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My friend's grandmother owned this car - this is a newspaper clipping of her car. He asked me what it was - and I don't know the older Packards - I'm sure somebody here can look at the photo and identify it.

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I don't think that is a Packard. It might be a Pierce Arrow, based on the hub caps and hood. Late 20s to very early 30s?

Looks like a 29 640 Roadster to me.

Yes. 1929 640 roadster.

Weird. I can't tell from the pict if hood is correct. What are you guys looking at to make the determination. Happy to be wrong, but would like to not repeat the mistake!

Tom

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I don't think it's a Pierce-Arrow as the headlights aren't "frenched" in the front fenders which was a Pierce feature from the teen's on up unless it was sold in NY which I think mandated "normal" headlights.

Thanks guys!

Tom
It's hard to pinpoint exactly what to look at to determin Packard. I looked at it and immediately "knew," but it comes from "too many hours" looking at Packards and Packard pictures (rather than studying). Standard-bodied cars of this era are fairly easy to identify as to make. They each had their own "look" or "presence." Even Pierce-Arrows with "New York" headlights don't look like this car. The wheels/hubs are unique to Packard, which is one of the first indicators to varify someone's first assumption that it's a Packard.

THe hubs are pretty reliable marker, but what stands out is the crease in the side of the hood marking the shape of the radiator.

I cheated. I have one, although my car has been fitted with a 30 740 body. Beyond that, like West was saying, you just know how to pick them right out from too many hrs looking at them, live or in pics.