1940 Packard Custom Super-8 One-Eighty Convertible Victoria

Howard 'Dutch' Darrin began to build one-off convertible Packards for private owners in the late 1930s, in his Hollywood, California, shop. Darrin bodies were recognizable for the 'Darrin Dip,' a scoop in the front door, and rakish, low-slung bodies. Treasured by the Hollywood elite, Packard added to its marketing catalogs several Darrin designs, including the Convertible Victoria on this 1806 example, featuring Packard's 127-inch wheelbase and 356 cubic-inch Super Eight engine.

The car is the first Darrin built in 1940 - serial number 001. It was intended to be the Paris Show car, but those plans were canceled when Paris fell to the Germans. Instead, it was sent around the United States to various Dealerships to promote the new line. In the 1940s, after being sold to MGM Studios, the car appeared in the movie 'Blowing Wind' with Barbara Stanwyck, Anthony Quinn, and Gary Cooper, where it was driven quite hard. Ms. Stanwiyck was involved in a minor fender bender while driving the car, causing minor damage to a front fender.

The next owner was an Iceskater, and then Norm Knight, who performed a cosmetic restoration.

The previous owner restored the car to its original factory color of maroon with a tan interior and top. This car also maintains its original body, drivetrain, and engine.

Packard built 73,794 automobiles in 1940, but only 1,900 were the venerated 180 models, and fewer still were graced with the Darrin Convertible Victoria coachwork.

Howard 'Dutch' Darrin produced a number of custom-bodied Packards for Hollywood clientele, eventually leading to his designs being included in Packard's 1940 catalogue. His designs featured rakish lines and cut-down doors with the signature 'Darrin dip.' Darrin's body styles included in the 1940 Packard catalogue included a Sports Sedan, Convertible Sedan, and Convertible Victoria. It is believed that fewer than 50 examples of the One-Eighty Convertible Victoria were produced in 1940.

After the 1940 model year, Packard streamlined production by eliminating Darrin-designed features, including 'suicide' doors and the addition of vestigial running boards.

This 1940 Packard Custom Super Eight One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin was the first completed. It is believed that Packard intended to exhibit the car at European motor shows, including the Paris Auto Salon. The outbreak of World War II hindered those plans and the Packard remained stateside. Instead, it performed promotional duty at American dealerships.

This Packard was later sold to MGM Studios and appeared in the 1953 film Blowing Wild, starring Gary Cooper, Anthony Quinn, and Barbara Stanwyck. The Packard was later sold to Orrin Markhus of California and remained in his care until the early 1960s when it was sold to Norm Knight. Tom Crook became the car's next owner, followed by the stewardship of John Klein from 1992 to 2006. Rob Hilaridies of Lindsay, California, was its next caretaker and drove the Darrin 2,166 miles from Klein's Indianapolis, Indiana, home to California along historic Route 66.

After entering the care of its current owner, the car was given an overhaul by Manns Restoration of Festus, Missouri.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023