Early 1920s Packard hood ornament. Photo by Kurt Ernst.
Among the featured marques at this year’s ninth annual Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance will be Packard. Since 1899, we’ve all been “asking the man who owns one” about their Packards and this year’s Concours will give you the chance to see examples of this historic independent spanning several eras and body styles. In honor of that occasion, we’ve decided to go through our archives to round up a number of Packards that have peppered the pages of Hemmings over the years. Though no longer available, they give a good idea of what certain Packards sold for over the years.
If you own a Packard and have any interest in showing it in our Concours, contact Matt Litwin (mlitwin@hemmings.com) and send him some pictures, or visit our Concours event page for more information. The Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance will take place September 25-27 at the Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs, New York.
1908 Model 30 - HMN, November 1975
Seller’s Description: “1908 Packard Raceabout, Model 30. Two bucket seats, front and mother-in-law seat rear. Restored, $35,000.” ($152,700 adjusted).
The 1908 Packards featured a longer wheelbase and larger wheels. It was very popular as the entire production run had sold out by May of that year. The runabout and touring had a factory price of $4,200 and you’ll often see a 1908 Packard pop up from time to time. A touring surfaced at RM in Amelia Island in 2011 and sold for $165,000.
1916 Camp Car
We featured this one in a previous post. http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2015/01/06/from-the-archives-1916-packard-camp-car/. The car was owned by Henry B. Joy, former President of the Packard Motor Car Company.
1920 Roadster Runabout - HMN, June 1975
Seller’s Description: “Two seater sports Roadster Runabout. All nickel grill-shell, lights and hardware. Original 19,000 miles. Runs faster than she looks, but needs love and a home. Asking $14,500 or trade for Rolls Royce.” ($63,300 adjusted).
The year 1920 marked the end of Packard’s 3-25 and it was becoming apparent the Twin Six was becoming too expensive to build as well as sell. The runabout for 1920 would sell for $5,500 but would see a decrease in price to $3,850 by 1923. The lack of sales was due to a number of factors including the recession that followed WWI. Packard would release their more economical single six a year later in 1921 and discontinue the Twin Six in 1923.
1925 Runabout - HMN, December 1977
Seller’s Description: “6-cylinder runabout roadster. 1st place AACA Senior Winner.” $35,000.” ($135,500 adjusted).
Part of the Single Six or Six models as they became known as in 1925 and 1926. Generous legroom was afforded with 26-1/4” between the front seat cushion and dash. Upholstered in leather and at 41” wide, the interior comforts were a selling point in a lot of Packard literature. Engineering changes included Bijur lubrication and Skinner Oil Rectifier.
1926 Roadster - HMN, December 1974
Seller’s Description: “6-cylinder, older restoration, original nickel, lady and spotlight, new Lesters, complete engine, restoration, runs like new, just a beautiful original car before restoration. $12,900. ($61,500 adjusted).
Another Six, the engine was bored out to provide an increase in output to 60hp and the factory price was an affordable $2,750 for the sport roadster. Packard would go with straight 8s across their entire line in 1929.
1929 Roadster - HMN, March 1975
Seller’s Description: “Turns heads of all ages. Used in national TV specials. Enormously practical. 160 hp with overhead Toronado jeep engine with overdrive. Can be restored to original and authentic engine with minimal expense. 24 mpg. Drive anywhere. Trouble free. Needs cosmetics, loving care and attention. A fine investment and bargain at $17,500. Might consider partial trade for 4-door limo.” ($76,500 adjusted).
It would be interesting to know what TV specials this was featured in, and why its engine was changed.
1931 Model 826 Sedan - HMN, February 1975
Seller’s Description: “Original car. Runs great. Drive it as is or restore at your leisure. Best offer over $4,250 takes this wonderful auto.” ($20,000 adjusted)
The Standard Eight for 1931 saw an increase in output to 100hp. The 5-passenger sedans were the most modestly priced Packards, offered for $2,385. They were only available in this one body style and a little over 6,000 were produced. If you see one today, expect it to be valued at around $20,000 for an average example and $30,000 for one in mint condition.
