1938 Packard 1607 Twelve Coupe Roadster

For 1938 Packard introduced their new modern designs including enclosed coachwork. There were hydraulic brakes and an independent front suspension making these some of the more refined and sophisticated cars on the market. The V12 engine rested at a 67-degree angle, displaced 473 cubic inches, and provided a hefty 175 horsepower.

Packard refined their catalog offerings with a new line of factory bodies, such as the 1607 Coupe Roadster. It had enclosed dual side mounts and a sporty two-seat design resting on a short 134.3-inch wheelbase. It retained many of the classic lines and elements of the prior Packards but brought the designs to a new level of modernization.

One of the more distinctive features of the 1938 Packard was their bold, wide-framed windshields. The early 1930s had seen a slew of thin, chrome windshield frames, but the 1938 designs broke away from that tradition with their body-color designs.

This example was sold new to the Schlitz family of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The car would remain in the family until 1977 when it was sold for the first time. Tom Crook of Seattle became the car's next caretaker. He kept it for a year before selling it to William Vaccaro in Bedminster, New Jersey. 23 years later, Vaccaro sold it back to Tom Cook. In 2004, Otis Chandler acquired the car.

Over the years the car has had minor paint touch-ups and a little engine compartment cleaning. It remains a highly original example that has an odometer reading of 74,869 miles. In November of 1988, it had 68,522 miles, and was the last year it was titled.

In 2007 it was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, Ca where it was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $275,000. Those estimates were not achieved, but the lot was still sold. Including the buyer's premium, the lot was sold for $170,500.

In 2010, this Packard 1607 was offered for sale at Gooding & Company Auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $275,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $200,750, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010