1940 Packard Custom Super-8 One-Eighty Parisienne Victoria

This one-off Packard Seanca Parisienne offered half of a hardtop on what would normally have been a Convertible Victoria body style in the 1940 Packard Custom Series designed by Darrin. The result surely has to be one of the most elegant Packards of that era. Howard 'Dutch' Darrin was famous for unique styling adaptations such as this one, and he found that the long wheelbase Packards were most suited for his work.

This Packard 180 Darrin is one of two cars that was outfitted with a special roof treatment and given the distinctive name of Towne Coupes. The other example is lost and was apparently built for actor Donald Meek. This Towne Coupe example has an unknown original owner, even Darrin himself was unable to recall whom the car was built for. It may have been built for Hollywood actor Jack Oakie.

It is believed that the Southern California company, Coachcraft, constructed and fit the fixed roof to the two cars.

By the mid-1950s, the car was in the care of retired Army Colonel Thomas Hauss of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was given a restoration and then sold in 1962 when he returned to active duty. The car was purchased by John Stuck who would care for the car for the next 43 years. During that time, it was given several minor additions including hood-side vents and well-proportioned rear fender skirts.

In 2005, the car was donated to America's Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio where it was displayed in the main showroom until 2010 when it was deaccessioned by the museum and sold to the current owner. The car was then treated to professional mechanical and interior cosmetic work to prepare the car for its return to the road. Work was performed on the engine, transmission, brakes, and exhaust. The leather, carpets, and dash components received expert attention.

The work was completed in time for it to be displayed at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It even participated in the 60-mile Tour d'Elegance.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $500,000. As bidding came to a close, the care failed to find a buyer willing to satisfy the reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.