Packard sports the classic 'Goddess of Speed' hood ornament and dual side-mounted spare wheels.