1939 Packard 120 news, pictures, and information

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Darrin Convertible
Coachwork: Coachcraft
Chassis Num: B319346A

This is a truly unique and sporty car. There were only seven or eight Model 1710 Victoria Convertibles produced in 1939. Making this car a little more special, the Darrin bodies were produced by Coachcraft in Hollywood, CA, from 1937 through 1940, when their factory was moved to Connersville, IN, and the Darrin models were produced in sufficient quantities to be offered as a regular production model. Prior to the Connersville plant opening, the Darrin models were only available as a special order from 'Dutch' Darrin himself. Only about 30 Darrin-bodied Packard's were produced in Hollywood, including one built for Errol Flynn. This example has undergone several restorations, the most recent of which was completed in 1999. The previous owner drove the car daily on his visits to his golf course. This elegant but sporty convertible rides on a 127-inch wheelbase, weighs 3,545 pounds, and sold new for $1,390. It is powered by a 282 cubic-inch, inline eight-cylinder engine developing 120 horsepower.

This 1939 Packard Darrin Convertible Victoria was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell between $170,000 - $200,000. The car is finished in yellow with a burgundy leather interior.

At auction, the car found a new home for $180,900.

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Convertible Coupe

By 1939 it was apparent that the Packard 110 (six) and 120 (small eight) had saved the Packard Motor Car Company. Although the company continued to build its prestigious Twelves and Super Eights, production of the 'Junior Packards' kept the company's doors open.

The 120 series was an excellent value. Built on a 127-inch wheelbase chassis, it was powered by a Packard-built straight eight engine that developed 120 horsepower.

For approximately $1,300 the original owner of this convertible coupe got the Packard looks and Packard workmanship at a fraction of the cost of the soon-to-be-discontinued Twelve.

The Packard One-Twenty was produced from 1935 through 1937 and again from 1939 through 1941. The One-Twenty signified Packard's move into the mid-priced eight cylinder market; a highly competitive segment that was filled with many marques with numerous offerings, options and price ranges. The move had been made due to financial reasons and the need to stay competitive; the Great Depression was taking its tool on the entire automotive industry but mostly on the high priced manufactures. The lower cost marques also had a tough time but a few were still able to move a considerable amounts of products and wade out this terrible time in history.

The One-Twenty was quickly designed, created, and made ready for sale. First offered in 1935, it could be purchased in numerous body styles that included coupes, convertibles, and two- and four-door configurations. Under the hood lurked an L-Head eight cylinder engine capable of producing 110 horsepower. The price range was competitive, with prices ranging from the mid $900's to the low-$1000's. This combination of mid-cost and adorned with the Packard nameplate proved to be the right combination and in its first year nearly 25,000 examples were created. The rest of the Packard model lines only accumulated to around 7000 examples being sold.

For 1936 Packard increased the displacement of the engine and horsepower rose to 120 and gave the One-Twenty a top speed of 85 mph. A convertible four-door sedan was added to the line-up with a $1395 price tag, making it the most expensive One-Twenty body style. Sales continued to be strong and more than doubled over the prior year. This would be the best sales year for the Packard One-Twenty.

Packard introduced the Six in 1937. This was the first time in ten years that a six-cylinder engine could be found in a Packard. The reasoning was again economics and the constant struggle to stay in business by offering a quality product at a reasonable price. The Packard Six meant that the One-Twenty was to move higher up the market, being offered with more amenities and options. Two of these options were the 'C' and 'CD' trim levels. A wood-bodied station wagon and Touring Sedan were added to the line-up. A limousine body style, sitting atop a 138 inch wheelbase was also available for the first time, setting the buyer back a hefty $2000. There were 50,100 examples of all One-Twenty body styles producing during this year.

To conform to Packard's standard naming conventions, the One-Twenty was known as the Packard Eight for 1938. A year later, it was back to being called the One-Twenty. There were still a slew of body styles to choose from, able to satisfy all of their customer's desires and needs. The price range was competitive, costing from around $1100 to $1856. Though the product and the price were good, sales were slow with only 17,647 units being produced. The recession was taking its toll. Packard had even introduced many new mechanical improvements such as placing the shifter on the column rather than on the floor. For the following years, sales began to rise again, now amassing to 28,138 examples being produced. The name One-Twenty was now hyphenated.

For 1941 Packard offered the One-Twenty in eight body styles. The styling had been modified from the prior years, with the headlamps now residing in and on the fenders.

The One-Ten and One-Twenty were both dropped in 1942 and their names were merged with the Packard Six and Packard Eight lines. The One-Twenty had in production for seven years and 175,027 examples were produced.

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