Vehicle Description
1940 Packard 120 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 has been well preserved and repaired
as necessary in the form of a 1940 120 Packard Touring sedan. From
the straight 8 under the hood to the overall solid body,
upholstery, headliner, glass and surrounding moldings, it's all
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, turn signal housings, double guard bumper additions,
and a standard hood ornament leads the way on this clean and
expensive looking automobile. All surfaces are very nicely
preserved bathed in Blackhawk Gray Metallic paint or chromed with a
fairly shiny finish, and all is good. A few slight areas of
overzealous painting with some touch up, minor cracks in the paint,
and a small area on the rocker and fender lowers show with some
bubbling, but overall the paint is good. 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 humpback
trunk design which had a wonderful split rounded rear glass just
above. Thin oval tail lights are on either side and just below
another fine curved bumper with a black Packard scripted badge in
the center. Like new 6.50-16 blackwalls wrap black steel wheels
that have a nicely preserved dish centerappearing on all 4
corners.
Interior
A swing of the doors and all are covered with a taupe/gray
broadcloth which mixes some horizontalstitching throughout the
panel. These panels show some age wear and moth damage but retain
their shiny handles and cranks with nicely aged bakelite knobs.
Inside, a big front bench with a smooth gray broadcloth slipcover
shows little to no wear and in back another bench with stitched and
tucked and rolled taupe cloth. However this one offers up curved
overstuffed armrests and plenty of rear legroom for the rear
passengers to stretch out. All seating floats upon a sea of ribbed
black rubber matting, and is capped with a tan mohair headliner,
nice and tightly preserved. Up front the original dash in all its
art deco styling and woodgrain covered metal splendor with ribbed
horizontal trimmings frames the instruments. In the center is an
ashtray and several more bakelite knobs and buttons. In front of
the passenger is a round hole where a clock was once 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 cowlreveals the restored green
painted 282ci inline 8-cylinder engine. A 2-barrel side draft
carburetor is attached to the side and a 3-speed manual
transmission is on the back. This combination sends power rearward
to a 4.09 geared rear axle. This is the original drivetrain that
came with the car right from the factory. Looking nice and clean
with some patina under the long hood.
Undercarriage
A big solid X frame holds all the upper body and undercarriage
workings to it, and all is looking very structurally solid with a
nice smattering of surface rust and patina. Independent coil sprung
front suspension with drum brakes are seen, and on back leaf
springs with more drum brakes are strapped on. A stock style single
piped exhaust is on for the exhale and we're ready to drive this
beauty.
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. We noted that the right turn signals did not function
butthe car can cruise at highway speeds easily and comfortably.
Years have gone by since the Packard Automobile Company closed its
doors but this example of the craftsmanship and quality lives on
and still shines and shows nicely. It runs like a well-cared for
car and shows a minute amount of slight rust in a few spots, but
otherwise looking great. The interior is comfortable and the car
drives very smoothly. As one would expect in a Packard....ask the
man who owns one!
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.
