Mature beauty: A unique Packard Eight from 1929 in Germany

Why do even people who don’t have a driving license often admire prewar cars? Well, there are lots of reasons, but one is obvious: Prewar cars don’t have anything in common with today's mostly dull vehicles which are congesting the motorways in almost every part of the world. 
I remember my first trip from Germany to Italy as a schoolboy in the 1980s. After crossing the Alps you felt you were entering a different world. Suddenly, you were surrounded by agile Alfas, little Fiats and Innocentis, and of course distinctive Lancias whose drivers were determined to go as fast as possible as long as possible, no matter how difficult the roads or how feeble and fully-occupied their cars were.

“Tempi passati” – gone are the days. Apart from the usual Fiat Cinquecento (the genuine thing, of course) in a secluded mountain village, you’ll just come across the same usual suspects on Italian roads like anywhere else in Europe: Audis, BMWs, Hyundais, Mercedes’, Peugeots, Toyotas, VWs etc.

Against this background, the infinite world of prewar cars appears like a paradise lost. Never again has there been such a fascinating variety of marques and models, technical designs and bodywork.

That’s why old-motor addicts need to pay a visit to the truly worthwhile classic car events every year, in order to keep their peace of mind. On the European continent, there is one such event that truly stands out in this regard – the "Classic Days" at the magnificent moated castle “Schloss Dyck” in the lower Rhine area in Germany.

At prewarcar.com we already posted an enthusiastic report of the Classic Days 2017. There is not much to add, maybe apart from a review of a very special Packard Eight from 1929 with body by Raymond Dietrich which catched my eye. 
I was just able to make a few snapshots of the car in question at its arrival on the castle grounds. And I must admit, I have rarely encountered a prewar car which overwhelmed me by its sheer beauty and originality like this one did. It has survived in unrestored (meaning “unmolested”) condition in the U.S.A. until 2016 when it was acquired by its current German owners who seem to appreciate its unique original appearance. Just look at the faded original paint, the tiny missing chips behind the radiator, the slightly discoloured top – and you’ll notice that almost 90 years of gentle maturing have left their traces on this car without impairing the sheer beauty of this stunning touring car.
This result cannot be replicated or reconstructed or “restored” – this is the original state everyone is dreaming of who has an understanding of what “authentic” really means.

Of course, “better-than-new” advocates and "replica afficionados” will disagree, but in my opinion a truly original early motorcar deserves an owner who views himself as a temporary steward of something which is worth to be preserved for the future just as it is, as long as it’s complete and running. And to me this Packard Eight is the perfect epitome of this idea.

By the way, if anyone can tell more about the origin and history of this breathtaking tourer which won the FIVA Preservation Award at the event, I am sure, prewarcar readers would love to know it.

Words and photos by Michael Schlenger