1942 Packard Eight

The 1942 production model year was brief, as the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th of 1941 was followed by civilian production soon coming to an end as factories were prepared to support the war effort. For Packard, production ceased on February 9th of 1942 when the company instituted an impromptu program to re-work the factory to build war munitions. During the war, Packard built its V-12 marine engine for the Navy's PT boats and would build the Merlin engine under license from Rolls-Royce. Prior to the shutdown of automobile production, Packard built 27,961 vehicles for the calendar year.

Most of the bodies wore the new Clipper styling, while others continued to wear the traditional Packard styling. Packard's lineup included the Packard Six equipped with a 245 cubic-inch inline-6 with 105 horsepower, and the Packard Eight with a 282 CID inline-8 with 125 hp. The 'Senior' Packard models included the Super 8 One-Sixty and the Super-8 One-Eighty both employing a 356 cubic-inch inline-8 with 165 horsepower and backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission.

Packard Six models had wheelbase sizes of 120-, 122-, and 133-inches. The Packard Eight had 120- and 127-inch wheelbase platforms and the Senior Packards had 127-, 138- and 148-inch wheelbase sizes.

The 1942 Packard Eight, formerly the One-Twenty with the Series 2001 'Special' using the 120-inch wheelbase and offered as a business coupe, club sedan, and touring sedan priced at $1,300, $1,340, and $1,375 respectively. The Series 2011 'Custom' also used the 120-inch wheelbase and was offered as a club sedan priced at $1,400 and the touring sedan at $1,445. The Series 2021 convertible coupe wore traditional One-Twenty styling on the 127-inch wheelbase, while the other body styles had 'Clipper' styling.

The L-head straight-8 engine had a cast-iron block, adjustable valve lifters, five main bearings, a 6.85:1 compression ratio, and 125 horsepower. Hydraulic brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power. Optional equipment included air conditioning, turn signals, a heater, a radio, and a vacuum radio antenna.

The 1942 Packard Eight was the most popular Packard model with 19,199 examples built. 11,325 were Packard Six models, 2,480 were Packard One-Sixty, and 672 were the One-Eighty.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

As the Great Depression crippled the economy and the number of affluent buyers became smaller, many independent luxury car producers went out of business. Packard diversified the portfolio by adding a mid-priced car in 1935 and many credit this as saving the company. Packard's 1942 models had been totally revamped with 'Clipper' styling on all models except the Eight Series 2021 convertible coupe. It had a wheelbase that measured 127 inches while the other body styles rested on a 120-inch platform and had Clipper styling. Power was from a 282 cubic-inch straight-eight engine delivering 125 horsepower. The convertible coupes had a power-operated top controlled by a single dash-mounted button and was priced at $1,575.

Though production for 1942 was shortened due to the onset of war, Packard produced 960 examples of the 2021 Convertible Coupe, with only 21 examples having survived in modern times. This example was bought for storage charges after being discovered in 1969 in a Detroit garage when it had been left by a departing airman who never returned. The restoration was completed in 1995.

Convertible Coupe

The current owner acquired this car in 2008. It was dark green, but underneath that green was military green, as it has a government serial number.

This Packard was built in November of 1941. Packard ended the production of the 1942 model year on February 7, 1942, because of the war. The new price of this Packard was $1,578. The car weighed 3,585 pounds.

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 1599-2972

The Packard One-Twenty Series came to an end in 1941 and a year later, Packard began to introduce the 'Clipper' nomenclature and styling for its 'Junior' series cars. It rode on its predecessor's 120-inch wheelbase and for 1942 (Twentieth Series) was newly christened Six and Eight. The most expensive of these 'Junior' Series was the Eight Convertible Coupe which retained the classic pre-war Packard styling and was priced at nearly $1,600. It is believed that 972 examples of the Eight Convertible Coupe were built by Packard in 1942.

