.jpg?w=1)
Details
1929 PACKARD MODEL 640 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN
COACHWORK BY LARKINS & CO.
Chassis No. 171988
Engine No. 176315C
VIN No. 172011
Red with dark brown fenders, beige interior and a beige top
Engine: L-head, straight eight, 348ci., 109bhp at 3,200rpm; Gearbox: three-speed manual with reverse; Suspension: front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel mechanical drums. Left hand drive.
The 640 Custom Eight Packard was introduced on August 1, 1928 at a time when American cars had taken over the luxury car leadership in the world. The most popular body style of the saloons was that of the convertible sedan. The trend was for wealthy owners and their wives to drive their own classics. Packard was very proud of its evolutionary changes and, much like Rolls-Royce, all models in the Packard series were not the same. When new engineering features were developed, they were incorporated immediately into full production. Customers were encouraged to bring in their older series cars to have them updated. The eight-cylinder engine designed in 1923 as a successor to the V12 was the backbone of the Packard line and lasted through 1930. The design was simple: a side valve L-head of the highest quality with an alloy crankcase. The crankshaft ran through nine main bearings giving smooth, effortless performance. Slowly the company phased out production of the six cylinder cars. The new eight would become the cornerstone of the new model line and the most prestigious of classics. The Six series cars were offered with over seventeen different custom body styles and the more discriminating buyer could have his car bodied by one of the many custom body builders.
This Classic has the 140-inch wheelbase fitted with its original custom body by Larkins & Co. of San Francisco, whose reputation began in the late 1860s when they started building wagons and coaches. Built for European Continental touring, this short-coupled classic features roll down windows with a removable center post and narrow windshield posts. This innovative new (clear vision) pillar design had been developed by George Gangloff in Switzerland. It was claimed that since the distance between the pillars was no greater in width than the inter-pupilary distance between the occupant's eyes, the pillars would virtually become invisible. The resulting style was extremely clean and crisp, and the individual front and rear seats provided luxurious comfort.
The car was purchased by the present owner in 1970 and has subsequently had an 'on-and-off' restoration over a period of 14 years. At the time of purchase it had traveled just 16,000 miles. Eventually by 1984 the car was completed after many exacting hours perfecting the restoration and it immediately won a Best of Show award when displayed at a local Concours. We are told that it has traveled just a further 250 miles since then. Mechanical features include the automatic lubrication system built into the chassis servicing 38 lubrication points and the car has automatic, thermostatically-controlled radiator shutters. The rouge body color is complemented with dark chocolate brown fenders and the owner has fairly told us that there are now some cracks on the paint and a few oil stains. The car has been started and moved every three months or so to keep it lubricated. An electric fuel pump is also fitted.
Accessories on the car include two trunks, the largest of which is an original Packard item, covered in Hartz beige material and a very rare optional luggage rack guard. The radiator is highlighted with a factory basket-weave stone guard and an Earl C. Anthony cloisonné badge. Other accessories include Packard Tripp lights, steel disk wheels, rare Packard step plates, original Packard See-Rite mirrors and leather gaiters to cover the springs. It is also offered with an original Owner's Manual.
This classic convertible sedan with Larkin coachwork would be a welcome participant at any classic car event nationwide.
COACHWORK BY LARKINS & CO.
Chassis No. 171988
Engine No. 176315C
VIN No. 172011
Red with dark brown fenders, beige interior and a beige top
Engine: L-head, straight eight, 348ci., 109bhp at 3,200rpm; Gearbox: three-speed manual with reverse; Suspension: front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel mechanical drums. Left hand drive.
The 640 Custom Eight Packard was introduced on August 1, 1928 at a time when American cars had taken over the luxury car leadership in the world. The most popular body style of the saloons was that of the convertible sedan. The trend was for wealthy owners and their wives to drive their own classics. Packard was very proud of its evolutionary changes and, much like Rolls-Royce, all models in the Packard series were not the same. When new engineering features were developed, they were incorporated immediately into full production. Customers were encouraged to bring in their older series cars to have them updated. The eight-cylinder engine designed in 1923 as a successor to the V12 was the backbone of the Packard line and lasted through 1930. The design was simple: a side valve L-head of the highest quality with an alloy crankcase. The crankshaft ran through nine main bearings giving smooth, effortless performance. Slowly the company phased out production of the six cylinder cars. The new eight would become the cornerstone of the new model line and the most prestigious of classics. The Six series cars were offered with over seventeen different custom body styles and the more discriminating buyer could have his car bodied by one of the many custom body builders.
This Classic has the 140-inch wheelbase fitted with its original custom body by Larkins & Co. of San Francisco, whose reputation began in the late 1860s when they started building wagons and coaches. Built for European Continental touring, this short-coupled classic features roll down windows with a removable center post and narrow windshield posts. This innovative new (clear vision) pillar design had been developed by George Gangloff in Switzerland. It was claimed that since the distance between the pillars was no greater in width than the inter-pupilary distance between the occupant's eyes, the pillars would virtually become invisible. The resulting style was extremely clean and crisp, and the individual front and rear seats provided luxurious comfort.
The car was purchased by the present owner in 1970 and has subsequently had an 'on-and-off' restoration over a period of 14 years. At the time of purchase it had traveled just 16,000 miles. Eventually by 1984 the car was completed after many exacting hours perfecting the restoration and it immediately won a Best of Show award when displayed at a local Concours. We are told that it has traveled just a further 250 miles since then. Mechanical features include the automatic lubrication system built into the chassis servicing 38 lubrication points and the car has automatic, thermostatically-controlled radiator shutters. The rouge body color is complemented with dark chocolate brown fenders and the owner has fairly told us that there are now some cracks on the paint and a few oil stains. The car has been started and moved every three months or so to keep it lubricated. An electric fuel pump is also fitted.
Accessories on the car include two trunks, the largest of which is an original Packard item, covered in Hartz beige material and a very rare optional luggage rack guard. The radiator is highlighted with a factory basket-weave stone guard and an Earl C. Anthony cloisonné badge. Other accessories include Packard Tripp lights, steel disk wheels, rare Packard step plates, original Packard See-Rite mirrors and leather gaiters to cover the springs. It is also offered with an original Owner's Manual.
This classic convertible sedan with Larkin coachwork would be a welcome participant at any classic car event nationwide.