Re: 734 speedster sedan project

Posted by fred kanter On 2011/6/17 11:40:05

This project will rank right up there with "labor of love" '55 clipper just posted with a straight 8.

I have a 734 and will photograph the frame when i get a chance and am wearing old clothes. The front fenders ave very long and I believe they are from a 745, I'll give yoiu the length. The body and dash are narrower and the dash does not have glove boxes on the open cars, not sure abut th closed cars but I would presume so. LOwering the body on the frame is a lot easier but the sleekness of the speedsters is partly due to the low windshields. On line somewhere is a photo of a Speedster coupe on the factory turntable, you can see the long hood, "custom by Packard " plate etc etc. It has a standard coupe height windshield and looks awful.

Speedsters also had xtended cowls which made the hood look even longer, therefore the body had to be shorter. They used a 740/745 hood to cover the Super engine

In order to decrease wind resistance Packard advised not to order sidemounts or any ohter accessory which would interfere with speed. The boat tails had to have side mounts as a rear spare would not fit.