The 282 cubic-inch, inline, eight-cylinder engine is paired with a synchromesh, three-speed manual transmission with four-wheel hydraulic brakes providing the stopping power. This particular example is finished in a classic black paint scheme with an oxblood leather interior. It has the 'Goddess of Speed' radiator mascot, dual side-mounted spares, wide whitewall tires with factory wheel covers, optional dual spotlights, a radio, and an optional clock.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring Sedan

This 1942 Packard Super Eight Clipper was acquired by the current owner's family in1 977 from whom is believed to be the original owner of the automobile. Since acquired, this car has been garage kept. The car has all original interior and mechanical components, as well as some original paint. Driven by the family patriarch through the 1980s and 1990s, it was his favorite car to drive of all the vehicles he owned. According to him, Packard was the pinnacle of American Luxury automobiles. This car has lasted through generations of the current owner's family and will continue to be enjoyed and loved for many more to come.

The Packard Motor Company relied on making luxurious cars that were highly refined, fitted with luxurious coachwork, and powered by proven engineering. This belief had placed them among the elite in the auto industry during the early 1900s. As the world entered the Great Depression, the Packard Company was one of the few that managed to survive. In fact, they outsold all of their competitors combined. They had entered the Depression in excellent financial health and they emerged with strong financial footing. But the post-Depression era had them worried, as the number of potential buyers had dwindled as fortunes were lost. Production had dropped nearly half each year when compared with the previous, from 1929 to 1933. In response to the decline, Packard continued to make improvements each year.

In 1932, Packard introduced their Ninth Series. It featured many improvements that helped segregate it from other automakers in the industry. Improvements included a revised steering geometry which made steering smooth and easy. Braking was equally as easy thanks to the new driver-adjustable power-assisted braking system. The shifting action and clutch were improved making driving a very enjoyable activity. The driver's workload was eased even further with the spark advance and automatic choke.

By making these changes they attracted a growing segment of buyers and drivers - women.

The 1933 Packard's were called the Tenth Series cars as the company still refused to adopt the convention of the model year system which called for new cars to be introduced in September or October to coincide with the auto show schedules. The following year, they reluctantly joined with other manufacturers which resulted in a short run for the tenth series, lasting just seven months. The new Packard model line was introduced in the fall. Because of the seven-month production lifespan of the Tenth Series, very few were produced making them very rare in modern times.

The Tenth Series were given a new X-braced frame, dual coil ignition, and downdraft carburetors. The styling was updated with skirted fenders and a 'V'-shaped radiator shell. The interior featured upgraded trim and a new aircraft-inspired dash.

Packard continued to offer three chassis, the Eight, Super Eight, and the Twelve. The Super Eight and Twelve both rested on a wheelbase that measured 142 inches and had a hood that was nearly six inches longer than the Eight. The fenders were longer as well.

The bodies on the Twelve's and Super Eight were interchangeable, with the Super Eight featuring an eight-cylinder engine while the Twelve featured a twelve-cylinder engine. During this time, Packard also produced the Eight, which had a smaller wheelbase size and an eight-cylinder engine. The Super Eight and Twelve differed by interior appointments and engine size. The bodies were constructed of wood and steel.

In 1936 Packard was producing their Fourteenth Series as the number thirteen had been skipped. It is believed that thirteen was not used due to superstitious reasons. The Fourteenth Series was the last year for Bijur lubrication, ride control, a semi-elliptic suspension, mechanical brakes, heavy vibration dampening bumpers, and the 384.4 cubic-inch straight-eight engine. It was also the last year for the option of wire or wood wheels.

In 1936 the fourteenth series received a new radiator which was installed at a five-degree angle. The Super 8 had a new sloped grille with chrome vertical bars which gave the vehicle a unique look and served as thermostatically controlled shutters that opened or closed based on engine heat. The headlight trim, fender styling, and hood vents saw minor changes. A new Delco-Remy ignition system was the new update for 1936 under the bonnet.

For 1936 there were a total of 1,492 Super Eights constructed.

by Dan Vaughan