Packard Boattail Speedster

Downstream in the drivetrain, buyers got the new-for-1930 four-speed transmission, which included an extra-tall first gear that most drivers never used. With a 1:1 fourth gear, the transmission was not an overdrive unit, so Packard gave the 734 Speedster a 3.31:1 final-drive ratio to better approach that magical 100 MPH the car was built for. Famed aviator Charles Lindbergh is said to have driven the 734 prototype to a speed of 109 MPH at the Packard proving grounds in Detroit. As with the lower-compression engine, buyers could opt for the 4.07 final drive gear that most other Packards came with.