1932 Packard Light Eight Model 900 Roadster Coupe

[alsancle]

I always have liked these.  They have a strong following.   Don't hate the color, don't love the whitewalls with chrome wires.

BTW,  BAT seems to have changed their file format for images which now makes it a pain to bring the pictures over.  So I probably won't be giving them much more free adverting.

 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1932-packard-light-eight-roadster-coupe-900-series-shovel-nose/

 

This 1932 Packard Light Eight wears Roadster Coupe bodywork and was delivered new in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, on March 30, 1932, during the only year of production for Packard’s first entry-level model line. The car is said to have been retained by its original owner until his passing circa 1960, when it was sold to a future doctor who remained its steward for 58 years. During that span it is said to have received a five-year refurbishment in the late 1970s before participating in various tours of the East Coast with the owner and his wife, while also earning a CCCA Premier Senior First Prize and reportedly appearing at the 1999 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. After being purchased by its current owner in 2018, the car spent time on display at America’s Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio, and is later said to have received a class award at a Packard Club National meet. Finished in brown with orange pinstripes, it is powered by a 320ci L-head inline-eight that breathes through a single updraft carburetor with an intake heater. Additional features include a three-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on its top two gears, mechanically actuated four-wheel drum brakes, adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers, 17” chrome wire wheels, dual side-mount spares, a fold-down rear luggage rack, a tan convertible top, brown leather interior upholstery, and a rumble seat. Purchased by its current owner two years ago, this Shovelnose Roadster Coupe is now offered on dealer consignment with a clean Arizona title.

 

 

[John Bloom]

Handsome car with great lines.  I had the opportunity to drive a light 8 earlier this year and was very impressed. It felt like it had the acceleration of a much more modern car. 
 

 

[trimacar]

Have a local friend with a nice shovel nose sedan, for sale, with a parts car included.  Very tempting.  Nice cars.

[Tph479]

Werner Gubitz really knocked it out of the ballpark when he designed the Light Eight.  In his earlier years Gubitz worked under the tutelage of Ray Dietrich and other fine designers. In my opinion there is not a bad line on that car. Jessie Vincent and his guys  also worked some magic on the engineering of these fine machines. 
 

Over half the Packard’s built in 1932 were of the light eight model, and Packard lost money on everyone of them. In period literature, the only car in the 1932 Packard lineup that the above 900 coupe roadster did not outperform was the Twin Six coupe roadster. These shovelnose cars are muscle cars for the vintage and are fine overall performers.

 

The above car appear gets the Fonz treatment. 2 thumbs up.

[Loco 90]

I had the opportunity to drive one of these years ago, MARVELOUS!

[Steve_Mack_CT]

On 10/20/2023 at 7:29 PM, Tph479 said:

Werner Gubitz really knocked it out of the ballpark when he designed the Light Eight.  In his earlier years Gubitz worked under the tutelage of Ray Dietrich and other fine designers. In my opinion there is not a bad line on that car. Jessie Vincent and his guys  also worked some magic on the engineering of these fine machines. 
 

Over half the Packard’s built in 1932 were of the light eight model, and Packard lost money on everyone of them. In period literature, the only car in the 1932 Packard lineup that the above 900 coupe roadster did not outperform was the Twin Six coupe roadster. These shovelnose cars are muscle cars for the vintage and are fine overall performers.

 

The above car appear gets the Fonz treatment. 2 thumbs up.

Agree - Gubitz doesn't seem to get a ton of love compared to some of his contempoaries but he did a great job for Packard and of course insisted the Jr. line was unmistakable as Packards.  The Shovelnose cars are great looking all around as David C notes.  

Love this one and agree with you and the Fonz Tph. 👍👍👍

[RansomEli]

Technical advice:

1. Save the BringATrailer image to your downloads file. The file will be downloaded as "Picture.jpg.webp".
2. Rename the image "Picture.jpg" and Bob's your uncle.

[theconvertibleguy]

Thats' a damn nice car. Sadly many people think so. 60k USD and there's five days to go doesn't help BAT's rep of being expensive.

[Matt Goist]

I am in the middle of recommissioning  a Light Eight Coupe, when I am ready to market the car I will be sure to post it to AACA! It's far from perfect but would make a solid driver.