Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
20th September, 2023 10:00
1930 Packard 740 Super Eight Convertible
Subject to much recent restoration work
Estimate
£75, 000 - £85, 000
Registration No: BF 7813
Chassis No: 186695
MOT: Exempt
Rare to find in Europe - record dating back to 1944 in Ireland
Subject to recent restoration work including re-trimmed interior
Fully UK registered
In 1930, the Great Depression's grip on America and its automobile industry tightened into a stranglehold. Packard still stood at the top of the luxury market but its future like that of its competitors was tenuous. Response to the economy's torment was slow throughout the auto industry and the course that Alvan Macauley had set for Packard during the flush years of the late Twenties was pursued resolutely. Packard's Seventh Series came on the heels of its most successful year 1929. Unfortunately, the Great Depression set in quickly and impacted high end automobile brands immediately. With a shrinking market Packard was forced to innovate and continued to advance its product line with innovative models. The Super Eight series would evolve handsomely from the successful Sixth series. More elegant and better integrated lights, more attractive wheels and coachwork that was modern and superbly styled.
The early history of this eye-catching left-hand drive Packard is unknown, but the first record of it in Ireland dates from 1944, and it was last registered to a Michael O'Regan of Cork. By the time the previous owner acquired it in 1996, it had stood outside for a number of years and was in a very dilapidated state, so he sent it to France for a thorough restoration. The car was stripped and a replica of the original body (a `Waterhouse Convertible' by Tuscher of Switzerland) was manufactured. Indeed, some 90 percent of the task was reportedly completed when the project faltered due to the failing health of the restorer. Returned to the UK, the car was offered for sale with the car needing completion and further work and the vendor acquired this example in 2013. Immediately, he set about fitting all-new glass (as the original glass was missing) and painted the car in the splendid colour of Rubicelle Maroon that it presents in today. The interior was completely replaced with stunning new Tan leather seating and door panelling and new carpets were fitted to suit. The chromework (which is plentiful) was refinished and now appears excellently and a new hood frame and hood were constructed for the wetter adventures. Overall, the car is now very presentable and is ready to use and be admired. The vendor is known to drive his cars (and his adventures on the Peking to Paris rally are testament to this) so nothing less than reliable and presentable are to be expected. There are small areas of imperfection due to use and the restoration work being completed some years ago, but this does not detract from this fabulous symbol of all American glamour.
