1933 Packard Super Eight Model 1004 Touring
Depression-era economics devastated luxury car production, yet this period produced some of the most artistic automotive designs in history.
Packard’s 10th series managed only about 4,800 units compared to nearly 55,000 sold in 1929, making these automobiles exceptionally rare survivors of challenging times.
The Model 1004 rode on a substantial 142-inch wheelbase and offered fourteen different body styles, with touring car configurations being particularly unusual since buyers increasingly favored all-weather designs.
Under styling director Ed Macauley’s direction, these vehicles featured graceful Art Deco influences that created some of the period’s most attractive touring car designs.
Power came from a refined 6.3-liter (385 cubic inch) side-valve straight-eight engine that benefited from dual-throat carburetion (introduced for 1933), providing noticeably improved performance over previous years.
The drivetrain included a synchromesh transmission, a significant advancement for driver convenience.
Four-wheel brakes were standard on the Super Eight by this time, further improving safety and control. Only 1,327 Super Eight chassis were constructed in 1933, with 788 being the longer 142-inch wheelbase variants, underscoring the rarity of these Depression-era luxury automobiles.
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