Unusual 1930 Packard (?) in Hollywood

[Grandpa]

The photograph was taken in Hollywood in February 1932.  The car is parked in front of the popular Esther's Beauty Salon and Baths at 1769 N. Cahuenga Blvd.

 

My guess is that the car started life as a 1930 Packard Standard Eight short body phaeton, with side mounts, and then modified by removing the trunk and adding rear mounted spare tires.  The tank, behind the body, could be an additional gasoline tank.

 

[Brass is Best]

I do not think that this car is a Packard. Tail lamp, side mount, lamps, wheels and hood do not look like they came from Grand Boulevard.

[keiser31]

The hood contour sure looks like Packard or Dagmar.

[Grandpa]

Since the Hollywood car is almost new, the modifications are very likely not a home-made custom.  The car could be owned by a Hollywood personality seeking a distinctive looking automobile.

 

A case for a 1930 Packard ID:  Factory pictures of 1930 Packard Standard Eight parking lights, they show a distinctive feature that isn't present on the more expensive models, that is, on the Standard Eight the top of the parking lights is slightly higher than the top of the headlights.  This feature of the parking lights can be seen on the Hollywood car.  This appearance is due to the fact that the Standard Eight used smaller diameter headlights.  Please see the attached factory picture of a Standard Eight, below.

 

I was unable to find a factory picture that offered a good rear view of a 1930 Packard Standard Eight tail light.  The factory side view images could support the case that the Standard Eight used a different tail light than the more expensive models.

 

[Brass is Best]

This is what the tail lamp should look like.

[Brass is Best]

Sort of looks like a Huppmobile.

[Grandpa]

Pictured is a 1929 Packard Standard Eight (633) which shows that this model used the same tail light design as the more expensive models.