Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1938 Packard 1601 Eight Navigation
The Sixteenth Series Packard models were introduced in September of 1937. Most of the changes were cosmetic, including more rounded fenders and 'vee'd' windshields on many of the bodies. Sales for 1938 reached 48,682 units, which was less than the prior year's model.
One of the most memorable designs bestowed upon the Packard chassis was those of Howard 'Dutch' Darrin. He began with a standard Eight Business Coupe and gave it a rakish body and sweeping cut-down curves of the doors - known as the 'Darrin Dip.' The Darrin became part of the catalog for 1940 with three models: Sport Sedan, Convertible Sedan, and Convertible Victoria. Nearly 100 were built through 1942 when production was halted prior to World War II.
This example is the second Darrin convertible produced. It is believed that it was built for the actor Clark Gable. The car had an ash frame with an aluminum cowl and many hand-fashioned trim pieces. The car is unique in that the length of the hood is stretched to within a one-half inch of the door opening, the only one of the series built that way.
Gable kept the car for only a short time. The next owner was a lady in Texas.
This car wears an older restoration and is fitted with many unique hand-fashioned parts. It has a black exterior, maroon leather interior and a tan canvas top.
The 282 cubic-inch inline L-head 8-cylinder engine produces 120 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes with vacuum booster.
In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $300,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $269,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010
One of the most memorable designs bestowed upon the Packard chassis was those of Howard 'Dutch' Darrin. He began with a standard Eight Business Coupe and gave it a rakish body and sweeping cut-down curves of the doors - known as the 'Darrin Dip.' The Darrin became part of the catalog for 1940 with three models: Sport Sedan, Convertible Sedan, and Convertible Victoria. Nearly 100 were built through 1942 when production was halted prior to World War II.
This example is the second Darrin convertible produced. It is believed that it was built for the actor Clark Gable. The car had an ash frame with an aluminum cowl and many hand-fashioned trim pieces. The car is unique in that the length of the hood is stretched to within a one-half inch of the door opening, the only one of the series built that way.
Gable kept the car for only a short time. The next owner was a lady in Texas.
This car wears an older restoration and is fitted with many unique hand-fashioned parts. It has a black exterior, maroon leather interior and a tan canvas top.
The 282 cubic-inch inline L-head 8-cylinder engine produces 120 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes with vacuum booster.
In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $300,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $269,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010
2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $225,000-USD $300,000
Sale Price :
USD $269,500
2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia
Sale Price :
USD $282,000
1938 Packard 1601 Eight Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Packard 1601 Eight
(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 Packard 1601 Convertible Sedan Chassis#: nv315315 Sold for USD$66,000 2025 Mecum : Glendale | |
1938 PACKARD EIGHT ONE-TWENTY CONVERTIBLE VICTORIA Chassis#: A320460B Sold for USD$128,800 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Packard Eight All-Weather Brougham Chassis#: A310934A Sold for USD$50,400 2021 Worldwide Auctioneers : The 14th Annual Auburn Auction | |
1938 Packard Eight Convertible Coupe Sold for USD$48,400 2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, Fall | |
1938 Packard Eight Convertible Sedan Sold for USD$8,250 2019 Mecum : Chicago | |
1938 Packard Eight Convertible Coupe Sold for USD$33,000 2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1938 Packard Eight Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 11993217 Sold for USD$33,000 2019 Auburn Spring : RM Auctions | |
1938 Packard 8 Sedan Sold for USD$24,750 2017 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale Az | |
1938 PACKARD 1601 4-DOOR TOURING SEDAN Chassis#: 119216074 Sold for USD$29,700 2016 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1938 Packard Eight Convertible Sedan Sold for USD$65,250 2016 RM Sotheby's : Hershey | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Packard One-Twenty Straight Eight Chassis#: 482547 Sold for USD$24,276 2015 Barons Auction : Annual Yuletide Classic | |
1938 Packard Eight Cabriolet by Graber Chassis#: 1601-2039 Sold for USD$1,760,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection | |
