By 1938, the upper-crust Packard Automobile Company had managed to survive the Great Depression, no mean feat, and was offering as many as fifteen different models. Today’s find, courtesy of Tony P., is listed as an “Opera Coupe,” or a “Club Coupe” in Packardese. The seller suggests that this Lady Lake, Florida, domiciled coupe could use some TLC, so let’s examine it and give it the once-over. Here on craigslist is where you’ll find it, and it’s available for $19,000.
This specific coupe is a member of the Eight 1601 Series, and it’s one of 22K from that series assembled in ’38; how many were Club Coupes isn’t readily accessible. This car oozes originality, and the seller states that it has been “garage kept” for 55 years. Unfortunately, the listing is light on details, so the images have to do the talkin’. The most obvious TLC need is the very prominent and recognizable grille; fortunately, it is intact but is experiencing some discoloration. Beyond that, the passenger-side running board could use some attention, but all in all, this 87-year-old coupe presents well. Both its finish and the chrome bits are still exhibiting a shine, and rust is a no-show.
I’m on the fence with the interior. It’s not well photographed, and while the blue velour upholstery is in nice shape, I question its originality as it isn’t in keeping with what’s usually found in Packards or any other car of this era. I’d also like to see an image of the rear fold-up seats – a defining element of an Opera or Club Coupe. The beautiful, chrome-enhanced dash and instrument panel, however, is right out of 1938 and still shows well. The outsized steering wheel is very representative of the tillers used in large cars before the days of power steering.
Packards were known for power, and this coupe is no exception, as it’s harboring behind that previously mentioned, distinctive grille, a 120 HP, 282 CI, in-line, flathead eight-cylinder engine. The seller, unfortunately, is mum regarding this 82 K-mile car’s running and driving attributes. The original air cleaner has been replaced with a silly-looking chrome-dome sort of a piece, but beyond that, it all looks original. The seller claims, “number-matching car,” though I can’t say I hear that term bandied about often when referencing a car from the thirties. A three-on-the-tree activated three-speed manual transmission is in charge of gear-changing responsibilities.
While we continue to debate the draw of pre-war automobiles, I’d suggest this coupe has two notable features. First, it is, afterall, a Packard, and second, the coupe styling with its small divided rear window – it is an eye catcher. Now, those two items don’t necessarily translate into a sale, but I imagine this Packard Club Coupe won’t have too much trouble finding a new home, wouldn’t you agree?
Crickets chirping, not even any EA comments from members,,,handwriting is on the wall folks, I can only assume interest for these magnificent cars will continue to diminish into the new year. I know for me, my jaw simply drops at just the sight, driving it must be out of this world,,,yet,,bupkis. It won’t take long, people will begin to realize, perhaps classic cars isn’t the investment hoopla BJ auctions makes it seem to be.
Listen to this,,,and a clearer example I can’t provide. I was watching Jeopardy, not a fan, but I like trivia, they had 3 contestants, 2 men and a woman, maybe, 30s. Now these people aren’t stupid, they are all well educated. One of the categories was something like, “Classic car names returned”, or something. NOBODY was picking the clues, finally, being the last category, they had to. One of the answers was, this iconic car in 1966 came out again in 2006? Nothing, enh, ehn, the Dodge Charger, THEN, this will frost your Kelvinator, next answer, the creator of this car in 1966 returned in 2007, AND A PICTURE OF CARROLL SHELBY,,,,nobody knew who he was! They only got one right, the Land Rover Defender. My point? Cherish it now folks, I’m not that far off.
Ah, wrong category for people in their thirties, I’m afraid. Now if the question involved data rates, battery life, or cellular networks, I expect they’d they’d be all over it. I’ve a nephew, 35 years old, who drives a Tesla and–literally– doesn’t know how to change a tire, yet he holds a Ph.D. in software engineering. Go figure.
The past will always turn to dust. It just seems to happen faster these days.
I like it.
But ill have to be satisfied with my 32 Chevy….
Mine back in the day. a ’32 Phaeton RHD. Just after it’s restoration the clutch pedal rod to the bell housing broke off and it took 3 years to find another RH side clutch rod that the pedal rotated on. No idea whether the LHD Chev had the same system. This was back in South Africa and I eventually sold the car to an Italian that was emigrating to America so it is now most likely back in it’s home country!
Beautiful car.
That model is the one I would like to have…. LHD of course…lol
I’d push back the front seat to give me more room to drive comfortably.
Beautiful car, even if only seen as such by people of my age. One bit of irony: as heavy as they are, cars of this vintage can be fixed by the owner because the technology is simple. My Subaru needs to have its tires rotated every oil change so the electric gizmo running the symmetrical all wheel drive won’t tear the drive train apart. All the safety afforded us by computer driven systems was provided by Packard and all other makes of the time by sheer strength. You were driving a tank.
I see a huge interest in prewar cars from younger (under 50) folks. If you bother to stop and talk to them when they have their phones out taking pictures they are amazed to learn they can buy a cool car for under 20 grand and maintain it themselves. There really are youngsters who can drive a stick.
Sunday drives at the museum kids would walk right by the Camaro RS convertible to ride in a Model A. We just have to pay a little attention to them.
I just saw my awful pun…”irony” and really heavy cars…oh well..
