1928 Packard Eight

This 1928 Packard Custom Eight is a Model 443 phaeton that spent time in collections in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington, and California, including those of Peter Hageman and John Mozart, before it was purchased by the selling dealer in 2023. The car is finished in black over oxblood leather upholstery, and power comes from a 384.8ci straight-eight paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Features include painted wire wheels with dual side-mount spares as well as a tan soft top, a fold-down luggage rack, red bodyside accents, a driver-side spotlight, cowl lamps, a Boyce MotoMeter radiator cap, a Goddess of Speed ornament, and locking wood cabinets in the cabin partition. This Fourth Series Packard is now offered with a clean California title. The Fourth Series Packard was introduced in July 1927, and over 7,800 examples were produced across nine factory-offered body styles. The phaeton bodywork on this example is finished in black with faded red bodyside stripes, and it features chrome bumpers with black and red accents, a Boyce MotoMeter radiator cap, a Goddess of Speed radiator mascot, a tilting windshield, cowl lamps, a driver-side spotlight, running boards, a tan soft top, a taillight cluster, and a fold-down luggage rack. Black-painted wire wheels wear chrome hubcaps and are mounted with Denman bias-ply tires. Matching spare wheels topped with mirrors are stored in the front fenders, a differentiating feature for the Custom Eight. The Model 443 rides on a 143″ wheelbase and features front and rear semi-elliptical leaf springs as well as a Bijur chassis lubrication system. Stopping power is provided by mechanical drums at all four corners. The front and rear benches are trimmed in oxblood leather, as are the door panels. Equipment includes a cigar lighter, door-mounted storage pockets, wood trim, and tan rear carpets, while the rear cabin partition features a robe bar, locking storage drawers, and lighting. The front bench seatback and rear bench bottom were reupholstered under previous ownership, and imperfections in the upholstery can be seen in the gallery. The four-spoke steering wheel fronts a woodgrain dash panel with a leather-accented instrument cluster housing a barrel-type speedometer, a clock, and gauges for amperage, oil pressure, and fuel level. A Saint Christopher medallion is affixed to the dash. The five-digit odometer shows 36k miles, a few of which were added by the selling dealer. Total mileage is unknown. The 384.8ci straight-eight features nine main bearings and a Packard-branded Detroit updraft carburetor for a factory rating of 109 horsepower.  The car is titled by its engine number, 230593A. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission.