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

Hi, I have a friend who bought a 1930 Packard Boat tail Conv.
We are not sure if this car is original from Packard produced. Can anybody help my friend to identify this car?

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Hi

Although it looks very nice, that is neither a Packard produced boat-tail body nor even produced in the '30-'31 period. It has the hallmarks of a modified roadster created in the last 30-40 years. Notice the panels on the rear have little or no surface development, something that requires an experienced craftsman with an English wheel and panel beating experience to create. That nearly flat upper surface edged with chrome moulding is very crude compared what a real period body would have.

Just conjecture, I think the car was a roadster that had the rear of the body cut away at one time to become a commercial vehicle, now has been restored to it's current form.

The only Packard factory produced boat-tail bodies were those for the '30 734 Speedster Runabout. There are good pictures on this website to compare.

Is the car in the pictures a '31 840 model? What information is on the data plate? Please tell us more about it.

Steve

damn nice looking car though! call me stupid though, but is that a Packard hood ornament or what....looks like the goddess of speed, but the wheel is drooping down, isn't she supposed to hold it straight out in front of her??

It's a boattail the goddess is dunking the donut

This is really a question that calls for West Peterson. One thing for sure, it's neither a 734 boat tail speedster or one of the replicas. Now the Packard Custom Body shop didn't have an exclusive on boat tails, both Biddle & Smart and I believe Merrimac also made that style (for Hudson & Essex and perhaps others) in a form that looks similar to the photo. So I guess there is a slim chance that the body is legit though probably not on that chassis. But if pressed for an answer, I'd say it's likely a nodern creation.

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G'day Fred,
to PackardInfo, and sorry I can't help with your question. It is a lovely looking Packard though. Another Forum member here, from Spain, is "Manuel Glez" who is also a member of the Packard Club there and may be able to assist if the Packard is known locally.

And I invite you or your friend to include the Boat tail in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how it was acquired.

It looks very home-made to me. Pieces from a bunch of different years and models. Tail light is pre-1930, push-out windshield certainly wasn't a speedster option, the radiator cap base looks like standard eight.
I've never seen it before. It doesn't look half bad, although if that leather trunk is attached to the car, that would be a deal breaker for me.
It would be good to get some engine numbers and body numbers. The engine number would be on the top of the driver's side front motor mount. Other numbers might be on a plate attached to the fire wall, engine side.

Wow ! Thanks everybody for reply on my request ! In the weekend I will try to get some numbers and some more photos. Maybe together we can find out more about this vehicle.
It is very beautiful and looks like a million $$$.
My friend traded it with several other cars from his collection. But of reasons I do not know - there is not much history or info on this vehicle until now.
Best regards to everybody
Fred

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The car is indeed very nice looking. Fred has sent me some photos and I will post what I feel are the significant ones for i.d purposes. I do not have the time right now to look up these numbers, so if someone else can decipher them, I'd appreciate it.
Engine #: 190737 (looks like a 1932 to me)
Chassis #: 188296
Things I see that lead me to believe that this is a "bitsa" made up from all sorts of different car is
dashboard (1932 ??? gauges)
1931 Steering wheel
1931 wheels
1929 taillights
1932 engine ??
interior door handles from latter part of 1930s
1929 gas cap??

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The motor # corresponds to an 840/845 series. While the car is apparently a mongrel, it's not unattractive.