1938 Packard 1605 Super Eight

This 1938 Packard Super Eight wears a Sedanca deVille body with coachwork by Barker. It rests on the Series 1605 platform measuring 139 inches, the largest of the three platforms available on the Super Eight (the others measured 127- and 134 inches). The Super Eight was powered by a 320 cubic-inch L-head, inline eight-cylinder engine delivering 130 horsepower and was backed by a three-speed manual transmission. Its suspension was a coil-spring independent setup in the front with a live axle in the back with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Stopping power was provided by hydraulic drums on all four wheels.

This car was driven by chauffeur Walter Bibby from 38 Roxborough Drive, Toronto, down the east coast to his employer's winter home in Palm Beach, Florida once a year during the late 1930s and early 1940s. After arriving his black uniform was exchanged for more appropriate attire for the Florida coast - cream linen. He then collected his employer, Harry C. Hatch, and family, at the rail station.

Mr. Hatch had the 139-inch Packard Super Eight shipped for coachwork to London coachbuilders Barker, who created the formal Sedanca deVille coachwork with the 'razor edge' roofline and 'turtledeck' rear-end styling, similar to the bodies they created for the Rolls-Royce chassis.

Around World War II, the Hatches sold the car, and in 1961 it was sold by a Toronto dealer to George and Sheila Van Nostrand, of Keswick, Ontario, who kept it for several years. In 1986 it was acquired by Ed Suddarth after several intervening owners, and he completed its restoration and displayed the car at the 1989 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, winning a class award.

In 1990, it was acquired by Richard Livoni, of Long Beach, California, who continued to show it for many years, achieving CCCA Senior number 1761 with 99 points in 1993 and numerous First Place and Best in Class awards at West Coast concours d'elegance.

A previous owner acquired it in the late 1990s, displayed it at Pebble Beach on occasion (the most recent in 2009), before selling it via RM Auctions in 2015 at their Motor City auction.

The car is finished in black paint. The interior is done in Connolly leather for the driver and soft broadcloth for the passengers. In the back are twin lighted vanities, a built-in bar, a unique power-operated rear window shade, and an intercom.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021