One of the greatest losses in the American automobile market is the eventual disappearance of Packard as an automaker. Up until the time that the company fell into the clutches of Studebaker, its products were always a notch above everyone else’s. A case in point would be this 1937 Packard 1507 rumble seat coupe for sale on eBay in West Hartford, Connecticut. This elegant and powerful Packard boasts a 473 cubic inch V-12 engine and is one of likely 45 made in this body style. It is currently being advertised for $184,000 or best offer with just one day left in the ad. Is this the full CCCA classic you need to tour with this summer?
While we often lament the lack of history provided for the vehicles we feature, that is not the case for this gorgeous Packard. We are told that this is chassis #1038214 and is likely one of fewer than 45 examples equipped with two-passenger coupe coachwork. It is equipped with a rumble seat, Trippe lights, a radio, and a deluxe heater with a defroster. This car was sold to a gentleman named William Fenn. Mr. Fenn worked as a contractor for DuPont and lived in Wilmington, Delaware at the time. In 1939, the car passed to Frank Ewing. Mr. Ewing was believed to have put the car away and it was not sold until July of 1970.
The car was acquired next by Harold and Betty Bujwit of Lowell, Indiana. They evidently were the ones who did the work needed to get the car back on the road and presentable after its thirty-year slumber. In 1984, the car changed hands again and went to Jeff Peace of Lafayette, Indiana. Mr. Peace felt compelled to rebuild the rear end under his ownership. The rear-end ratio was changed to a more highway friendly 3.58:1.
This Packard changed hands again in 1989. This time it fell under the care of Chad and Barbara Hunt of Saratoga, California. They commissioned a body-off restoration and an engine rebuild. The result of this work was first prize at a Packard National Meet. From there it was shuffled around to two different owners before ending up in Connecticut under the care of an enthusiast who commissioned an outfit named Parker’s Packards to mechanically refresh the car in late 2020. During that time, we were told that the front brakes and shock absorbers were rebuilt. We are also told that it has been used for touring, having most recently participated in The Enthusiasts Tour last April.
The seller believes that the car is an ideal candidate for CARavan tours, as it has been designated as a full classic by the Classic Car Club of America and is thus eligible for club touring activities. With its 473 cubic inch V-12, there is no doubt that the car is a powerful and smooth way to enjoy such activities. One can also imagine that it is just fine for taking the grandkids out for ice cream on a Saturday night. It is a car that deserves to be driven, and its next owner will surely enjoy putting more miles on this gorgeous example of Packard’s finest work.
Beautiful.
I think this would be equivalent to a Trams Am in its day. Not Johnny Lunchpail making .42/hour that maybe ran the press making the fenders, but this was for a guy like Burt Reynolds, or the characters he portrayed anyway. This car cost a whopping $5725 new,,,when a Ford coupe was $850! Even though it was a fantastic road car, I’d bet most of these adorned country club parking lots and company presidents kid who happened to show up for work that day. The very few cars like this that did get used for travel, didn’t look like this for long. Fact is, they were downright beat. I’ve watched videos of cars like this driving, and it has got to be intimidating, to say the least. While seemingly normal at the time, today, not much is like it. My Peterbilt, with its long nose came close. I’ve driven most everything known to man, but never a full classic like this, and probably never will. That V12 would be like music to me, a hummin’ dozen.
Trans Am,,,,
I think it’s more of a Thunderbird or Montecarlo of it’s day?
I’d trade ’em my Thunderbird Super Coupe and my first born son for this car! I love Packards, and this is about as good as it gets. My first born son…not so much!
Can you tell me what Trippe lights are?
This auto is beyond a beautiful. That burled elm dash I’m assuming is the real deal. And then those leather seats, the rumble seat, and the V-12.
I was at the Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corner Michigan in ’17 and I don’t recall any Packards there.
Looks like this car would be worth every penny of the asking price. I would take this over a Super Bird.
What a machine!
I don’t see the Trippe lights? Where are they, in the golf-club cubby? Beautiful car. Would love to see some wide-white sidewalls. And I usually don’t. Sadly, at 190 thousand clams most people that could afford this car wouldn’t understand, or appreciate it. And those that do……well, you know.
Very nice car.
Beautiful car and beautiful text
What a beautiful example of the Great Gatsby age. One of the truisms of this hobby is that the most desirable restoration candidates (like this car) are not cheap to get into in the first place ( Again, like the price on this beauty). Would love to see it restored to showroom condition.
digging the burled wood dash
Chad Hunt was a friend, a genuine car guy, mostly into Mercedes-Benzes (yes, a 300SL). Will pass this along to his son, David.
“One can also imagine that it is just fine for taking the grandkids out for ice cream on a Saturday night.”
So long as the kids eat the ice cream while sitting WAY AWAY from the car!
Memories. My brother bought a 1938 sedan after he got out of the Navy in 1946. Straight eight engine with a long hood but the pictured grill is what reminds me. Learned to drive on it.
