1935 Packard 1204 Super Eight

In response to the Great Depression and a slowing economy, Packard introduced the medium-priced One-Twenty model which appealed to a wider audience. The tactic worked and soon a healthy cash flow was pouring in from vehicle sales. The other line of vehicles Packard had built their reputation on was still available for sale. The Twelve was a powerful and prestigious car that carried a price tag to match. With so few individuals capable of parting with the necessary funds to purchase one of these upscale vehicles, fewer than 700 units were produced.

In between the Packard Twelve and the One-Twenty models were the Eight and Super Eight models. These two series were offered with nearly identical ranges of body styles with the primary differences being the engine and the wheelbase sizes. The Eight outsold the Super Eight by a factor of three to one, perhaps due to their indistinguishable visual differences.

For 1935, the largest Packard Super Eight model was the Model 1204. It had a wheelbase that measured 139 inches and was fitted with a larger, 384 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder engine capable of producing 150 horsepower. The streamlined styling was by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and the open-bodied cars were constructed by Murray Corporation of America, though they wore a 'Dietrich' badge. The Phaetons were Packard's only true open cars without side windows.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019