Packard! That sturdy last name evokes understated excellence in American automotive design and manufacturing. It’s also an unfortunate, oft-told tale – a company that made exalted automobiles, survived the great depression, but couldn’t weather the storm that was the post-war leviathan of the Big Three. Today’s subject, courtesy of Tony P., is a 1939 Model 110 coupe, and an example from happier times for Packard. It has been sitting for 47 years and has an obvious issue or two, but all in all, it looks pretty solid. Those with an interest will find this stylish coupe located in Savannah, Georgia, and it’s listed here on craigslist for $8,500.
I’ll admit it right up front, I admire Packards but am by no means an expert. (I’d ask the man who owns one, but I don’t know any…) Anyhow, the seller refers to this coupe as a Model 110, but research tells me that the 110 was produced in 1940 and 1941. If anyone can shed some light on this matter, please do so in the comments. Along with a Business Coupe configuration, Packard offered a two and four-passenger Club Coupe, two and four-door convertibles, and two and four-door sedans. The total 1939 Model 110 production volume exceeded 24K units, but no breakdown by model is available – at least that I could find. This coupe’s most obvious foible is the sizeable dent in the passenger side fender. Repairable? perhaps. The rest of the body, including the very distinctive grill, looks OK. The seller tells us that this Packard’s long slumber has occurred over top of concrete, so that’s good news. The trim is all in place, and the chrome bits and running boards appear to be sound – I say “appear” as the listing images aren’t the best. I’d suggest one of this Packard’s defining style elements is its long, sloping rear deck and divided rear window.
The non-running engine is a 100 gross HP, 245 CI, in-line eight six-cylinder unit married up to a three-speed manual transmission. Once again, we’re trying to get a powerplant glimpse via a distant and not comprehensive image. What can be seen looks complete, but a more thorough inspection is necessary. It would be good to know if this big straight-eight would at least turn over by hand.
As with the engine compartment, the interior is poorly photographed – I’m trying to decide if the bench seat is still in place. The instrument panel looks OK, but the one visible door panel appears to be degraded, and the floor covering looks like it’s missing. I’d also suggest some of the glass will need to be replaced.
This Packard 110 is a nice find, if for no other reason than its complete and not-messed-with condition. Hardly flashy, this coupe maintains a restrained presentation, and I prefer it that way. If I were interested in this car, I would try to keep it as original as possible, but how about you? Which way would you go with this Packard 120 coupe?
This is a classy car. Even with the unfortunate bump in the front fender and dull paint, you can still picture this beauty brand new with its first owner taking possession of it, proudly driving it home to show it off to their friends and neighbors. At least in my minds eye anyways. I’m hoping it gets saved, and restored.
It is a 6cyl not 8 as you said. Wish I still had my ‘37 120.
Hey Jim, you can ask me. I owned a ’50 Packard limousine while in highschool. And lemme
tell Ya’, what a fine car they were
too. The straight 8 engine was
smooth, powerful, and quiet. You
could set a glass of water on the
hood and it wouldn’t spill. And if
you didn’t have the water, you could take a quarter or a half dollar, set it on end, and it wouldn’t fall off the hood. And the ride? Smooth and floaty– like
sleeping in your girlfriend’s arms.
You just couldn’t beat it! The seats remind you of a high end sofa. Speed demons they were
not, but excellent highway cruisers? Most definitely. They
would do 70 MPH all day long
sipping surprisingly little fuel. Even a Packard like this one was the total package in its day. And
if you haven’t ridden in one, you
don’t know what you missed. I like the car, but our friend the seller is being skimpy with his/her photos of it. If Ya’ wanna
sell it quick, Ya’ gotta put it out
there so that a possible buyer can
see just they’re getting for their
hard earned money. And that dent? Nothin’ to write home to
Mother about. You can make it go bye bye with a hammer and
dolley or a dent puller. And while
you’re there, don’t forget adding
some turn signals so the morons
on the freeway know when you’re
gonna make a turn so you won’t
hit them and bang up that beautiful body. Where’s Howard?
He can tell you more then I can
about this than I can. If I can’t
have another Caddy, I think a
Packard would do.
Did Howard have his drivers license when these came out?
I count 6 plug wires, not 8. The 110 is a 6-cylinder Packard.
This is a 1939 Packard Six Business Coupe. It originally listed for exactly $1000 base price. Such a lovely old unmessed-with car.
OK, I updated the engine specs and description, thx.
JO
looks solid. give it a driveline upgrade and drive it.
I have a 39 2 door sedan. They were listed as a 1700 or Packard six. 40 and 41 had little grills on each side of the main central one, not the chrome strips up to the headlights like this one!!!
