Estate Sale1931 Packard 833 5-Passenger Phaeton Do we really need to tell you how wonderful Packards are? They are easily the most popular luxury marque of the 1930s, and the combination of gorgeous styling, rugged mechanicals, and easy road manners make them perennial favorites. For touring, few early cars can match a Packard’s pace and those equipped with more sporting bodies—roadsters and touring cars—remain some of the most highly-sought vehicles of the era. Packard largely disregarded model years, instead revising their cars by Series, with their model designations indicating the Series and wheelbase. For instance, this lovely 5-passenger phaeton is an 8th Series Packard on a 133-inch wheelbase chassis (which was actually 134.5 inches, but who’s counting?), hence the 833 nomenclature. Regardless of the numbers, it’s a big, powerful, handsome, desirable car. This Packard 833 phaeton was restored in the 1970s and wore the color combination of black body and fenders with cream pin strips and dark green interior. Workmanship was excellent and for the most part, it was holding up beautifully, but is starting to look a little dated. You’ll note that the bodywork is quite good, with no signs of rust or botched repairs in the past, and it’s likely that this car has always been clean, straight, and well-maintained. There are a few scratches and imperfections in the paint that you would expect of a car that is driven and not showed. The doors fit well and close with a light “whap!” because, of course, they’re framed in wood and don’t weigh much at all. Most of the chrome probably dates to the 1970s restoration, but it’s excellent throughout with very few signs of age. The car has been fitted with an accessory spotlight, Polit Ray lights (not yet wired) and an authentic Packard trunk on the rack out back. A second taillight assembly has been added on the passenger side for safety. Two hood ornaments are included, too: the currently installed and optional “donut pusher” goddess of speed, and the plain cap that was standard equipment. If a traditional Full Classic Packard phaeton is on your wish list, this car nails the look from any angle. The interior dates to the 1970s restoration. It’s in good order and the patterns are correct, but the 40-something-year-old leather is showing some signs of age with some splitting of the seams. On the other hand, this is a car to drive, not to show, and you want the car you drive to place low demands on the owner—for this purpose, the interior is just right. Slide in and don’t worry about scuffing expensive fresh leather. Driving in less than ideal weather? Don’t sweat it, a little water won’t hurt it. Have passengers? You won’t ever worry that they’re going to hurt something that needs protecting. The low-demand way this car goes about its business is quite liberating. It’s also comfortable, with nice springs and padding backing up your backside and you can settle in for a long day of touring without complaints. Controls are standard for the era: a giant steering wheel with throttle and headlight controls on the hub, a cluster of gauges in the center (all operational except the fuel gauge), and a 3-speed manual shifter on the floor. switch panels were added under the dash for presumably the spotlight (on the right) which is not currently wired. Pull out the choke knob about an inch and hit the starter button over on the right by the passenger’s glove box, and the big straight-8 spins to life with a smooth wooshing sound. Rear seat passengers enjoy capricious legroom thanks to the massive 133-inch wheelbase and such niceties as a robe rail, foot rest, and storage compartment built into the back of the front seat. Overhead there’s a neatly fitted tan canvas, original from the 70’s, the top folds into a neat bundle and looks quite sporting, especially if you fold the windshield flat as well. This car also includes a full set of side curtains for all weather touring and the factory top saddles are removable to keep the flanks clean when the top is up. It also sports a rear tonough windshield to protect the read passengers. The 833 carried Packard’s legendary 320 cubic inch straight-8, which was rated at an easy 100 horsepower in the 8th Series. But the horsepower isn’t the story—as with most Packards, it’s all about the torque. That 9-main-bearing straight-8 pulls like an electric motor with about the same amount of noise and vibration. It’s silent and smooth. It was rebuilt some years ago and carefully maintained ever since, and has proven itself as a reliable tour car for more than a decade with its most recent owner. There’s been recent work and detailing, so it wears correct Packard Green engine enamel on the block atop a beautiful aluminum crankcase, new stainless hardware, correct Detroit Luberator carburator, correct distributor, and a fuel pump which was new in the 8th Series. The cooling system does its job and this Packard runs cool even on the hottest days and the generator keeps the battery topped up with ease. It’s equipped with an optional Bijur chassis lubrication system, but given the mess those systems make on the garage floor, it has been disconnected and standard fittings installed. It also carries an accessory oil filter and factory reporcelainized manifolds are undamaged and leak-free. You can see by the chassis that this is no trailer queen. It’s maintained, it’s ready to drive, and it’s solid, but it isn’t shiny. Like the rest of the car, that means you won’t hesitate to get behind the wheel and just enjoy the car as it was designed to be enjoyed. That’s what Packards do best anyway—just looking at them isn’t the same. The 4-speed manual transmission shifts cleanly (there's an ultra-low gear hidden down and to the left of first), although it takes some practice to master the clutch, and with 4.09 gears out back, it’s a reasonable 50 MPH cruiser. Brakes were still mechanical, of course, but they’re effective. Steering is heavy at a standstill but feather light at speed, and combined with the supple suspension (note that the leaf springs still wear metal gaiters) this is a comfortable car to drive. Floors are wood, so no worries about rust or rot, and the frame is as sturdy as a steel girder which is probably why the body fits together so well after all these years. There’s also a newer exhaust system that has the right Packard 8-cylinder tone. The wheels were replaced with to upgraded Chrome Wire Wheels and it wears 7.00-19 Lester wide whitewalls that really look great on the low-slung phaeton. I have personally known this car for more than a decade and it has never missed a beat on tour. It has been owned by a talented fellow who knows his way around things mechanical and keeps his hardware in top form. It’s also reasonably priced for an open Packard and in just the right condition for worry-free enjoyment on the road. If you’ve been looking for your next Packard, this is a fantastic choice. I931 Packard 833 dual windshield Touring car. All original with 78,566 mi. Driven on Gliddon tours.Nice good running touring car. It has many options including Chrome wire wheels, Dual Polit Ray lights, Spotlight, Wind Wings, Rear Tonneau windshield, Outside Mirrors, Rearview Mirror with Clock and Trunk. There is some splitting in the front seat at the seem and a repair to the right fender. Original paint is in good condition but does have some cracking or rear fenders.

 

Reasonably priced at $94,500

Disclaimer: Because of the age of the car we do NOT claim odometer is correct unless otherwise stated. Car is sold "as is". There is no warranty expressed or implied.

Please Reference Auto #475