1928 Packard Custom Eight, Model 443 Packard Custom Eight, Model 443, Phaeton 43

The 1928 Packard Custom Eight Model 443 Phaeton featured here is finished in stunning two-tone periwinkle and sky blue, with accents of red and tan and a beautiful tan leather interior. This particular 443 was previously subjected to a complete documented restoration in 1970 and was sympathetically updated in 2017 and 2018. It displays a consistent patina that presents wonderfully. This Packard participated in the 2017 CCCA Arizona CARavan, successfully covering about 1,200 miles over two weekends. This includes summiting... the 7,600 ft elevation mountain pass and climbing many hills at freeway speeds. The Packard 443 is considered by most experts as being one of the important high performing classics, along with Duesenburg, Marmon and Rolls Royce. We would comfortably drive this Packard anywhere. HISTORY OF THIS 443 In late 1969, Lyle and Mary Shelley of Rockford, Illinois bought the 443 from a handyman-plumber from Jamesville, Illinois (VIN 232735). The Jamesville gentleman also owned a Packard Twelve. It was said that the seller enjoyed his libations a little too freely. The Packards early life was said to be from Lake Geneva or Geneva, Illinois. When Lyle bought the car it was all original and the engine was disassembled. It had accumulated approximate 21,000 miles. When the Shelleys acquired the 443 it was all original. In maroon and black livery, it was accented in blue. The Shelleys then took the following year to strip the car to bare metal, rebuild the engine and all systems and complete a full restoration. Included in engine rebuild was a new set of poured bearings and the crankshaft was reground. Mary did the full tan leather upholstery and tan canvas convertible top and side curtains while Lyle disassembled the car and engine. The chassis was painted in light blue. The two-tone blue paint with cream accents and orange coach stripes was applied by an up and coming young man who, shortly after completing the 443 opened up a paint shop nearby. The color combination was copied from a Packard owned by another longtime 443 phaeton owner, Bob Joynt, also from Chicagoland. The Shelleys were so smitten with the colors that they restored this car in the same stunning color combination. Shortly after completing the restoration, the Shelleys set out on a large number of Glidden Tours. They enjoyed touring in the Packard to Ottawa, Indiana and Florida. Never in the 47 years of ownership, had the 443 let them down. In addition, it had never been transported in all those years. During the Daytona Beach tour, Lyle raced the Packard on the sand and around the track. Afterwards, they participated in the Disney parade with the 443. Over the years the Packard has been used in countless weddings and parades, carrying elected officials and other dignitaries. Their son, Mark, had been involved in many of the tours and special events with the Packard. The Shelleys also collected other classics, including a 526 runabout and a 1914 Locomotive Model 48 touring. After completing several Glidden Tours with the Packard 443, they slowly became more involved with Model A and T tours. The Packard now has accumulated 43,000 original miles. Fortunately, the Shelleys brought out several photo albums of the restoration and the many tours. I made sure to take copies to preserve the early history of the 443. We now have photos from their trip in 1971 with the Packard driving on the Atlantic coast and I have photos of it being displayed at the La Jolla Concours with the Pacific Ocean in the background! OUR FUN WITH THIS 443 I had a chance to drive the Packard through the countryside of Rockford during my pre-purchase inspection. The 443 drove beautifully, with excellent oil pressure, the charging system working and the operating temperature staying appropriately rock solid. All of the lights, horn and instruments worked well, except the fluid filled gas gauge. The mighty eight cylinder engines power was smooth and the transmission was quiet and crisp. They kept the car until 2017 and it had accumulated about 41,000 original miles. We have since put about 2,000 miles on the car, including participating in the La Jolla Concours and Tour, the Arizona Concours Tour, the CCCA CARavan described earlier and many club events. This example is considered a full classic by the Classic Car Club of America; it comes lavishly appointed with dual side mount spares, an elegant folding rear tonneau windshield and more. It comes complete with the top boot, side curtains, and cover for the trunk. Hailing from a time when engineering, function and style blended perfectly, the Packard 443 Phaeton is widely considered by enthusiasts to be the pinnacle model. This example is the perfect classic to enjoy on a vintage caravan or tour and we are proud to offer it to the most astute collector, investor or enthusiast who appreciates the provenance of this classic pre-war model. HISTORY OF THE PACKARD CUSTOM EIGHT 443 PHAETON The Packard 443 model was unveiled on July 1, 1927. These new Big Eight models were still considered part of the 4th series of Packard and all rode on an imposing 143 wheelbase chassis. The Packard 443 catalog offered no less than twenty different body arrangements, ensuring that all individual tastes were well suited. While approximately 7,800 443 chassis were built for 1928, the varying bodies meant that individual production numbers were quite low, with open bodied cars being procured by the most affluent of clientele. Body style 311 was the Custom Eight 443 5-passenger Phaeton a very imposing aesthetic for the Great Depression era. The Custom Eight 443 Phaeton featured dual side mounts spares and numerous accessories including a folding luggage rack with a removable trunk as well as a rear folding tonneau windshield that could be adjusted by the rear passengers. Today, the Packard 443 Phaeton is considered to be one the marque's greatest models because it achieved a level of engineering, style and luxury that could only come from Packard. For more information, please call Harry Clark at 1.602.245.7200 or email us at .