1932 902 Coupe Roadster - HMN, August 1975
Seller’s Description: “Brand new ground-up professional restoration just completed in June. 22 coats hand-rubbed midnight blue lacquer. Class winner at Silverado Concours d’Elegance in June 1975. Absolute 100 pt. show winner. Desirable factory appointments include: high-compression engine, 4-speed transmission, twin Pilot Rays, mint original owner’s manual and more. Everything works and is either perfect original or reproduced to exact original specs. 3,000 hours and $40,000 cash invested adds up to a real bargain price of $45,000 for this showpiece classic roadster.” ($196,500 adjusted).
A part of Packard’s ninth series Standard Eights, the 902 was available in 12 body-styles in 1932. A lot of engineering refinements were introduced including a boost in horsepower and a new frame with x-bracing. The dimensions were longer and lower helping to increase the car’s performance. The coupe roadster was available starting at $2,650 and a recent sale at Auctions America saw one sell for $187,000.
1934 Senior Series - HMN, November 1976
Seller’s Description: “Divider Window, low mileage. Been in storage many years. Used by FDR at Summer home in Maine.” (No price listed)
This was a part of the “Cars of the Stars” fall auction back in 1976 at the Movieworld Museum in Buena Park, California. Model year 1934 saw new bumpers with slotting to make it appear there were two bumpers and a lot of technological changes including a more powerful generator to allow for the use of radio. The 1934 Packards are quite expensive, with most pulling at least low 6-figures. The tie-in to FDR could only add to this car’s value.
1935 Super 8 Phaeton - HMN, November 1975
Seller’s Description: “Super 8 phaeton with custom body by Dietrich. 32,000 miles from new. Has had a frame-up restoration. Previously used by Roosevelt in the city of Los Angeles, $45,000.” ($196,500 adjusted).
Packard was the first automobile to carry a President to his inauguration, specifically Warren G. Harding in 1921. Apparently the Packard was a staple of FDR’s, as this is the second one we’ve featured that he’d allegedly used. The Super 8 was brought up to 150hp and the phaeton was available for a factory price of $3,390. Production was down over 500 units for the entire Super 8 line in 1935 causing these cars to be increasingly scarce and expensive. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to see a top example pull in over $200,000.
1936 One-Twenty Convertible Sedan - HMN, February 1975
Seller’s Description: “Dietrich body. Excellent original leather, engine rebuilt and detailed. This is a fine original car that runs like new, $8,995.” ($39,000 adjusted).
The 120 was Packard’s foray into the more affordable market segment. Introduced a year earlier, the 120 helped keep Packard afloat with 25,000 models sold in ’35 and 55,000 in ’36. By comparison, only a little over 6,000 Senior models were made in 1936. The design changes to the 1936 120 included the removal of the suicide doors and introduction of the new Convertible Sedan, which, priced from $1,395, was the most extravagant of the 120s.
1939 Super Eight Coupe - HMN, February 1978
Seller’s Description: “Super 8 Opera Coupe, Full CCCA Classic, 49,000 original miles. Excellent both cosmetically and mechanically. A very impressive classic.
The 1939 model year was the last one for the Super Eight’s 130hp engine. It was a borderline Senior car at this point, only offering 10 more horsepower than the One Twenty. Only six body styles were available this year and the coupe was priced from $1,650. You’ll see them around today with typical average pricing around $35,000, with the best examples commanding $65,000.
1941 One-Twenty Convertible - HMN, August 1975
Seller’s Description: “1941 Packard 120 convertible with the original 45,000 miles. It is truly an elegant original car. The only thing new is the convertible top, carpets and 5 Denman whitewalls. This car has to be one of the outstanding original cars in the country. $12,500.” ($54,500 adjusted).
