1930 Packard Eight Sport Phaeton
Custom dual-cowl phaeton designed by coachbuilder Raymond Dietrich
Two-toned paint and white-walled tires, a classic pre-war look
Smooth and quiet power from the famous Packard inline 8-cylinder engine
Most desirable among the open Packard body styles available in the Seventh Series was the Style 441 dual-cowl sport phaeton, a classic four-passenger open model with a second windshield and cowl for rear seat passengers. In many ways, this dashing and well-proportioned style, which was so appropriate to country estates and summer homes, defined the 1930s Classic Era.
With new styling overseen by famed designer Ray Dietrich, the Seventh Series Packard models debuted on August 29, 1929, sporting lower, sleeker lines and the beautifully flowing front fenders so emblematic of the Classic Era. New headlamps and the repositioning of the lights from the cowl to the front fenders were other notable stylistic changes. Best known for being well-built, luxurious, smooth, and very quiet.
Though these vehicles were incredibly expensive, going for the price of a very nice house at the time, they were the luxury car of choice for the elite of that day, as they had a well-earned reputation for being aesthetically beautiful, well-built, quiet, and smooth on the road.
This car was originally delivered to Southern California, as it wears an original Earle C. Anthony service plate on its dashboard. It was a part of the renowned collection of Robert Gottlieb, a successful Los Angeles attorney, and a serious automobile enthusiast. He was best remembered as the long-time “Classic Comments” columnist for Motor Trend magazine and as one of the men who popularized the term “classic car.”
Specifications
Engine: 385 cu in L-head inline 8-cylinder, 106 bhp with Detroit Lubricator updraft carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Suspension & Brakes: Solid front, live rear axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and 4-wheel mechanical drum brakes
Wheelbase: 140.5 in