In summer 1923, Packard unveiled its highly anticipated “Single Eight,” powered by an all-new, inline eight-cylinder engine that would serve as the foundation for the company’s models over the next three decades. Characterized by its smooth, turbine-like power and durability, Packard’s Eight was the brainchild of Jesse Vincent’s renowned engineering department. In addition to its new powerplant, Packard also introduced four-wheel brakes in 1923 – a combination of features previously attempted only by luxury marques such as Duesenberg and Isotta Fraschini.

Packard offered its new Single Eight in two distinct models, the 136 and 143, reflecting the two wheelbase lengths. The standard-wheelbase model was available in seven different body styles, however, the long-wheelbase version was offered only as a seven-passenger Touring Car, Sedan, or Limousine.

The most attractive of the open Single Eights was the Sport Model, known by type no. 246, which retailed for $3,800. The Sport Model’s lean, four-passenger open coachwork was built by the Pullman Company, best known for manufacturing luxury railcars. In fact, Pullman produced a variety of bodies for Packard throughout the early 1920s, with records showing that 450 Sport Model bodies were built at the company’s enormous railcar works located in Chicago’s South Side. Like other open Packard Eights, Sport Models were painted in Ditzler’s Dustproof Gray with Extra Permanent Vermillion accents.
Today, precious few of these elegant Sport Model Packards are known to survive; the car presented here is believed to be the sole example remaining in well-preserved, original condition.

Reported to be a Pennsylvania car from new, this unrestored 1924 Packard 136 Sport Model’s earliest known owner is Paul M. Weiant of Allentown, the proprietor of the Economy Pretzel Co. By the mid-1960s, the Packard had been sold to amateur oil speculator and car collector Ray Hutchinson of Macungie and it subsequently passed to long-term owner Woodrow Frey of Emmaus.

Mark Smith purchased the Sport Model from Mr. Frey in 2007 and entrusted it to Steve Babinsky’s Automotive Restorations Inc. for a sympathetic mechanical recommissioning. Upon its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® in 2008, this magnificent Packard was honored with the prestigious FIVA award for the best preserved and regularly driven car. In the years since, it has made selective outings, including in 2019 at the Elegance at Hershey.

Still wearing its beautifully patinated original finishes and displaying approximately 43,000 miles when catalogued, this wonderfully racy, sleek-looking Sport Model is undeniably among the most desirable 1920s-era Packards extant.

*Please note that this Lot, like all vehicles in this Auction, has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to any road use.

Gooding & Company presents and conducts the Estate of Mark Smith Auction under the authority of John J. Rendemonti, Executor of the Estate of Mark J. Smith, duly appointed by the Circuit Court of the State of New Hampshire, Probate Division, Case Number 312-2022-ET-00072. The Estate has compiled available title and/or registration paperwork for the Vehicles offered in the Auction and will provide such paperwork to the Buyer if it is available. However, as set forth more fully in the Conditions of Sale, neither the Estate nor Gooding makes any representation or warranty with respect to any existing certificate of title or registration with regard to any Lot in the Auction. Any Lot may be sold on a Bill of Sale. By participating in this Auction, all bidders and buyers recognize that Estate and Gooding have expressly disclaimed all such warranties concerning the availability or sufficiency of any title or registration documentation.