The One-Twenty continued to soldier on and among the available body styles was the convertible coupe. Headlights were now nestled in the fenders and the 120 had become a mid-tier option as Packard had introduced six-cylinder models in 1937 and the One-Ten in 1940. Starting at $1,407, the 1941 One-Twenty can be found for around $40,000 for typical examples, while stand-outs can reach $70,000 or more.
1941-’42 Clipper Army Staff Car - HMN, Unknown Issue
The Packard Clipper was introduced in 1941 and was quite a departure from its predecessors. Hindsight being 20-20, you’d be hard pressed to find a worse time to introduce a new car model than 1941, but the Clipper did survive in one form or another until 1957. An army staff car sold for $41,800 at Worldwide Auctions in 2014. If we find this Clipper in our old magazines, we’ll be sure to post an update.
1949 Packard Station Sedan - HMN, December 1973
Seller’s Description: “1949 Packard Wood Station Wagon. Low production, rust free Colorado car. Good wood, paint, very good chrome, exceptional uph. R&H, overdrive, power antenna, Cormorant. $2,775.” ($14,600 adjusted).
Produced only from 1948-’50, the station sedan was Packard dipping its toe into the station wagon market segment. Part of the Standard Eight series, the wood panels were attached to the steel doors to give the appearance of the more popular woodies of the time, with only the back tailgate being made of all wood. The sub-frames were also metal as opposed to the other woodies which were wood compartments mounted on the chassis. They can bring in a fairly hefty price tag if they are in good condition. RM sold a 1950 for $82,500 on March 2014 at Amelia Island.
1951 Model 250 Convertible - HMN, June 1973
Seller’s Description: “Very nice original car with VG original leather. $1,195.” ($5,200 adjusted).
Packard’s styling changed radically after 1950 in an attempt to modernize the look, the bulky bathtub designs were scrapped for lower hoods, smaller and slimmer fenders and a more tooth-like grille. The only convertible available in 1951, the 250 used a 327 straight 8. The convertible is the rarest and most valuable of the 1951 Packards fetching as much as $60,000.
1953 Packard Mayfair Hardtop – HMN, December 1973
Seller’s Description: “Hardtop, p.s., p.b., Ultramatic, original black lacquer finish, maroon interior. Runs well, drive anywhere. $1,200.” ($6,300 adjusted).
The Mayfair hardtop was saw a production run of only 5,150 cars in 1953. It was the first hardtop Packard made and it was introduced in 1951 to give Packard a presence in the hardtop market segment. Mayfair’s run was short-lived as 1953 was the last year for this hardtop. Today they range anywhere from $10,000-$20,000 in value.
1953 Packard Patrician 400 Sedan – HMN, June 1977
Seller’s Description: “A beautiful one owner car with low mileage. Mint condition, 3-speed with overdrive, must see and drive to appreciate. $4,500.” ($17,500 adjusted).
The Patrician was Packard’s highest trim level in 1953 and it had also been introduced in 1951. In addition to the 7,456 sedans built, they also had a formal sedan which was built on the Patrician platform with the same style trim, with only 25 built. The typical Patrician sedan will go for anywhere between $12,000-$22,000 today.
1956 Packard Caribbean
Here’s a pair of 1956 Caribbeans that were shown in a previous post. Introduced in 1953, 1956 was the final year for the Caribbean model. Pricey and limited in availability at the time, the Caribbean remains very popular today with the 1955 and 1956 convertibles the rarest of them all.
1958 Packard Hawk – HMN, September 1974
Seller’s Description: “53,000 miles, supercharged, very good condition, one of the few good originals around, very tight, sharp and sporty. Runs excellent. $2,250.” ($10,700 adjusted).
The Packard Hawk, or Packardbaker Hawk, was the final gasp from Packard. The design pretty much took the Studebaker Hawk and gave it cute fish lips up front. The supercharged 289 V-8 (rated at 275hp) and the genuine leather interior were all included in the $4,000 price tag. The Hawk has garnered a cult following over the years and has seen some wild action at auctions, selling for as much as $88,000 at a 2013 RM Auction.
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