For Sale: 1938 Packard Super 8 160 in Auburn, Indiana

• Thoughtfully updated and modified Custom Packard for extended touring • 500-cubic-inch Cadillac V-8 with 4bbl carbs • Modified drivetrain and automatic transmission • Air-conditioning and heat • Stylish body style with divider glass • Dual spotlights and dual enclosed side-mounted spares Always built to the highest standards, the Packard was unquestionably one of the finest American cars of the prewar era and deservedly popular on this side of the Atlantic. The Packard ranked alongside the world's top luxury makes and was a frequent sight at the most exclusive society functions of its era, being favored by film stars, celebrities and plutocrats. First introduced in 1924, the Eight was notable as the first Packard to employ four-wheel brakes. Its side-valve straight-eight engine developed 85bhp from 358 cubic inches, and the Eight lineup initially comprised ten models on two wheelbase lengths. In 1927, the engine was enlarged to 384-cid and a smaller 319-cid Standard Eight was introduced for 1929, the larger engine continuing to power the Custom and DeLuxe Eights. The latter was renamed 'Super Eight' for 1933, by which time all Packards featured synchromesh transmission. Introduced for the 1935 season, the 'One Twenty' (120) Eight, also known as the 'Junior Packard', represented the company's first foray into the medium-priced market sector. Engine improvements were introduced year by year, the big news for 1937 being the introduction of the 320-cid engine on the larger Eight together with independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes. Although Packard kept genuine phaetons-four-door open cars without side windows-in production through 1936, by then the convertible sedan had fairly well taken over the four-door open car market. Up until 1930, the convertible sedan had been catalogued as an "Individual Custom" that had been designed and built by the likes of Brewster or Dietrich. In 1931, it became a production style in the Standard Eight line and could be ordered, but it never appeared in the literature. For 1932, it was added to the Deluxe Eight and the new Twin Six lines. The design was from Dietrich, but Raymond Dietrich himself had moved on, and his small coachbuilding business was operating in the factory of Murray Body Corporation, which built most of Packard's production models. The convertible sedan was the most expensive car in its respective series, and it continued to mature over the years. Until 1935, the rear doors opened in "suicide," rear-hinged fashion, in contrast to the phaetons, which hinged on the B-pillar. Chassis refinements tracked those in other styles of the Senior series, including independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes in 1937 and a vee'd windshield in 1938. Apart from catalogue customs from Brunn and Rollston, the Dietrich-designed convertible sedan was the most expensive eight-cylinder Packard, with a price of $3,970. This impressive Packard has been upgraded from its original straight-eight engine to a 500-cubic-inch V-8 Cadillac engine with automatic transmission. The Cadillac 500 engine is known for its power and massive torque, as well as its smoothness and reliability, making it the perfect choice to move this large automobile down the highway in a fashion Packard engineers back in 1938 could only dream of. Furthering its drivability, this Packard is equipped with an air-conditioning system, making this the ultimate long-distance tour car if desired. Luxury features include a leather driver's seat with original-style cloth upholstery in the rear and a divider glass. Dual side-mounted spare tires and spotlights add to the charm of this Packard. At a glance, this Packard appears as original and unmodified. The interior is restored to largely original standards as well. Only when looking under the hood, or stepping on the gas, does it become known that there is plenty of power to go with its classic style, making it as fun to drive as it is to look at.