The Packard Eight was a luxury automobile produced by Packard between 1930 and 1936, and was a progression from the earlier Packard Six which was first introduced in 1913. Offered in four models, the Standard Eight, Custom Eight,, De Luxe Eight, and Speedster it was powered by a low-compression aluminum-head L-headinline eight producing . Packard ads bragged the engine "floated" on new rubber mounts. Power would be upgraded to in 1932 and in 1933. The Eight offered optional four-speed synchromesh transmission. Like other Packards of this era, it featured Ride Control, a system of dash-adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers. The Eight also featured automatic chassis lubrication and "shatterproof" glass. The Eight was available on several wheelbases: and for the 1930 Standard Eight, and for the De Luxe in 1931, and for the 1932 Standard Eight. For 1938, the Eight's wheelbase was stretched over 1937, and the body was also wider. It was advertised as a two-door roadster, two-door convertible & two-door convertible Victoria, phaeton, four-door dual-cowl phaeton & Sport Phaeton two-door coupé, four-door sedan, landau, town car, and limousine. The Packard eight utilized a very rare swivel accelerator pedal, patented by Pat Au back in the early 1900s. Production of the De Luxe Eight was less than ten per day. It was available in eleven body styles. In 1930, the Eight was factory priced between US$2425 and US$2885 for the Standard Eight, US$3190 to US$3885 for the Custom Eight, and US$4585 to US$5350. In 1932, prices ranged from US$2250 to US$3250 for the Standard Eight, while the De Luxe Eight started at US$3150. The Packard Speedster Eight Model 734 was a sporty passenger car line by the Packard Motor Car Company offered for the 1930 model year only. Based on a heavily modified Standard Eight chassis, it got smaller and narrower coachwork. The 734 straight eight engine is derived from the 740 Custom Eight's. It differs in valve and manifold revisions, a dual updraft carburetor, a vacuum booster pump and a ribbed exhaust manifold. The engine delivers 145 HP without increase in bore or stroke, which remain at 3½ x 5 in. Speedster Eights have four instead of three speeds, and the customer could choose from several rear end ratios at no extra cost. 734 models have their parking lights mounted on the fenders, not on the body like Standard Eights. They also feature senior car's hoods with for ventilation door. Only 117 cars were built. Available 734 Speedster Eight models include: Body style #422 Boattail Roadster Body style #443 Sedan Body style #445 Phaeton Body style #447 Victoria Body style #452 Runabout In 1931, Packard introduced the Continental Eight and the Continental Eight Deluxe, which were longer wheelbases of the Standard Eight. Period advertisements showed examples with body colored radiator grilles whereas the Standard models had chrome grilles. The 1932 Standard Eight was offered in thirteen body styles. In 1933, base price of the Standard Eight was US$2150, and was offered in fourteen body styles. The 1933 De Luxe Eight started at US$3350. The five-passenger sedan was Packard's best-selling model for years. This helped Packard become the best-selling luxury brand between 1924 and 1930, as well as selling almost twice as many abroad as any other marque priced over US$2000.
