1940 Packard Custom Super-8 One-Eighty Convertible Victoria

The Classic Car Club of America recognizes fine and unusual motor cars built between 1925 and 1948 as Full Classics. They are distinguished by fine design, high engineering standards, and superior workmanship. The Classic era epitomizes the transition from the early cars characterized by the relatively boxy designs of the 1920s to the beautiful, flowing designs of the forties.

Packard began life as the Ohio Automobile Company in Warren, Ohio, and produced their first car in 1899. The name changed to Packard Motor Car Company in 1902 and they relocated to Detroit in 1903. By the beginning of the Classic Era, it was the premier luxury marque in America.

Packard entered the Classic era with a new straight eight replacing its early V12. This milestone engine used a unique crankshaft design and firing order that balanced the reciprocating forces and eliminated vibration. It was lighter than the V12, produced more power, and had better fuel economy. The inline configuration was compatible with the 'long hood' design themes that would be characteristic of the Classic era.

This example was originally sold by the famous Earle C. Anthony Packard dealership in Los Angeles, CA, to an owner in Colombia. The car was brought back to the United States in 1969 and has been treated to a full restoration, just completed in 2015. It is number 29 of 44 Darrin Packard 180 two-door models built, of which only 32 exist today.