No need for white wall tires, the proportions are perfect and without a person in the pictures you can’t tell how really large it is. The 16×7.50 tires are a lot bigger than we see on everything except full size SUVs. I’d rather have this than a PIII V12 Rolls Royce. Worth the money for sure
I guess I need to be educated. Is this really worth 184K? Before I read the post. I was thinking 35ish K. As I said, I need to be educated.
Hemmings dot Com provides an educational trip into the nuances of the Packard V-12 with their Car Culture article:
Victorious V-12 – 1939 Packard Coupe Roadster
Restoring a 1939 Packard Coupe Roadster takes time, patience and skill, but rebuilding its V-12 engine takes a lifetime of experience.
By Matt Litwin – 09/22/2018
Eugene Cohen of Sarasota, Florida is the owner of a 1939 V-12 Coupe Roadster and by 2000 “had established a reputation…as one of the go-to guys who had the ability to resurrect a Packard…”. He purchased his coupe roadster from an individual who was dismayed by the $30,000-$50,000 to rebuild the engine at that time.
Eugene says that the 1939 is the ultimate development of the V-12, but note that the 1937 has the same independent front suspension and as far as I know the same choices of low rear axle ratios so that changing down for a turn was not required as the V-12’s 322-lb.ft torque at 1,400 RPM could move the heavy weight Packard forward from a near stop.
On the continuing discussion as to what a person of wealth might choose post WW11 as Packard was descending into dust and memories the most likely choice would be a Mercedes Benz Coupe though definitely not a 300SL coupe or cabriolet. A Mercedes of unquestioned quality with a luxurious trimmed cabin and of course an automatic transmission.
Another long shot choice might have been a French Vacel Vega FV or HK500 series with an automatic. Even though Albert Camus and the owner Gallimard were killed in the crash of the FVS slamming into a plane tree. Gallimard’s wife and daughter in the back were unharmed.
Obviously Camus’ active resistance against the WW11 German invaders and winning the Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 42 embellished his remarkable carer.
Typo. Facel Vega not Vacel Vega.
Do a whole lot of study! This is a true CLASSIC! … not as a word to be used loosely! This is right alongside of Cadillac V16’s Victoria Coupes of it’s Era as well as Pierce Arrows. This example with its provenance make it easily worth the asking! … “Just ask the Man that owns one!” was Packard’s sales motto! Was then ! and still applies today!
This is sweet. I sure would love to take a spin in this V12! I’d ask the man who owns one but they don’t travel in my social strata, lol. Love the green interior.
Where is Jay Leno when we need him?
I understand that Jay Leno is still recovering from the third-degree burns he suffered in his garage fire!
OMG, I must be living under a rock. I had not heard that. Should be a lesson to all of us gear heads. Keep that fire extinguisher close and your firepeople closer.
Went back to EBay to drool over this again and by golly it was sold. Lucky person. Worth every penny. Still thinking about the rush of torque under your hiney from that V12! Sigh. If I could even see this up close I’d probably spend a couple hours just drinking it in. For me this is probably the most desirable car I’ve ever seen on BF. Thanks for making my day.
Not sold, but the listing did end. Make an offer!
Packard was truly top of the line back in the day. It is sad that so many manufacturers and name brands that are part of our history have been lost to the hands of time. What would Ransom Olds and the many others think if they were around today with all the cars on the road identifiable only by the name tags and not the design?
“Ask The Man Who Owns One”. If only they took as much pride in cars, today.
Phil Hill was a huge proponent of Packard, and one of the reasons for the popularity of collecting/restoring “Full Classics”.
That’s a factory Wolf Wagon/Hotrod. I love it.
If You ever make it to Pioneer Village in Minden, Nebraska, they had a 36 Packard 12 same colors that has been in the museum since the ’60s. I stand there and stare for a very long time every time I go there!
If I had the money I’d certainly pull the trigger…..Packard was and is my favorite…..right up until 1956 they were an absolute work of art…..such quality and craftsmanship…..never before surpassed or even paralleled…not even Cadillac, Lincoln or Imperial could compare….the only ones that could come close would be Duesenberg or the Cadillac from the 1930’s…..just an amazing car….built to last and built to impress…..Long live the magnificent Packard
Agree! I had an opportunity to drive one of Mr. George Choban’s Packard V12’s during the 1980 Concours D’ Elegance in Hillsborough,Oregon. He own three but the one I had opportunity to operate was a gorgeous 1928 Dual Cowl Phaeton.
Poppy, if I bought this I would probably be newly divorced and compelled to taking up residence in it. Seriously though, this car won’t fit in my garage or pocketbook so I just have to be content with the screen shots I took of it.
I drove that car to demonstrate it to the guy that bought it. Amazing car, and fully worth the $184K. Chad and Barbara took the car on several 1000 mile Classic Car Club Caravans (tours). The Packard V12 is arguably the best engine of its time.