1929 Packard Custom Eight Dual Cowl Phaeton
Long hoods and sweeping fenders distinguished the Sixth Series models introduced in August 1928, marking a significant year for Detroit’s premier luxury marque. The Model 640 Custom Eight rode a commanding 140-inch wheelbase, while the 645 Deluxe Eight extended to 145 inches.
Both shared a 385 cubic inch inline-eight producing 105 horsepower through a three-speed manual transmission, with seven main bearings and rigid one-piece cylinder block construction delivering legendary smoothness.
Raymond Dietrich and his design team created harmonious proportions across nine available body styles for the 640 Custom Eight, from formal limousines to sporting open models.
Large round headlights (a one-year-only design for 1929), bright cowl moldings, and contrasting color panels along the beltline characterized the styling. Production totaled approximately 9,810 examples of the 640 Custom Eight.
The Dual Cowl Phaeton offered wind protection for rear passengers via a second cowl panel with its own windshield, representing the ultimate in open touring comfort during the final year of the Roaring Twenties.
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