1938 Packard Eight Brewster Limousine Sold for USD$40,000 2015 Mecum - Rogers'Classic Car Museum 2015 | |
1938 Packard Eight cabriolet Sold for USD$33,944 2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars | |
1938 Packard Eight All-Weather Panel Brougham Sold for USD$77,000 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Packard Eight Series 1601 Club Coupé Chassis#: B312824A Sold for USD$18,495 2012 Aalholm Automobile Collection | |
1938 Packard Eight Convertible Victoria Chassis#: A309389 Sold for USD$269,500 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Packard Eight Convertible Sedan Chassis#: A313050 Sold for USD$60,500 2010 RM Auctions - Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook | |
1938 Packard 1601 Eight Sedan Chassis#: 424761 Sold for USD$29,430 2009 Shannons Auctions - 2009 Shannons Classic Vehicle Auction at MotorEx | |
1938 Packard Eight Convertible Victoria Chassis#: A309389 Sold for USD$282,000 2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia | ![]() ![]() |
Packard 1601 Eights That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 Packard 1601 Eight's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 PACKARD 120 CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE | WA98253883 | 2022 BarrettJackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |||
1938 Packard Eight Touring Sedan | 2018 Mecum : Kansas City | $24,000 | |||
1938 Packard 120 | 2016 Carlisle Auctions : Lakeland Winter Auction | ||||
1938 PACKARD EIGHT CONVERTIBLE COUPE | 2011 Auctions America Spring Auburn | $80,000 | |||
1938 PACKARD EIGHT CONVERTIBLE COUPE | 2011 Auctions America Fort Lauderdale | $72,500 | |||
1938 Packard Darrin Convertible | 2010 Bonhams Greenwich Concours d'EleganceCollectors' Motorcars | $225,000 | $275,000 | ||
1938 PACKARD MODEL 1601 FOUR DOOR SEDAN | 2002 Kruse Auction Tulsa, OK | $8,000 | |||
1938 PACKARD MODEL 8 TOURING SEDAN | 2001 Kruse Auction Tulsa, OK | $30,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $145,645 range.
1970 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 Chassis#:13471 Sold for $145,600 2025 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
1960 Porsche 356 B Roadster Chassis#:87690 Sold for $145,600 2025 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
1909 Pierce-Arrow Model 36-UU Runabout Chassis#:UU149 Sold for $145,600 2025 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1938 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe Chassis#:H46290 Sold for $145,600 2025 Broad Arrow Auctions : Academy of Art University Collection | ![]() ![]() |
1970 Citroën DS 21 Décapotable Chassis#:00FB1892 Sold for $145,621 2025 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1967 Volkswagen Type 2 '21-Window' De Luxe Sunroof Microbus Chassis#:257052732 Sold for $145,600 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction | |
1955 Jaguar XK 140 MC 3.4 Roadster Chassis#:S 811267 Sold for $145,600 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction | |
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Chassis#:3087s118775 Sold for $145,750 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1999 Shelby Series 1 Convertible Chassis#:5cxsa1813xl000037 Sold for $145,750 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
2023 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 70TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Chassis#:1G1YF2D31P5700309 Sold for $145,200 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:AZ398557 Sold for $145,200 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:F58L193461 Sold for $145,200 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1998 FERRARI 550 MARANELLO Chassis#:ZFFZR49AXW0112802 Sold for $145,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall | |
1972 CHEVROLET K5 BLAZER CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:CKS182S140776 Sold for $145,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall | |
1934 Packard 1104 Super Eight Coupe Roadster Chassis#:759-129 Sold for $145,750 2024 RM Sothebys : Hershey | ![]() ![]() |
2004 Porsche 996.2 GT2 Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99Z4S695076 Sold for $146,721 2024 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-litre 'Flat Floor' Roadster Chassis#:875247 Sold for $146,721 2024 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 Coupe Chassis#:WP0AC2A86GK192311 Sold for $145,600 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction | |
1983 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL 'AMG' Chassis#:WDB10704612003569 Sold for $145,600 2024 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1905 Clement-Bayard 4 Cylinder 20/24HP Touring Car Chassis#:5451 Sold for $145,600 2024 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Packard 1601 Eight
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Packard 1601 Eight model years