Vehicle Description
1941 Packard 120 1901 Touring Sedan
Packard was never known for taking risks, and that's part of the
marque's appeal today. The 120, which was smaller and less
expensive than the senior Packard cars, was roughly equivalent to a
Buick, yet offered big car styling that's instantly recognizable.
The tall grille with the Packard ridge at the top, long hood, and
tasteful rounded bodywork all successfully blurred the lines
between the 120 and its big brothers. The 120 was the car that
saved Packard from the ravages of the Great Depression, and it
turns out that they're some of the best-driving Packard's of
all.
For consignment, a car which hasbeen owned by our consignor since
1951 in the form of a 1940 120 Packard 1901 Touring sedan. This
includes a newly installed clutch, redone valves and having never
been in an accident. Packard styling and looks, wrapped into a
smaller more affordable car in this 120.
Exterior
With its tall vertical ribbed chromed grille, bullet style
headlights and turn signal housings, fog lights, and triple bar
bumper addition, the Goddess of Speed hood ornament leads the way
on this patined but expensive looking automobile. While the finish
shows as weathered itremains preserved bathed in black paint or
chromed. A few slight areas of overzealous painting, cracks in the
paint, some primer showing through, as well as a few small areas on
the rockers with some bubbling. For the chrome we note tarnish,
some rusting, and a few dimples, but nothing to detract from the
overall ambiance this car exudes. A long side chrome vented trimmed
hood makes its way back to 4 beautifully aligned doors with a
common latch pillar that float above the running boards which are
attached by front and rear bulbous and curved fenders. In keeping
with the lines, all the windows are rounded as is the slant back
trunk design which had a wonderful oval rear glass just above. Tall
and thin tail lights are on either side and just below another fine
curved bumper with a black Packard scripted badge in the center.
Wide whites wrap black steel wheels that have a nicely preserved
dish center and trim rings attached at the edges are appearing on
all 4 corners.
Interior
A swing of the doors and all are covered with a vertical ribbed
broadcloth which mixes with an upper panel of applique and a lower
panel of brown carpet. Shiny handles and cranks are mounted on
these panels and they all have nicely aged bakelite knobs but the
panels themselves show with water staining, tears and rips. Inside,
a big front bench wears tan/gray thin striped broadcloth for
inserts and shows heavy wear and staining on the driver's upper
cushion. In back is another bench matching the front, however, this
one offers up curved overstuffed armrests and plenty of rear
legroom for the rear passengers to stretch out. All seating floats
in a sea of heavily worn and tattered carpet, and is capped with a
tan headliner, torn and sagging but original. Up front, the
original dash in all its art deco styling and brown faux wood
painted metal splendor with ribbed bezels and cracked and worn
horizontal trimmings frames the instruments. In the center is an
opening for the original radio and a waterfall of cream bakelite
for the speaker cover, and several more bakelite knobs and buttons.
In front of the passenger is a rectangular clock sitting within the
glovebox door. A heater box is noted below the dash, and the
original steering column and large wheel is fronting the beautiful
dash.
Drivetrain
Pulling upward on either side of the cowl, reveals the unrestored
and surfaced rusted 282ci inline 8-cylinder engine. Our consignor
notes that the valves have been redone in this mill. A 1-barrel
downdraft carburetor is attached to the side, and a 3-speed manual
transmission with a new clutch is on the back. This is the original
drivetrain that came with the car right from the factory. Looking
nice with a healthy dose of patina under the hood.
Undercarriage
A big solid heavily rusted X frame holds all the upper body and
undercarriage working to it, and all is looking very structurally
solid but with a dose of surface rust on nearly every component.
Independent coil sprung front suspension with drum brakes are seen,
and on back leaf springs with more drum brakes are strapped on.
Drive-Ability
This quasi luxury car, (although just like its larger kin, is
beautifully appointed just not as large!), started right up and
accelerated, stopped, and handled nicely as a 1940's Packard sedan
should. Note the fog lights did not work and the clock did not keep
time. The car can cruise at highway speeds easily and
comfortably.
A known history dating back to 1951 when this car was a mere 10
years old.. It runs like a well-cared for car and shows with an
aged finish that is matching on the interior which is very
comfortable and the car drives very smoothly. As one would expect
in a Packard. Allow the Goddess of Speed to lead the way!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
