1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout Hidden Away for 54 Years!

Fast, light, and sporty are words that don’t really encapsulate the description of the American car of the 1930’s. Big, luxurious, and outlandish are usually more appropriate. Cadillac, Duesenberg, Marmon, Packard, and Stutz created some of the greatest and most expensive cars of their time, but fast, light, and sporty were not so much a part of their designs. When Duesenberg introduced its big eight cylinder double overhead cam engine in 1929, and when Cadillac introduced its V-16 in 1930, they gained an enormous amount of attention that Packard took notice of. While Packard had always made cars of the utmost quality until that point, they were still out flashed by these big glamorous V-16 and overhead cam engines. The big engines were flashy and definitely fast, but the Duesenbergs, Cadillacs, and others were big and heavy at the same time. Instead of just creating another big exotic engine and luxurious car, Packard took their trusty flathead straight eight and gave it a whole new hopped up design that could compete with the most exotic engines of the time.

The 734 was basically a Packard “hot rod” created by Packard. They modified the standard eight chassis of 134 1/2 inches and dropped a DeLuxe eight motor in it with significant modifications. The cylinder block casting was completely different from the other 1930 Packard models in that the faces to which the intake and exhaust manifolds were bolted is on a 45 degree angle in a tent shaped protrusion from the block, allowing for more interior space and larger openings to the manifolds. The exhaust manifold itself was larger and was straight lined to the rear with fins cast on the top for cooling. Intake and exhaust valves were increased to 1 5/8 inches for better breathing as well. The carburetor is also unique to the 734 Speedster, a dual throat updraft Detroit Lubricator. A high compression 6.0 to 1 cylinder head could also be had on the 734. All of this combined boosted power significantly from the normal Deluxe eight cars. The 740 and 745 models made 106 horsepower at 3200 RPM, but the 734 with the high compression head along with all of its other modifications makes 145 horsepower at 3400 RPM! A high speed rear axle could also be ordered for higher top speeds and all 734 Speedsters had cast iron finned brake drums for additional brake cooling. Around 140 734 Speedsters were produced in all body styles (Sedan, Phaeton, Victoria Coupe, Roadster and the Runabout) of which only around 25 remain in total existence today.

THIS AMAZING CAR, Chassis number 184018, a 734 Speedster Runabout, was sold new by the Smith Eveleigh Packard dealership in Watertown, New York in 1930. It was kept by its first owner until the late 1940’s when it was donated to the Copenhagen, New York fire department only a few miles away from where it was originally sold. In the early 1960’s it was acquired by the famed car dealer and collector Tom Mix of Massachusetts. Mr. Mix only kept it for a few years and sold it to its last owner in 1966 and the car would remain in his ownership until only a few weeks ago when we acquired it. We immediately sold the car and will be restoring it for the concours circuit for its new owner. It’s the last unknown and unrestored 734 to resurface in the world and is a fantastic one to boot. Every number is correct (chassis, front axle, rear axle, steering box, S.O. number, body number) the chassis even retains it factory stenciling underneath stating the dealers name and address and in the rear left inside frame rail the special order number is also stenciled and intact. It also retains its original body tag as well as the original firewall tag. The body itself is also in great original condition, even retaining its original body moldings with its body number stamped on the underside of them (#2). A bill of sale from Tom Mix to the previous owner dated 1966 was also included with the car! It had been stored away in a shed on the gentleman’s property for 54 years. This is an incredible find and an incredible car.