Luxury at Speed on Highway 1
1930 Packard 745 Roadster by LeBaron just south of Carmel, Calif. It was reportedly originally delivered to John Shibe, a wealthy Philadelphia sporting goods manufacturer, son of the inventor of the automated machine used to stitch baseballs, and part-owner of that city’s Athletics baseball team. Oral history suggests that it was given by Shibe to Cornelius McGillicuddy, a.k.a. Connie Mack, also a part owner of the Athletics and their manager for decades, and that at one point an original registration in McGillicuddy’s name was found in the car.
In the mid-1950s the Packard was acquired from a Philadelphia-area salvage yard by a farmer by the name of Dallet. It was reportedly stored outdoors at his farm under a lean-to in the cow pasture and there remained until the mid-1980s, when it was sold by Dallet’s heirs to Mark Smith of Virginia. Photographs of the car as-found, show that, while well-weathered throughout, it remained largely intact aside from some trim and damage to the fenders, which the family cattle had frequently leaned against over the years!
In many ways Packard’s Seventh Series models of 1930 represent some of the company’s finest offerings. At the top of the line was the 745 Deluxe Eight, riding on the longest available 145 ½-inch-wheelbase chassis, and propelled by a straight eight-cylinder engine that ran on seven main bearings while producing 105 brake horsepower and massive amounts of torque—perfect for smooth, quiet cruises through the countryside.
This opulent chassis could be had with a wide array of coachwork, 11 styles in all, with among the most desirable being the two-passenger Roadster. The Roadster on the 745 platform created an open sporting car of remarkable proportions, with an exceptionally long hood and relatively small passenger compartment; it looked the part of a powerful, expensive gentleman’s automobile, and it was. Because these machines were so incredibly costly, relatively few were produced, and recall that
a 1930 Ford roadster cost $385....
sooooo, for the cost of 12 Fords, you could have this beauty! And right at the beginning of the Great Depression when most couldn't afford even the Ford.
Luxury at Speed on Highway 1
1930 Packard 745 Roadster by LeBaron just south of Carmel, Calif. It was reportedly originally delivered to John Shibe, a wealthy Philadelphia sporting goods manufacturer, son of the inventor of the automated machine used to stitch baseballs, and part-owner of that city’s Athletics baseball team. Oral history suggests that it was given by Shibe to Cornelius McGillicuddy, a.k.a. Connie Mack, also a part owner of the Athletics and their manager for decades, and that at one point an original registration in McGillicuddy’s name was found in the car.
In the mid-1950s the Packard was acquired from a Philadelphia-area salvage yard by a farmer by the name of Dallet. It was reportedly stored outdoors at his farm under a lean-to in the cow pasture and there remained until the mid-1980s, when it was sold by Dallet’s heirs to Mark Smith of Virginia. Photographs of the car as-found, show that, while well-weathered throughout, it remained largely intact aside from some trim and damage to the fenders, which the family cattle had frequently leaned against over the years!
In many ways Packard’s Seventh Series models of 1930 represent some of the company’s finest offerings. At the top of the line was the 745 Deluxe Eight, riding on the longest available 145 ½-inch-wheelbase chassis, and propelled by a straight eight-cylinder engine that ran on seven main bearings while producing 105 brake horsepower and massive amounts of torque—perfect for smooth, quiet cruises through the countryside.
This opulent chassis could be had with a wide array of coachwork, 11 styles in all, with among the most desirable being the two-passenger Roadster. The Roadster on the 745 platform created an open sporting car of remarkable proportions, with an exceptionally long hood and relatively small passenger compartment; it looked the part of a powerful, expensive gentleman’s automobile, and it was. Because these machines were so incredibly costly, relatively few were produced, and recall that
a 1930 Ford roadster cost $385....
sooooo, for the cost of 12 Fords, you could have this beauty! And right at the beginning of the Great Depression when most couldn't afford even the Ford.