1931 Packard 840 DeLuxe 8 Roadster
Engine: Side Valve Straight 8
Displacement: 385 Cubic Inches
Horsepower: 120 BHP
Cost New: $3,490
         In 1930, Packard was the prestige marquee in America. Justly renowned for the smooth power of its eight-cylinder engines, the stately ride of its quality chassis and the uniform excellence of its materials and workmanship. Owning a Packard was a statement of success. More than that, it was a tangible reward, recognition in comfort, quiet performance, style and luxury that met the Packard owner's standards on a daily basis. Packard's successful advertising campaign, "Ask the man who owns one" acknowledged, not only for Packard owners, but also for the larger world that Packard owners were trendsetters whose opinions mattered.
         The financial crisis of the Stock Market Crash hurt the luxury car market. Packard sales fell off from 28,386 in 1930 to 12,922 in 1931, eventually dropping to a low of 6,245 in 1934. With no other options, Packard had to offer steep discounts on its previous generation cars still not sold, even offering updating kits to make the older cars look like the new models.
         1931 was the last year of the true roadster with the 8 Series, having no roll-up windows, with only 154 of these cars produced.