Vehicle Description
FROM THE MISSOULA AUTO MUSEUM COLLECTION: Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Introduced during September 1939, Packard's Seventeenth Series models returned along the Six, Eight, Super Eight, and Twelve model lines. The biggest changes for 1939 were within the Super Eight series, comprising the 1703 and 1705 models. The number of available Super Eight body styles was reduced for 1939 from 15 to just six, including four on the 127-inch wheelbase length and two on the 148-inch wheelbase chassis. The custom models were now eliminated. As with the "Junior" Packard models, the Super Eight was now offered with a steering column-mounted gearshift lever and overdrive was made available. Cylinder heads on the top straight eight engine were now cast-iron for durability, and both the compression and rear-axle ratios were updated for added refinement.
Of note, 1939's Seventeenth Series models would mark the last year for the Super Eight's highly regarded 320 cubic-inch engine, which developed 130 brake horsepower at 3,200 engine revolutions in remarkable silence. In concert with the Super Eight engine was a three-speed manual transmission with full synchromesh for ease of operation, and options including a hill-holder mechanism and even a tachometer. Priced from $1,650, the 1939 Packard Super Eights were available with body styles including a 2/4-Passenger Club Coupe, 2/4-Passenger Convertible Coupe, 5-Passenger Touring Sedan, 5-Passenger Convertible Sedan, and the custom 5/8-Passenger Touring Limousine and 5/8-Passenger Touring Sedan - both on the 148-inch wheelbase chassis. Just 3,962 examples of the Super Eight were produced in all for the Seventeenth Series.
Offered from the Missoula Auto Museum Collection without reserve, this recently restored 1939 Packard Super Eight Sedan is offered in nice driver quality with an attractive paint finish, Tan cloth interior, wood grain interior trim, side mounted spare, factory hub caps, and wide whitewall tires. As offered, it is quite attractive and delivers a compelling opportunity to enjoy classic-car ownership with 8-cylinder power, plenty of interior space, and renowned Packard quality.
