Packard – Standard Eight 11th Series (1934)

Packard delivered this Standard Eight originating from the eleventh series to the Maharaja of Nawalgarh in 1934. Its powerful 5.2 litre inline eight-cylinder engine delivered a magisterial 120 hp, and the brakes already offered adjustable servo assistance. Although this example is cloaked in a standard body from Dietrich, the automobile has been graced with some exceptional equipment. This includes special disc wheels and a folding windscreen, akin to the factory standard installed by Packard in earlier models. The highly polished engine bonnet was a popular extra fitted to ex- port cars supplied to India. This was one of the few parts that had to be remanufactured as part of the restoration.

As a young man, the current owner discovered the Packard on a neighbour’s land with an American diplomat back in 1977 and immediately fell in love with it. When exporting the classic car from India to the USA was permanently forbidden, this loyal fan had to wait for 30 years until he was able to take possession of the vehicle. He is familiar with all the details of its storied history, for example the fact that actor Kirk Douglas once rode in it on a film shoot. His Packard was even once misused for drug smuggling.