1929 Packard 626 'Five-Window' Coupe

The patrician Packard straight eights are amongst the most coveted of all American classics, with superb engineering, wonderful styling and a build quality of the highest standard - the Packard was in a class of its own. That Packard were able to survive the Great Depression, a time when huge numbers of automobile manufacturers disappeared, and managed to sell relatively large numbers abroad is further proof of the inherent quality found in these cars. By the mid-Twenties, various advances had been made to the Single-Six and Twin-Six models, including front wheel brakes in 1924 and central chassis lubrication the following year. The Sixth Series, introduced in late 1928 as a 1929 model, featured revised styling with small opening hatches in place of louvres on the bonnet, new tail lights with a third backup light on each side. A new Packard family crest was adopted as the emblem in 1929 and straight-eights were the only engine offered that year. The Standard Eight was built on either 127.5-inch or 134.5-inch wheelbase lengths and was powered by the smoothest of motors, an L-head unit displacing 320-cid, generating 90 hp for effortless performance. Total production of the Sixth Series fell dramatically after the stock market crashed on the 28th of August, 1929 and of only a small percentage have survived the ravages of time. Packard's customers were a loyal bunch and this was reflected in their advertising slogan of the era, namely "Ask the man who owns one".