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The Dietrich label was typically reserved for custom, full-bodied, and specially ordered cars from Packard. By this time, Packard was doing most of its coachwork in-house. This beautiful Dietrich Convertible Sedan is both big and sleek. The coachwork is typical of Dietrich. This essentially left Lincoln, Cadillac, and Packard as the only survivors of the sinking luxury car market.
Styling changes were evident on the Packard Super Eight for 1938. Fenders were pontoon-style and the windshield featured a split-vee. Sales of the Super Eight and Twelve remained low, however, compared to the popular (and more affordable) sixes and small eights.
Seventeen different body styles were available on the Super Eight chassis, including this convertible sedan, which was built on a 139-inch wheelbase chassis. Power was supplied by Packard's 320 cubic-inch inline eight that developed 130 horsepower.
The year 1938 was nearing the end of the line for the older 8-cylinder engine, with a new design coming out shortly. This model, with its eight and its Dietrich styling, was a very practical car for its time.
This Sixteenth Series Model 1605 5-passenger Convertible Sedan was the most expensive in the Packard line and was purchased new by a doctor from New Jersey at the Longacre Square Packard dealership on Broadway in New York City to be the family's summer car on the Jersey Shore.
One day the doctor hit another vehicle, probably a truck, doing minor damage, particularly to the front fenders. He was a tinkerer and tried to fix it himself but gave up after removing the radiator shell and fenders. The car sat for years in that condition in his garage. Shortly after he passed away, the garage burned but the car was saved when firefighters yanked it out of the garage by the back bumper. It then sat outside for a few more years, right where the firefighters had left it. When the doctor's wife passed, the estate was settled and the Packard was hastily put back together and sold.
This car has a Dietrich-designed factory Packard body and is powered by a 320 cubic-inch, 130 horsepower, inline 8-cylinder engine mated to a three-speed synchromesh transmission.
The car passed through a few hands over the years but was left in its disassembled condition. The current owner acquired the car in that rather sad shape and had it restored at LaVine Restoration in Nappanee, Indiana, returning it to its former glory.
Styling changes were evident on the Packard Super Eight for 1938. Fenders were pontoon-style and the windshield featured a split-vee. Sales of the Super Eight and Twelve remained low, however, compared to the popular (and more affordable) sixes and small eights.
Seventeen different body styles were available on the Super Eight chassis, including this convertible sedan, which was built on a 139-inch wheelbase chassis. Power was supplied by Packard's 320 cubic-inch inline eight that developed 130 horsepower.
The year 1938 was nearing the end of the line for the older 8-cylinder engine, with a new design coming out shortly. This model, with its eight and its Dietrich styling, was a very practical car for its time.
This Sixteenth Series Model 1605 5-passenger Convertible Sedan was the most expensive in the Packard line and was purchased new by a doctor from New Jersey at the Longacre Square Packard dealership on Broadway in New York City to be the family's summer car on the Jersey Shore.
One day the doctor hit another vehicle, probably a truck, doing minor damage, particularly to the front fenders. He was a tinkerer and tried to fix it himself but gave up after removing the radiator shell and fenders. The car sat for years in that condition in his garage. Shortly after he passed away, the garage burned but the car was saved when firefighters yanked it out of the garage by the back bumper. It then sat outside for a few more years, right where the firefighters had left it. When the doctor's wife passed, the estate was settled and the Packard was hastily put back together and sold.
This car has a Dietrich-designed factory Packard body and is powered by a 320 cubic-inch, 130 horsepower, inline 8-cylinder engine mated to a three-speed synchromesh transmission.
The car passed through a few hands over the years but was left in its disassembled condition. The current owner acquired the car in that rather sad shape and had it restored at LaVine Restoration in Nappanee, Indiana, returning it to its former glory.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1938 Packard 1605 Super Eight Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Packard 1605 Super Eight
(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 PACKARD SUPER EIGHT 1605 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN Chassis#: 410-892 Sold for USD$134,400 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1938 Packard 1605 Super 8 Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 11432009 Sold for USD$103,040 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Enthusiast Auction | |
1938 Packard 1605 Super Eight Touring Sedan Chassis#: 502148 Sold for USD$50,400 2021 Worldwide Auctioneers : The 14th Annual Auburn Auction | |
1938 Packard Super Eight Sedanca deVille by Barker Chassis#: A500689 Sold for USD$220,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Motor City Auction | |
1938 Packard Super Eight Convertible Sedan Sold for USD$137,500 2014 Motor City Auction by RM Auctions | |
1938 PACKARD 1605 CONVERTIBLE Sold for USD$60,000 2001 Kruse Auction - Auburn, IN |
Packard 1605 Super Eights That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 Packard 1605 Super Eight's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 PACKARD SUPER 8 | 11432041 | 2018 GpK Auctions Atlantic City | |||
1938 PACKARD 1605 CONVERTIBLE | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $56,000 | |||
1938 PACKARD 1605 CONVERTIBLE | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $57,000 | |||
1938 PACKARD 1605 FOUR DOOR SEDAN | 2001 Kruse Auction Denver, CO | $28,000 |
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1938 Packard 1605 Super Eight
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1938 Packard 1605 Super Eight Vehicle Profiles
Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: DietrichConvertible Sedan
Coachwork: Bohman & SchwartzConvertible Sedan
Coachwork: DietrichConvertible Sedan
Coachwork: DietrichConvertible Sedan
Coachwork: DietrichChassis #: A500689
Engine #: 396128
Engine #: 396128