Vehicle Description
1939 Packard 1700 6 Series Touring Sedan
"By 1928, the Eights were one series behind the Sixes, so to avoid
confusion and to align the series with the calendar year, all 1929
models were numbered as Sixth Series cars, as in 640, 645, etc. The
Series number increased from this point each year by one, 740, 840,
etc. This system continued until the 9th series, when they needed
to hide the fact that they were shortening wheelbases, so for
example, the car that should have been a 945 was called a 903,
hiding its 142-1/2" wheelbase. This system continued on, skipping
the 13th Series, (bad luck, you know), with some rather long series
after World War II, until the 26th series of 1953."
Thxpackardclub.org
For consignment, a 1939 Packard 1700 6 Series touring sedan, fully
restored and showing 78,999 unverifiable miles. The touring sedan
was designed for four or more passengers and the "touring" denoted
the car's ability and design geared to long distance driving. In
this early part of the century, populations were still concentrated
in urban centers, so people engaged in touring as a way to
temporarily escape and take a ride in the "country," rural areas on
the outskirts of cities.
Exterior
This regal Packard, upright and tall, is bathed in pale yellow with
contrasting brown fenders. That brown also takes in the headlight
casing and wide running board which is otherwise covered in a black
rubber mat. A rising vertical grille is topped by the Goddess of
Speed hood ornament, a coveted piece of automotive jewelry. Louvers
span the length of the engine covers on each side, fronted by
ribbed metal trim and topped by an incredible pointed body line
that sends a gentle ripple all the way down the shoulder line,
ending just before the humped trunk in back. The 16-inch wheels
alone are photogenic, the steel wheels color keyed to the body, a
ridged polished beauty rings surrounding and matching the outer rim
of the hubcap with colored center, all wrapped in spectacular wide
white walls. A V-shaped windshield is intersected by trim while the
two windows in back are split by a body colored pillar. No glaring
defects or imperfections were found on the exterior. It's in
fantastic shape.
Interior
Brown pleated cloth on the doors is soft to the touch and based by
a carpeted panel, and this material continues on the front bench
seat that is thick, wide, and unmarred. The rear bench is
accessible via the suicide style doors and afford occupants
voluminous headspace and more than adequate legroom. A plastic
cover with finger grooves covers the steering wheel which fronts a
dashboard engulfed in plastic burl wood trim and deco-period gauges
and switchgear in a ribbed metal mid-panel, culminating with a
large, elegant clock on the passenger side. An added A/C unit is
mounted under the dashboard just above the plush brown carpet that
flows over the floor. A brown suede headliner rises cleanly
overhead.
Drivetrain
We find a clean engine bay behind the covers housing a rebuilt
245.3ci L-head inline six cylinder rated at 100 horsepower and
fueled by a 1-barrel carburetor. The 3-speed manual transmission
sends power wayward to the rear wheels where 4.09 gears are found.
Drum brakes occupy the front and rear wheels.
Undercarriage
Very nice, very clean, uniformly black and lacking surface rust and
any misplaced oil. The single exhaust is heat wrapped before it
enters a stock style muffler, then the tailpipe finds its way to
the back. Coil spring suspension is utilized up front, and leaf
springs are out back.
Drive-Ability
The L-head fired up and we quietly rolled onto the test loop with
this royal car and if you're taking a long ride out to the country
in 1939, this is the automobile for the task! Roomy, quiet, and
soft. Country roads might be the goal, but it's the journey that is
the real reward. This well sorted car performed well and all
available functions worked as they should. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
Originally from Florida, this car underwent restoration and rebuild
from 2017 to 2024, so it's a refresh that looks every bit of a
professional and recent bit of work. Packard was the standard
bearer in many ways, and this was one of just 24,350 1700's built
in 1939 and a fine representation. Will this Goddess of Speed take
residence in your garage or collection? Please let us know.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
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