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Packard's Super-8 range was divided into two series - the 1703 on a 127-inch platform and the 1705 on a larger 148-inch wheelbase - with both using the same straight-8 engine. In 1939 Packard halved the number of body styles for the Super-8 and introduced a new 356 cubic-inch engine, which was highly successful and continued on Packard's larger models until 1950. Darrin's Convertible Victoria was still an option, and this example is one of the first built on the shorter 1703 chassis in 1939. The very first of Darrin's Packard Convertible Victorias was built for movie actor Dick Powell in 1937, and the Hollywood crowd so admired the car that many of the stars of the day, including Clark Gable, Tyrone Power, Errol Flynn, Al Jolson, Ruby Keeler, and Gene Krupa, became Darrin customers.
This particular car, with its trademark aluminum cowl and 'Darrin-dip' doors were built for the cowboy actor Tom Mix of Boston. The current owner fell in love with this car when he was eight years old and then spent three decades pursuing it. He now celebrates over 20 years of ownership.
Upon opening his coachworks, Darrin of Paris, on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California in 1937, Howard 'Dutch' Darrin drew on the work he'd done in Paris with Hibbard & Darrin, late Fernandez & Darrin. He introduced sensuous European curves onto the American chassis.
Darrin favored the impeccably engineered Packard, but economic considerations prevailed. Of the hand-built 'Darrins' produced in Hollywood prior to 1940, most rode the less expensive '120' platform. Only when a client requested the exclusive 'Super-8' version was it constructed. Seen here is the second of just six 'Super-8s' built.
Darrin's team incorporated his signature low-profile hood, down-swept doors and the chromed vee'd windshield. A cast aluminum cowl was installed to strengthen the low-slung open car. The movie crowd noticed. Contemporary owners of 'Hollywood' Packard Darrins included Clark Gable and Errol Flynn.
Packard's 1939 dashboard was cast from Tenite, an early 'cellulosic thermoplastic.' Unstable, the dashes were known to crumble over time. Here, the Tenite 'mica' infused dash has been faithfully reproduced using original methods. The recollections of 'Dutch' Darrin himself, in a 1967 issue of Car Classics, dictated this 'genuine saddle quality' leather upholstery. For the exterior, original paint samples led to the selection of Packard's polychromatic Havana Beige.
This particular car, with its trademark aluminum cowl and 'Darrin-dip' doors were built for the cowboy actor Tom Mix of Boston. The current owner fell in love with this car when he was eight years old and then spent three decades pursuing it. He now celebrates over 20 years of ownership.
Upon opening his coachworks, Darrin of Paris, on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California in 1937, Howard 'Dutch' Darrin drew on the work he'd done in Paris with Hibbard & Darrin, late Fernandez & Darrin. He introduced sensuous European curves onto the American chassis.
Darrin favored the impeccably engineered Packard, but economic considerations prevailed. Of the hand-built 'Darrins' produced in Hollywood prior to 1940, most rode the less expensive '120' platform. Only when a client requested the exclusive 'Super-8' version was it constructed. Seen here is the second of just six 'Super-8s' built.
Darrin's team incorporated his signature low-profile hood, down-swept doors and the chromed vee'd windshield. A cast aluminum cowl was installed to strengthen the low-slung open car. The movie crowd noticed. Contemporary owners of 'Hollywood' Packard Darrins included Clark Gable and Errol Flynn.
Packard's 1939 dashboard was cast from Tenite, an early 'cellulosic thermoplastic.' Unstable, the dashes were known to crumble over time. Here, the Tenite 'mica' infused dash has been faithfully reproduced using original methods. The recollections of 'Dutch' Darrin himself, in a 1967 issue of Car Classics, dictated this 'genuine saddle quality' leather upholstery. For the exterior, original paint samples led to the selection of Packard's polychromatic Havana Beige.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1939 Packard 1703 Super Eight Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Packard 1703 Super Eight
(Data based on Model Year 1939 sales)
1939 Packard 1703 Super Eight Darrin Convertible Victoria Sold for USD$215,600 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1939 PACKARD SUPER EIGHT 1703 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN Chassis#: 1277-2041 Sold for USD$32,480 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction | |
1939 Packard Super Eight Touring Sedan Chassis#: 1272-3597 Sold for USD$23,650 2021 RM Sothebys : Open Roads - April 2021 | |
1939 Packard Super Eight Touring Sedan Chassis#: 12723597 Sold for USD$30,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1939 Packard Super Eight Derham Phaeton Sold for USD$165,000 2020 Mecum : Indy | |
1939 Packard Super Eight Hearse Chassis#: 1703A2003 Sold for USD$58,240 2020 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1939 Packard Super Eight Convertible Coupe Chassis#: K1590F448 Sold for USD$60,500 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Corpus Christi Old Car Museum Auction | |
1939 Packard Super 8 Sedan Sold for USD$17,050 2017 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale Az | |
1939 Packard 1703 Touring Sedan Sold for USD$30,000 2014 Mecum : Seattle | |
1939 Packard Super Eight Convertible Sedan Sold for USD$62,700 2014 Auctions America - Auburn Spring | |
1939 Packard Super Eight Convertible Coupe Sold for USD$57,750 2014 Auctions America - Auburn Spring | |
1939 PACKARD SUPER 8 4 DOOR SEDAN Chassis#: 12723597 Sold for USD$48,400 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale | |
1939 Packard Super Eight 1703 Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 12792125 Sold for USD$62,700 2012 Worldwide - The Auburn Auction | |
1939 Packard Super Eight Darrin Convertible Victoria Chassis#: 17032012 Sold for USD$186,000 2007 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona | |
1939 PACKARD 1703 4 DOOR CONVERTIBLE Sold for USD$81,400 2004 Barrett-Jackson - Palm Beach 2004 |
Packard 1703 Super Eights That Failed To Sell At Auction
1939 Packard 1703 Super Eight's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1939 Packard Super 8 Touring Sedan | 12723597 | 2024 Mecum : Glendale | $30,000 | ||
1939 Packard Super Eight Convertible | 2018 Mecum : Dallas | $60,000 | |||
1939 Packard Super Eight Convertible Coupe | 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $70,000 | |||
1939 Packard Super 8 | 2014 Collector Car Toronto Fall Classic | $40,000 |
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1939 Packard 1703 Super Eight
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