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On this evening's "American Pickers" the guys were in Boston, MA, picking a guy's garage with lots of car/motorcycle stuff. In the midst of the stuff was a 1932 shovel-nose Packard that had been repainted and still had the original interior which was in surprisingly good shape. The guys didn't make an offer, just showed it to the audience and chatted briefly about the car.

Wasn't 1932 to only year that particular body style was made?

kind regards
Garrett Meadows

Yes, 1932 was the only the shovel nose was made, also known as the "light eight ".

Yes, 1932 Light Eight the only year and model to use that grille (and other features) but as far as the basic body tub itself goes, there were so many left-over Light Eight bodies that they were used for the 1933 Eight (1001) sedan but of course with a conventional grille. Thus the 1933 Eight 1001 has a slightly shorter wheelbase than either 1932 or 1934 (127-1/2 vs. 129-3/4 IIRC).

Hi Garrett

Yes, the Model 900 Light Eight was a 1932 only series...but here's the proviso. At some point, as you study and encounter Classic Packards, you come across a 1933 model that looks very familiar; same size and body styles as the '32 900 but with '33 radiator and fender styling. Those are 1933 Model 1001 Eights.

After the only-too-successful '32 Light Eight sold fully 40.7% of their overall 1932 volume but gave away the store because of its low prices ($1,750-$1,795 revised to $1,895-$1,940), management quietly folded it back into the 1933 Eight line. This time, priced from $2,150-$2,250, the Model 1001 still accounted for 39% of sales. While they likely made no profits on them, at least it wasn't emptying the till quite as quickly as the Light Eight 900 did. These hard lessons were some of the impetuous that lead to the decision to produce the 120.

Steve

Hello Steve!

Thank you for the detailed and highly informative response. I appreciate it. Considering that 1932 was the height of the Great Depression, I'm sure the Packard management were quick to correct marketing mis-steps to minimize losses, even if it meant re-cycling or perhaps a better word is re-packaging a less than stellar "seller."

take care
Garrett Meadows