1939 Packard 1700 Six Convertible Coupe

The Packard One-Twenty was a lower-priced eight that was added to the product line in 1935. It was so successful that it convinced Packard management that a range of models in the mid-priced market would help provide essential financial stability during the Great Depression. The One-Twenty had sold at three-and-a-half times the volume of 'senior' Packards, the Eights, Super Eights, and Twelves, in its introductory year.

The Packard Six was introduced in September of 1936 as a 1937 model. In 1938, and in 1939 the Six displaced the One-Twenty as the most popular Packard and it outsold all other Packards combined. New features that were year were a column-mounted 'Handi-shift,' replacing the floor-mounted gear lever, and heavier rear springs.

This particular Packard Series 1700 Six Convertible Coupe was bought new in 1939 as an anniversary present. It was sold new in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The original owner sold it only when she had to give up driving. While it was briefly in the possession of a private collector, the niece of the original owner bought it back, feeling it was best to keep it in one family. It was later sold to the current owner because of a lack of garage space.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2016