Lot 8056: 1934 Packard Super Eight 1104

The 1934 Packard Super Eight represents a pivotal moment in automotive history. As part of Packard’s Eleventh Series, these cars were produced from August 1933 through August 1934 during the depths of the Great Depression. Packard, like other luxury manufacturers, saw sales plummet catastrophically - dropping from over 50,000 units in 1928 to fewer than 7,000 total vehicles in 1934.

The Super Eight was Packard’s larger eight-cylinder luxury model, positioned above the Standard Eight and sharing some components with the prestigious Packard Twelve. Available in three wheelbase lengths (1103, 1104, and 1105), the Super Eight featured a 319 cubic inch L-head straight-eight engine that contemporary owners praised for its remarkable smoothness and refinement.

In 1934, Packard produced only 1,920 Super Eights across all body styles - making these cars quite rare today. The model was offered in 28 different body configurations, from formal limousines to sporting open cars like the desirable Coupe Roadster. The 1934 models are particularly significant as they represent the final year of what enthusiasts call the ‘100 percent Senior Packards’ - cars built without compromise before market pressures forced Packard to introduce less expensive ‘Junior’ models in 1935.

These Eleventh Series cars helped keep Packard afloat during the Depression and are now considered among the most desirable of the classic era, embodying both technical excellence and timeless style from a pivotal moment in American automotive history.