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Details
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Class Winning
1931 PACKARD 840 DELUXE EIGHT CONVERTIBLE VICTORIA
COACHWORK BY WATERHOUSE
Car No. 840-173
Chassis No. 188992
Engine No. 189054
Black with burgundy leather interior and black cloth top
Engine: L-head, eight cylinder, in-line, single updraft carburetor, 385ci, 120bhp; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: live axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel mechanical drum. Left hand drive.
In 1930 Packard was the prestige marque in America. Justly renowned for the smooth power of its eight cylinder engines, the stately ride of its quality chassis and the uniform excellence of its materials and manufacture, owning a Packard was a statement of success. More than that it was a tangible reward, recognition in comfort, quiet performance, style and luxury that the Packard owners could enjoy on a daily basis. Packard's successful advertising campaign, 'Ask the man who owns one' acknowledged, not only for their clients but also for the larger world, that Packard owners were trendsetters whose opinions mattered.
Introduced in August 1930, the Eighth Series Packards reflected, but still did not fully recognize, the transformation in both the world's economy and the automobile market which was being wrought by the stock market crash of October 1929 and the ensuing economic depression. The effect of the Crash was still being assessed, and every positive development in the economy and financial markets was seized as indication that things weren't as bad as they might seem, or were going to get better. There had been no time following the Crash for Packard to make substantial changes in its models or product lines. There were alterations, however, including more power by adopting the improved cylinder block with larger intake and exhaust ports of 1930s 734 Speedster in the Deluxe Eights along with larger intake and exhaust manifolds. Vacuum tank fuel feed was replaced by a mechanical fuel pump and chassis lubrication was now automatic rather than by hand pump.
More significantly, Packard completed its long term plan of substantially consolidating all custom body building in its own coachworks. Long planned as a way of heightening Packard's market position and capturing the lucrative custom coachbuilding commissions, it instead became a way of keeping Packard staff employed as sales volumes plummeted. The financial crisis in the nation and in luxury automobiles in particular was hard to miss and Packard responded in the only way its lead times and design cycles allowed: it lowered prices. The five passenger 840 Sedan price dropped over 15 from the comparable Seventh Series model at introduction, then dropped again in September. But if it was any help the effect was invisible as sales all but stopped.
Between the Depression and Packard's consolidation of custom coachbuilding in its own shops, Eighth Series Packards with coachbuilt bodies are exceedingly rare. One of those favored with a Eighth Series commission was Waterhouse. Established only in 1928 by Charles Waterhouse and his son in Webster, Massachusetts, Waterhouse had constructed a Convertible Victoria body for Packard in 1928 for the marques' display at the Paris Show. Built on a nearly impossible schedule, it was based on a design which Waterhouse designer George Weaver created from a photograph of a similar style supplied by Packard. Subsequently, Waterhouse became renowned for its Convertible Victoria designs which employed ingenious top mechanisms that folded almost flat with the low window sills.
The design and execution of the Waterhouse Convertible Victorias is something special. With their low window sills and lowered rear body to clear the folded top, they are sporting but at the same time refined and elegant. Typically executed by Waterhouse on long wheelbase chassis, such as the 140 1/2 inch Packard 840, the passenger compartment ends almost exactly at the rear wheels' centerline, accenting the long, clean lines of the Packard 840 and its long, sweeping front fenders.
Firmly entrenched at the top of the luxury car market in America, Packard's reputation also was strong internationally. In 1930 Packards accounted for fully a third of all the exports of US built cars valued over $2,000.
One of them was this outstanding 1931 Packard 840 Deluxe Eight with Convertible Victoria coachwork by Waterhouse. Delivered on November 11, 1930 by R. Gonzalez & Company in Montevideo, Uruguay, the original purchaser of this Packard is unknown. One story says it was ordered by the national government for the then-President of Uruguay, Gabriel Terra. Another recounts that it was ordered by a wealthy vintner who specified the Waterhouse Convertible Victoria body. What is known is that it returned to the US in the mid-Seventies where restoration was begun by Tom Sparks in the following decade for then-owner Mr. Jack Skarratt.
Once the rolling chassis was completed, Skarratt took the car and drove it through 18 full tanks of gas while adjusting, tweaking and developing the chassis, drivetrain and brakes for perfect operation. It was then purchased by Mr. Bernie Ratzlaff who had the chassis, now somewhat used after Skarratt's driving and perfection of its operation, re-restored as well as completing restoration of the beautiful Waterhouse coachwork. When the restoration was finished it was presented at the 1997 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it captured First in Class and was a contender for Best in Show. It was subsequently awarded a Classic Car Club of America National First Prize at the California Grand Classic in 1998.
Carefully preserved by its present owner since its acquisition in 2000, the 1930 Packard 840 Convertible Victoria by Waterhouse is a stylish, sporting and elegant automobile of the highest quality. Its length and the low body are accentuated by placement of its dual spare tires at the rear. Free of the incursion of sidemounted spares, the long, sweeping front fenders of the 840 are seen to best effect and it carries its chrome wire wheels with white sidewall tires well. A silver accent down the body side and the chrome trim along the lower body edge subtly complement the body's lines.
The brown leather trimmed interior is equally enticing. Charles Waterhouse's son Osborne had been in charge of the woodworking department of another coachbuilder and the beautifully grained wood trim atop the dash, up the windshield posts and along the window sills attests to his skills.
An automobile of rarity and distinction, this 1930 Packard 840 has been restored not only to the highest concours standards of fit and finish but also carefully developed to function superbly. It has been judged as the best of the best at Pebble Beach and in CCCA Grand National competition, then carefully maintained by succeeding owners to maintain it in pristine condition.
As it was in 1930, this rare, coachbuilt Packard 840 is the mark of discernment, taste and style.
