Packard’s handsome “Senior” Eights of the 1931 Eighth Series offered 20 percent more horsepower than the previous year, thanks to more efficient breathing and carburetion, as well as fully automatic Bijur chassis lubrication and a Stewart-Warner mechanical fuel pump.

Two lengths of chassis were offered, the 840 and 845.

The 840 offered here is the very desirable five-passenger phaeton, a fleet open design begging for summer touring.

While the vehicle number plate on the firewall is a reproduction, it identifies the car as having been originally sold by the Hon, Smithson, and Raymond dealership in Chicago.

In the 1970s it was reportedly acquired from Packard enthusiast Dr.

Harley Deere by his fellow Long Beach, California resident, Bob Vitz, who commissioned the well-known Bob Mosier to complete a full restoration.

Mr.

Mosier later recounted that the body was very straight and solid, and all correct materials were used throughout, including the properly grained leather upholstery...