It competed in the upper middle-class with makes like GM's Companion Brand LaSalle, Marquette and Chrysler's DeSoto, and the top-level products from Studebaker, Hudson, and Nash.

Therefore, the Light Eight was introduced during January 1932, together with the new V-12 (called "Twin Six" in its first year to honor the pioneer Packard model built from 1915 to 1923).

It had a heavy frame with X-bracing, 8-inch (203 mm) deep side members,[2] and the usual rear-wheel drive.

Power came from a 319.2 cu in (5.2 L) flat head straight eight engine with a compression ratio of 6:0, delivering 110 hp (82 kW; 112 PS).

The Light Eight was intended as Packard's price leader at the entry level of the luxury car market.

It was powered by the same 110 hp (82 kW) engine as the Standard Eight; it had a wheelbase that was only 1.75-inch (44 mm) shorter - and its lower weight brought more performance.

The Light Eight brought the experience to Packard to build and market an upper middle-class model.