Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I have come across a 626 chassis that has sometimes been referred to locally as a speedster chassis. What is interesting about this chassis is that the engine mounts are spaced for the big 8 engine and there is no sign of the original holes for the mount for the standard 8 engine. If these holes have been welded, it cannot be seen. I thought that a 626 chassis with engine mounts for big engine must be a speedster chassis. However, one more curious note is that it is drilled for RHD, with no holes on left hand chassis rail for the steering gear. Is it possible that a 626 speedster chassis was made at the factory in RHD? Love to hear your thoughts on this. The chassis number is 238xxx which is in the normal 626 range. Cheers Mal

Very interesting. The keeper of the Speedster roster knows of a few Speedsters that were exported, but they were all 1930 models, and all went to LHD countries, such as Argentina and France. He knows of no 1929s that were either exported or fitted with RHD. But, that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

There are less than a handful of the 1929s known to exist... maybe 3. A roadster in Florida that has been rebodied. An authentic phaeton in Florida that has not been seen for quite some time. A roadster in Michigan with a provenance that has always been questioned. The prototype speedster in Ohio that sits on a replacement chassis with replacement engine. And, most recently, a mixed bag of parts in Pennsylvania that has just turned up. So, basically, one fully complete and authentic car.

Hey West, thanks for your comments. As 626 speedsters are very rare, I am a little surprised that we have not seen other comments from members of the forum. I am sure there are some of you out there who know a lot more about speedster numbers and production. As these were special order, I guess it is entirely possible that a RHD model was ordered. The local gossip goes that this chassis (car) was once owned by a Circus owner here in NZ and may have come over from Australia years ago. No way to verify this. I had hoped that someone might have access to factory records re RHD speedsters.

Most prewar Packard records were trashed when Packard shut down in Detroit. The earliest Speedster information I have ever seen were photo copies (from the Detroit Library) of communication by Collier who reminisced how he and two others bought three 1929 Speedsters from the factory. Collier scrapped the body on his car and built a roadster (car still exists). The whereabouts of the other two cars is unknown. Possibly the car that was just unearthed in Pennsylvania may have pieces of one of the other two.

The only information I can add about the 6th series Speedsters is that their body dash or thief-proof numbers are widely scattered thru the overall 6th series numbers and thus almost certainly the production of bodies was not campaigned but built on receipt of an order. No surprise given what must have been a very low expectation of production volume.

There are a couple of folks who have studied the 6th series Speedsters over the years, PM me if you have a serious interest.