1942 Packard Super-8 One-Sixty

The economic turmoil of the 1930s was responsible for the demise of many of legendary luxury marques. One of the most devastated markets was the luxury car segment, as the pool of potential buyers dwindled, causing competition to rise quickly. This was true for Packard, who saw their Junior Series of cars grow in popularity while their Senior Series suffered. By the start of the 1940s, the company was under the direction of George Christopher, who continued to further distinguish the Junior and Senior series. The entry-level Packard was priced in the neighborhood of $700 while the top-of-line offerings would set the buyer back $6000. The top-of-the-line vehicles were the Super-8 One-Eighty Series with coachwork done by custom coachbuilders.

The One-Sixty featured the 'flying lady' mascot while the One-Eighty carried the cormorant. Wheelbase sizes of the One-Sixty included a 127-, 138-, and 148-inch wheelbase platform and powered by from an L-head straight-8 with a 356 cubic-inch displacement, hydraulic valve lifters, nine main bearings, and delivered 165 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. The engine was backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a single plate clutch and column-mounted gearshift controls. Hydraulic brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power.

Junior and Senior Packards had dish-shaped hubcaps and turn indicators. The One-Sixty had electric windshield wipers and an accelerator pedal starter. The One-Sixty wore Clipper styling for the club sedan and touring sedan, both similarly priced at $1,635 and $1,695, respectively. The convertible coupe, sharing the 127-inch wheelbase with the club 'Clipper' designed touring sedan and club sedan, but with traditional styling. The 138-inch and 148-inch wheelbase cars also wore traditional styling, with the 138-inch Touring Sedan priced at $1,900 and the 148-inch Touring sedan at $2,050, and the Touring Limousine at $2,175. The business sedan and business limousine also used the 148-inch wheelbase and were priced at $1,900 and $2,025, respectively.

The range-topping Super-8 One-Eighty also offered body styles on the 127-, 138-, and 148-inch platforms. Its 356 cubic-inch straight-8 produced 165 horsepower and LeBaron, Rollston, and Darrin coachwork was offered alongside the factory bodies.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007