Car Spot: 1929 Packard Boattail Thompson Speedster Special

One of One

Every time I visit my buddy Darrel Burnett who runs the Automobile Gallery of Green Bay I am amazed at the unique vehicles he finds and the history behind them. This last time was no exception because he has a Glasscock 1929 Packard Boattail Thompson Speedster Special. Darrell tells me that it has been the topic of speculation and fascination for the past half-century. Since a lone photograph appeared in a 1981 issue of Cars & Parts magazine, there have only been single-digit sightings and very little evidence supporting that this special Speedster still existed.

Some sources, he said, would have you believe this special Speedster was destroyed years ago, still others make misinformed assertions that the car was a figment of someone’s imagination and was never produced at all. The mastermind behind this build was the imaginative mind of Lieutenant John Raglan Glasscock Jr., the successful thrill-seeking son of wealthy California U.S. Congressman John R. Glasscock. The 44-year-old Lt. Glasscock had the dream and, more importantly, the means to construct a one-off sports car variation of the legendary and rare Packard 626 Speedster.

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E.J. Thompson Coachworks custom-built the car and delivered it to Lt. Glasscock via the D.E. McDaneld Packard Dealership in Pasadena, CA. Much of the history of this car remains covert and sketchy at best but there is one irrefutable fact. Lt. Glasscock had his Boattail Speedster built for one purpose and one purpose only – to drive wickedly fast on public roads! At first sight, the motoring press labeled this sleek vessel “The Sensational Custom Speedster”! Visually, the feather-light body flows like a rhythmic river over a frame of steel and style tapering to an exclamation point at its iconic boattail backend.

Aerodynamics are evident with cigar-shaped sheet metal surrounded by fenders perfectly mated to the tires. Custom-crafted headlights speak to the individuality of this 50-gallon drum of adrenalin. In the performance department, this Boattail Speedster puts the “Roar in the Roaring 20s! Packard traded its traditional twin-six 12-cylinder engine for a Straight 8 with a twin-throat carburetor, finned exhaust manifold, and a high-compression cylinder head that pumps up the horsepower to an astonishing 145 HP producing speeds far north of 100 mph.

Decades ago, savvy collector Carl Schneider acted on instinct and jumped at the opportunity to purchase this priceless Packard. For the past half-century, it has remained out of public view in the Schneider family collection, with his son Mark Schneider now its protector of provenance.

So what’s it worth now? Well, the better question is what are you willing to pay for it since it’s so rare. I found ones that were close to it. Jay Leno has one. I’ve always said that everything is for sale at the right price but good luck at getting someone to part with this rarity.

Thanks for stopping by and reading about this week’s spot. Come back next Friday for another unusual car I’ve found on my travels. Have a great weekend.