My dad was a Packard man all his years in the Navy. He bought his last one the year I was norn, 1953. After that is was Fords, Pontiac, Oldsmobiles and finally Cadillacs. But Packards always had a soft spot in his heart.
My first car was a 35 Packard Coupe like this one except I had dual side mount spare tires and a straight 8 engine. Paid a Hundred bucks for it and drove it off the used car lot . Never did have to do more than normal maintenance on it but it was tan and I had it painted black. Three speed stick on the floor, no radio and no heater. I never did put a radio in but I did install a heater for the winter in New England. I’d buy this if I wasn’t so old and fix what ya need to drive it. You can’t go wrong with a car like this. Some parts alone are almost priceless.
A nice black laquer paint job with old school flames and a set of chrome Tru-spoke wire wheels and you be ready to hit the recruiting station LOL. Just the brand name evokes memories of a distant time past. She’s a sweety!
Yes Aldo, I’m sure he did. But if you really wanna know, why not ask him yourself. I’ll say he’s about my age (71) so no, probably not. However, I think he
said that a family member of his
owned one when he got his license, so yeah, he at least got to
drive one. Do I want this car?
You bet I do! But I live with two
ladies that would have nothing to
do with it. I’d have to find myself
a lady friend that digs Packards
and can drive a 3 on the tree.
How bout it Angel?
This is a three speed floor shift. The ladies can learn that easily. Ya, I liked mine too.
I was lucky to be the caretaker of a 39 Packard limousine for several years. The dash layout was considerably different than this unit. These were the models that got people into the Packard marque.
That limo was something, even with the substantial weight of the unit, that flat 8 performed very well! I was required to “exercise” the vehicle weekly, I lived a 1000 ft. elevation difference than it’s garaged location and that car would pull a 6% grade effortlessly in top gear (3 speed). I don’t believe I ever applied full throttle to that Packard, it wasn’t required!
It was a highly original vehicle from a summer resort in Bethlehem NH. A very proper thorough exterior reconditioning took place in the 80’s, and was a solid # 3 vehicle.
The 2nd owner passed in 2018. His kids most likely sold the car, as it had vanished from that small community. Interesting that the limousines aren’t commanding the same values as the 120 series, but, as stated, it was the entry Packard. This is a gem!
I think the days of restoring these old cars has passed the next generation are not interested besides to customized these cars is out of site 80 to 100k sorry
Sad but true, I’m 76 and restored a number of cars -’34 Ford to 70 MGB. It’s too much real work for most of the “young’uns”, heck even changing exhaust to headers, adding a carb, or different camshaft is out of thier realm. Taught high school autoshop but now they just pop in a different computer chip — easy peasy I got me a hot rod!
Ok, I am compelled to chime in on this fine Packard. The hot rod crowd drools over the 1937-1940 Ford coupes. Stock or fitted out with every possible bangle, they run at prices that are a multiple of what this Packard owner wants. This Packard puts those Ford coupes to shame. You buy this Packard, give it a good wash and set up your lawn chair and just stare at it. It will tell you what needs to be put in order to get it back on the road. The 6 cyl engine will get you on the highway and run withe best cars on the road today. Do Not resto-mod this work of art. Join a local Packard Club, those folks will help you with parts and experience to keep things in shape. Don’t worry about the dimple in that fender, a good body shop can set that right, without 2lbs of bondo. I have wa ted tom buy a Packard like this, for the last 40: years. Currently its bargain price is out of my strike zone.
Cool old ride. I’ve never driven a vehicle from this era, always wondered what they drive like.
They definitely don’t make them like this anymore. When I look at the metal in this car it seems almost unbelievable it would probably take a sledgehammer to knock that dent out even after heating it up some.
This is great old example of how they used to make them.
It’s a Packard!!!!!!! This car looks like a very rebrubrishable vehicle to have, especially at this price… The Packard car club is a very large and diverse group of people who help each other. Buy this car, join the Packard club, make it roadworthy, then cruise it, show it, and enjoy the classic car hobby.
That thing is gorgeous – I have always wanted a Packard, they are a super rare vehicle over here
Packards were over built with nothing but high quality, I had a 37 Super eight club sedan and drove it till the engine wore out, would love to own this one.
Why when I click on Craig’s list does it not take me to the car listing?? It always used to. Now it just goes to a Craigslist homepage. I have to fill in the city etc. painful
I almost bought a very nice one of these several years ago, actually glad I didn’t. I like my 41 PLYMOUTH coupe better.
Beautiful coupe. You are absolutely right about that rear view Jim. This would be a great project to get up and running. Wish I was in the market.
A coupe with a nice difference. I’d get that engine running and with that 3 speed simply enjoy the drive/ride. As mentioned that fender would be an easy enough fix.