Maybe “Joey the Fish’s” ‘Sunday sports car’? At 70 I would be an honored care taker, but my 1972 XGS Buick keeps me busy. This Packard really only needs an OEM oil bath air cleaner and re-do that copper heater core supply (it work harden and crack) but otherwise for the $$$ your looking at a decent vintage driver at the very least. Also looks like a newer starter with associated wiring; a 12 volt conversion perhaps?
I should get this one to go with my 50 coupe. I’ve got spare engine and tranny that would fit it if there’s a need. Unfortunately I don’t $19K extra laying around. Like my Daddy used to say, “I want my money and my life to run out at the same time, and if I can die by noon tomorrow I’ll come out just right!”
My kids range in age from 34 to 45 and none of them would ever buy an old Packard. They love trucks and Japanese cars, because those are the vehicle that they grew up with. Unfortunately, most Packards will end up in museums and not be driven because the generation that admired them is now dead. And the actual collectors, the people trying to make money, prefer the 12 cyliinder Packards, which are more like an exotic car.
cool looking but that front seat looks out of place done in that material
The topic of the declining interest in cars like this pre-war Packard has been discussed here in the BF comments section numerous times over the last few years. As Howard points out it ain’t going to get any better. Not to be a wet blanket here on the first day of 2026; but it’s inevitable that all of we BF geezers and geezeretts will eventually have to retire our driving gloves. I have always maintained that essentially we are merely caretakers for these old machines. The older generations who bought them new or used are gone. They passed them on to us. The thirty something folks that are car aficionados aren’t wanting to acquire a 1938 Packard so they can be its caretaker. Or a 1969 Hemi Roadrunner for that matter. And that’s their prerogative. I just hope that I get to hang around long enough to see what the equivalent of the Tri Five Chevy is for these young folk.
Carbob , Your closing sentence struck a very familiar thought I’ve been having for the last couple of years,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Anyone have any thoughts on what that will be ? I have no idea ,
The Fox body Mustang.
My family had money (but I do not!), and I saw Packards all the time (my father would not drive anything else). So, a car such as this is a “normal” part of my experience. I also enjoy driving and owning cars from 1948 and earlier (far more comfortable, for one!). You sat UP behind the full-sized steering-wheel, with the pedals below you and not out in front of you. And if this were a formal sedan, I would long to have the money to own it and drive it! But, for me, you can KEEP any and every coupe ever made! And I am fine with six volts, thank you! You had the ease of running-boards and stepped up and through the door-opening, then sat down, erect, into a welcoming car: you didn’t bend your neck and duck, sink down, cramped into the seat nearly down on the ground, then have to try and figure your way to climb back out from under a door-opening that would whack you in the head — and then have to stand back up! THESE days, only a pick-up truck positions a driver properly — but the running-board is so high, you can’t get into one! And who wants the hard ride of a truck, anyhow?
“I also enjoy driving and owning cars from 1948 and earlier (far more comfortable, for one!).”
Hear, hear, Mr. Reed.
I’m not sure about the 1938 model year because this car shows a three-on-the -tree column shifter, first introduced for 1939.
Quote: “The first Packard model year for the column shifter, which was called “Handishift” or “Select Shift,” was 1939, introduced on models like the mid-priced One-Twenty and the luxury Twelve, eliminating the floor shifter allowing for a more open front bench seat and three-person seating, a trend that became standard in American cars for decades.” End Quote.
Interested parties must check the firewall-mounted identification plate.
-The 16th Series refers to all Packard models produced for the 1938 model year.
-The 17th Series refers to all Packard models produced for the 1939 model year.
What a class act – in a coupe no less !
I had my 57 GMC at a show in November and there was a 39 Grahm there. I never saw one. It had a super charged flathead 6 and was SO cool..
Hopefully someone saves this. It is beautiful. I hear exhaust manifolds for straight 8’s are getting rare? I can’t imagine.
I am not sure what the outward physical differences between the two model years were; but the tail-lamps on this one look the same as the ’39. To Arfeeto: thanks for agreeing with me! They gave up natural comfort, for a more “modern” style. Taller cars were simply more accommodating.
Thanks, Moosie for sharing your thoughts about what the younger generations will consider to be collectible and/or desirable vehicles as they become the faces of the hobby. Like you I don’t have any clear idea of what those cars might be. Hopefully other BF commenters will opine with their thoughts. I am inclined to think that people presently 30-50 years old will be driving the collector car market going forward. So will vehicles from the decades before and after the turn of the century be their focus? Currently a lot of us enjoy the cars and trucks we remember growing up and into our young adult years. As Harrison Reed points out; pre-war cars suit his preferred driving characteristics. He remembers his father’s Packards. Who knows; maybe the younger folks today will seek out mini vans and early iterations of the SUVs of their soccer mom era. What do you other readers think?
37/38 Junior Packards Make me weak in the knees. I could really see myself in one of these things and they are becoming more and more affordable. The lines of the coupe body style seem a little wonky to me, I would prefer a more popular/usable four-door sedan. Is it just me: The side mount spares just kill The visual/beautiful lines on this car. Certainly there is someone just the opposite of me that loves the coupe w/ those big ol sidemounts (very 30s!) Can’t help but wonder if the actual sale price of this car is going to be more in the 5-10k range.