1931 PACKARD 840 DELUXE EIGHT CONVERTIBLE VICTORIA
COACHWORK BY WATERHOUSE
Car No. 840-173
Chassis No. 188992
Engine No. 189054
Black with burgundy leather interior and black cloth top
Engine: L-head, eight cylinder, in-line, single updraft carburetor, 385ci, 120bhp; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: live axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel mechanical drum. Left hand drive.
In 1930 Packard was the prestige marque in America. Justly renowned for the smooth power of its eight cylinder engines, the stately ride of its quality chassis and the uniform excellence of its materials and manufacture, owning a Packard was a statement of success. More than that it was a tangible reward, recognition in comfort, quiet performance, style and luxury that the Packard owners could enjoy on a daily basis. Packard's successful advertising campaign, 'Ask the man who owns one' acknowledged, not only for their clients but also for the larger world, that Packard owners were trendsetters whose opinions mattered.
Introduced in August 1930, the Eighth Series Packards reflected, but still did not fully recognize, the transformation in both the world's economy and the automobile market which was being wrought by the stock market crash of October 1929 and the ensuing economic depression. The effect of the Crash was still being assessed, and every positive development in the economy and financial markets was seized as indication that things weren't as bad as they might seem, or were going to get better. There had been no time following the Crash for Packard to make substantial changes in its models or product lines. There were alterations, however, including more power by adopting the improved cylinder block with larger intake and exhaust ports of 1930s 734 Speedster in the Deluxe Eights along with larger intake and exhaust manifolds. Vacuum tank fuel feed was replaced by a mechanical fuel pump and chassis lubrication was now automatic rather than by hand pump.
More significantly, Packard completed its long term plan of substantially consolidating all custom body building in its own coachworks. Long planned as a way of heightening Packard's market position and capturing the lucrative custom coachbuilding commissions, it instead became a way of keeping Packard staff employed as sales volumes plummeted. The financial crisis in the nation and in luxury automobiles in particular was hard to miss and Packard responded in the only way its lead times and design cycles allowed: it lowered prices. The five passenger 840 Sedan price dropped over 15 from the comparable Seventh Series model at introduction, then dropped again in September. But if it was any help the effect was invisible as sales all but stopped.
Between the Depression and Packard's consolidation of custom coachbuilding in its own shops, Eighth Series Packards with coachbuilt bodies are exceedingly rare. One of those favored with a Eighth Series commission was Waterhouse. Established only in 1928 by Charles Waterhouse and his son in Webster, Massachusetts, Waterhouse had constructed a Convertible Victoria body for Packard in 1928 for the marques' display at the Paris Show. Built on a nearly impossible schedule, it was based on a design which Waterhouse designer George Weaver created from a photograph of a similar style supplied by Packard. Subsequently, Waterhouse became renowned for its Convertible Victoria designs which employed ingenious top mechanisms that folded almost flat with the low window sills.
The design and execution of the Waterhouse Convertible Victorias is something special. With their low window sills and lowered rear body to clear the folded top, they are sporting but at the same time refined and elegant. Typically executed by Waterhouse on long wheelbase chassis, such as the 140 1/2 inch Packard 840, the passenger compartment ends almost exactly at the rear wheels' centerline, accenting the long, clean lines of the Packard 840 and its long, sweeping front fenders.
Firmly entrenched at the top of the luxury car market in America, Packard's reputation also was strong internationally. In 1930 Packards accounted for fully a third of all the exports of US built cars valued over $2,000.
One of them was this outstanding 1931 Packard 840 Deluxe Eight with Convertible Victoria coachwork by Waterhouse. Delivered on November 11, 1930 by R. Gonzalez & Company in Montevideo, Uruguay, the original purchaser of this Packard is unknown. One story says it was ordered by the national government for the then-President of Uruguay, Gabriel Terra. Another recounts that it was ordered by a wealthy vintner who specified the Waterhouse Convertible Victoria body. What is known is that it returned to the US in the mid-Seventies where restoration was begun by Tom Sparks in the following decade for then-owner Mr. Jack Skarratt.
Once the rolling chassis was completed, Skarratt took the car and drove it through 18 full tanks of gas while adjusting, tweaking and developing the chassis, drivetrain and brakes for perfect operation. It was then purchased by Mr. Bernie Ratzlaff who had the chassis, now somewhat used after Skarratt's driving and perfection of its operation, re-restored as well as completing restoration of the beautiful Waterhouse coachwork. When the restoration was finished it was presented at the 1997 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it captured First in Class and was a contender for Best in Show. It was subsequently awarded a Classic Car Club of America National First Prize at the California Grand Classic in 1998.
Carefully preserved by its present owner since its acquisition in 2000, the 1930 Packard 840 Convertible Victoria by Waterhouse is a stylish, sporting and elegant automobile of the highest quality. Its length and the low body are accentuated by placement of its dual spare tires at the rear. Free of the incursion of sidemounted spares, the long, sweeping front fenders of the 840 are seen to best effect and it carries its chrome wire wheels with white sidewall tires well. A silver accent down the body side and the chrome trim along the lower body edge subtly complement the body's lines.
The brown leather trimmed interior is equally enticing. Charles Waterhouse's son Osborne had been in charge of the woodworking department of another coachbuilder and the beautifully grained wood trim atop the dash, up the windshield posts and along the window sills attests to his skills.
An automobile of rarity and distinction, this 1930 Packard 840 has been restored not only to the highest concours standards of fit and finish but also carefully developed to function superbly. It has been judged as the best of the best at Pebble Beach and in CCCA Grand National competition, then carefully maintained by succeeding owners to maintain it in pristine condition.
As it was in 1930, this rare, coachbuilt Packard 840 is the mark of discernment, taste and style.