Vehicle Description
This 1935 Packard Super-Eight coupe-roadster was one of a small
number of open cars sold by Packard at the height of the Great
Depression, when the company's very minimal total sales volume of
luxury cars consisted mainly of conservative sedans, limousines,
and similar closed models. Rather than bother with making open
bodies in such small numbers, Packard contracted with famed custom
coachbuilder Dietrich Inc. to produce a few coupe-roadsters in
1935. Only 1392 Super Eight Packards in all body styles were sold
in the 1935 model year. The 1935 Packard Super Eight
coupe-roadsters shared the same bodies and dimensions as the
top-of-the-line Packard Twelve: 139-inch wheelbase and 222-inch
total length. The 385 cubic-inch (6.3 liter) straight-eight,
nine-main-bearing, engine produced 150-plus horse-power at 3200
rpm. This two passenger automobile seats two additional passengers
in the spacious rumble seat when opened. The golf bag compartment
is accessed through small doors behind the main doors on both sides
of the car. This pristine Packard is one of only seven remaining
1935 Super Eight coupe-roadsters (in various degrees of
preservation and restoration) listed in the current directories of
the Classic Car Club of America and the Packard Club. It is
finished in Packard "Centennial Blue" with gold accent lines, and
is equipped with every extra-cost option available from Packard in
1935: "Cormorant" (or "Pelican") hood ornament, whitewall tires
with chrome trim rings, side-mounted wheels with Packard metal
covers with rear-view tire mirrors and locks, "Sportlite" search
light with inside control, auxiliary front "Trippe Safety Lights",
Packard reversing light, deluxe stabilizer front bumper, bumper
guards, trunk rack, heater, working Packard radio, Packard rubber
floor mats, and Packard license plate frame. The chassis serial
number is 859244 and the engine number is 755855?C - all matching
numbers. The car was totally restored about a decade ago by Packard
specialists Hibernia Auto Restorations of New Jersey and remains in
truly excellent condition. This car has been entered in concours
judging only once since then, when it won "Best American Pre-War"
at the 2015 Americana Concours.1935 was the first year for
Packard's "New Cycle of Style", with all aspects of the body
designed as a single entity in the "Streamlined" style, with
rounded lines and pontoon rear fenders. Packard sales catalogs
boasted of "delightful new styling" and that "the company's artists
have cunningly blended the undying lines of Packard identity into a
design that is pleasingly modern." 1935 was the final year of
Packard's majestically upright radiator, which in subsequent years
angled more and more backward. Included in this offering are a
custom car cover, clear vinyl cover for the convertible top when
raised, owner's handbook, service manuals and other period service
information, Packard jack, radiator parking cap (without mascot),
and front license plate bracket. An original 34-page
prestige-edition of the 1935 Packard Super Eight color sales
catalog is also included. The current owner is well-known in
pre-war "Classic Car" circles, having served as a national
director, author, and in other national roles, in the Classic Car
Club of America, the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, and the Society of
Automotive Historians.
Bid on this car in person at the RAND Luxury Auction on October
12th.
Details: www.RANDLuxury.com
