1929 Packard 640 Roadster

1929 Packard 640 Roadster

Packard’s Sixth Series debuted on August 1, 1928, continuing the long-running tradition of exceptional quality, engineering excellence, and sophisticated style. Customers had a wide range of catalog body styles to choose from, as well as four different chassis options. The base of the lineup consisted of the 626 and 633 Standard Eight (wheelbases of 126” and 133” respectively), with a 90 horsepower, 319 cubic-inch eight-cylinder. The term “base model” is relative as the least expensive Club Sedan came in at $2,275 at a time when a new Ford was just $435. Customers wanting a bit more exclusivity could opt for the 640 Custom Eight or 645 Deluxe Eight, both fitted with the larger, 106 horsepower, 384.8 cubic-inch “Big Eight.”  As always, Packard’s Custom Catalog was rife with options for unique coachwork, though many buyers opted for the beautifully styled standard bodies. One of the prettiest of all was the gracefully styled 2/4 passenger Runabout, which is the we featured here. With its deeply curved front fenders, low profile, and raked windscreen, the Runabout roadster captured the essence of late-twenties American sports motoring.

1929 Packard 640 Roadster