Vehicle Description
1937 Packard Eight 120-C 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 was restored a bit ago and still holds
its luster. It is certainly still a good runner and a great looker,
the 1937 Packard 120-C sedan. Enjoy the Packard styling and looks,
all wrapped into a smaller more affordable car in this 120.
Exterior
With its tall vertical ribbed shined chrome grille, bullet style
headlights, circular turn signal housings, and single wide bar
chrome bumper with guards along with the goddess of speed hood
ornament/radiator cap leads the way on this large and expensive
looking automobile. All surfaces are bathed in deep black paint.
Chrome trimmings are all in excellent preserved shiny condition. A
long side body matching vented trimmed hood makes its way back to 4
nicely 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 and this sweeping design carries over to the humpback trunk
which has a wonderful rounded crescent rear glass just above. Small
protruding conical tail lights are on either side and just below
another wide curved bumper with a Packard badge in the center. Wide
whites wrap black painted steel wheels that have Packard badged
dish center covers and accenting trim rings appearing on all 4
corners.
Interior
A swing of the doors and all are covered nicely with a smooth
mohair which mixes with a carpeted lower section which is charcoal
gray. Shiny handles and cranks are mounted on these panels and all
presenting in a like new format. Inside, a big front bench in more
tan mohair with some tufts and buttons sit within a mohair covered
tub. In back 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 present in good
condition and seat belts have been installed. All seating floats in
a sea of charcoal gray carpeting and is capped with a tan mohair
headliner, nice and tightly preserved. Up front the original dash
in all its art deco styling and brown painted metal splendor with
embossed circular bezels framing the original black faced
instruments. In the center are several chromed knobs, some
rectangular gauges, and buttons along with the ignition switch and
ash receptacle. In front of the passenger is a round 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
wonderful dash. Just below the dash are 2 aftermarket gauges to
replace the dash ones that are non functional.
Drivetrain
Pulling upward on either side cowling reveals the patina green
painted 282ci inline 8-cylinder engine. A 2-barrel side draft
carburetor is attached, and a 3-speed manual transmission is on the
back sending power to a 4.09 geared rear axle. This is not the
original engine but is period correct and was rebuilt in 2002.
Looking nice and original with some patina and surface rust under
the long hood.
Undercarriage
A big solid X frame holds all the upper body and undercarriage
working to it, and all is looking very structurally solid with a
liberal coating of surface rust. 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 1930's Packard sedan
should. The radio did not play, the heater blower did not blow and
the gas and temperature gauges were also not working. I still drew
tons of stares and thumbs up making me feel like a movie star.
Several years have gone by since the restoration, and it is still
mechanically solid. It runs like a well-cared for car and shows no
rust in the bodywork, all looking good and solid. The interior is
comfortable and the car drives very smoothly, as one would expect
in a Packard. Cue up Billie Holiday and Tommy Dorsey, I'm gonna
step out for a night on the town. White spats and arrow collars,
high hats and lots of dollars...
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.
