1941 Packard Super-8 One-Eighty

Sold for $225,500 at 2012 RM-Automobiles of Arizona.
Sold for $1,056,000 at 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey.
After settling in Hollywood, Howard 'Dutch' Darrin quickly established himself as the purveyor of custom coachwork to the stars. His well-cultivated French accent, polo-playing skills, and coachbuilding talents fit in perfectly with the movie crowd. In 1937, he fashioned a two-passenger Ford Roadster for his first client, Dick Powell. Shortly thereafter, he built a two-seat convertible victoria roadster on a 1937 Packard One Twenty chassis for actor Chester Morris. This inspired the idea of building a five-passenger version and selling Packard on the idea of including it as part of its lineup. Although he was initially turned down, his persistence paid off, with his coachwork eventually becoming part of the Packard catalog. Darrin arranged to have the car parked outside the Packard Proving Grounds at the time of the annual dealer's meeting. After pressure from its dealers, Packard added the Darrin to its 1940 catalog as a Sport Sedan, Convertible Sedan, and Convertible Victoria. The signature styling feature of the Darrin-built Packard was the sweeping cut-down curves of the doors known as the 'Darrin Dip.'

Packard built nearly one hundred examples of the 'Darrin' through 1942 when World War II halted production.

This particular example was given a complete cosmetic restoration finished in 2020. The engine was removed and rebuilt with additional major mechanical work performed sometime after 1997.

This Packard has its correct Packard AM radio, which has been modified for AM/FM reception.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2021