1942 Packard Eight Convertible Coupe

As the Great Depression crippled the economy and the number of affluent buyers became smaller, many independent luxury car producers went out of business. Packard diversified the portfolio by adding a mid-priced car in 1935 and many credit this as saving the company. Packard's 1942 models had been totally revamped with 'Clipper' styling on all models except the Eight Series 2021 convertible coupe. It had a wheelbase that measured 127 inches while the other body styles rested on a 120-inch platform and had Clipper styling. Power was from a 282 cubic-inch straight-eight engine delivering 125 horsepower. The convertible coupes had a power-operated top controlled by a single dash-mounted button and was priced at $1,575.

Though production for 1942 was shortened due to the onset of war, Packard produced 960 examples of the 2021 Convertible Coupe, with only 21 examples having survived in modern times. This example was bought for storage charges after being discovered in 1969 in a Detroit garage when it had been left by a departing airman who never returned. The restoration was completed in 1995.