When Packard reintroduced a six-cylinder engine into its range in 1937, the company came in for a significant amount of criticism from its loyal customer base. There were many people at the time who believed that such a vehicle negatively impacted the public’s perception of the brand. However, it proved to be a master-stroke for the manufacturer, attracting many buyers who would otherwise have been unable to afford anything else within the company’s product range. This 1939 Packard Six is a spotless example that has to be seen to be believed. The next owner will need to do nothing more than to slide behind the wheel and luxuriate in the ambiance of a wonderful pre-war classic. The Packard is located in Polk City, Florida, and has been listed for sale in the Barn Finds Classifieds and here on eBay. If luxurious classics attract your interest, then you can secure this one for a BIN of $18,500.
The imaginatively named Packard Blue paint on this classic looks stunning. It has a consistent depth and shine to it, and the overall presentation is close to flawless. The owner provides plenty of photos of the vehicle, and they reveal the fact that it is completely rust-free. The panels are very straight, with no signs of any dings or dents. The panel gaps are tight and consistent, while the Packard was produced with one of my all-time favorite design features, suicide rear doors. If you’ve never tried climbing into the back of a car fitted with these, then you have missed a rare treat. Ease of access is key with this feature, and this is why classics like these are a firm favorite as bridal cars. The exterior trim and chrome are spotlessly clean, while the glass is free of any cracks, chips, or marks. The wide whitewall tires are said to be fairly new, and they provide the perfect finishing touch to the Packards exterior.
The “wow” factor continues when we open the doors and take a look around inside the Packard. This is an interior that needs absolutely nothing. The upholstery on the seats and door trims appears to be close to perfect, while the same is true of the carpet and headliner. There are no signs of any wear on the rim of the steering wheel, while the Art Deco dash is a flawless thing of beauty. When all of these qualities are married together, you can see why Packard had such a firmly established reputation for building some of the most luxurious and desirable cars on American roads at the time. There is a walk-around video clip included at the bottom of this article, and not only does it allow you to see just how nice the exterior is, but it gives you a strong insight into how spotless the interior is.
I wish there was a better photo of the Packard’s engine because what we can see looks very clean and promising. This was also the feature that was the cause of much angst amongst existing Packard owners at that point in time. They felt that a 6-cylinder engine, regardless of how good it was, had no place under the hood of a Packard. However, it did prove to be an inspired decision by company management, because it meant that not only did they manage to sell a very respectable 24,350 cars in the 1939 model year, but more than half of this total was the Six. The engine is a flathead unit with a displacement of 245ci. It produced 100hp, which was sent to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission. The owner believes that both the engine and transmission are original, and as is the case with the rest of the car, these need nothing. The engine is said to start and run nicely, the transmission shifts smoothly and cleanly, the brakes work as they should, and the Packard drives perfectly. That shows great promising for some enjoyable classic motoring during the upcoming warmer weather.
The Packard Six marked one of the smartest pieces of design and marketing that the company ever undertook and had they been able to continue that trend, maybe the Packard brand would have survived in one form or another to this day. It would seem that the name-plate has now been permanently consigned to the pages of history. However, with examples like this one still in existence, it allows the current generation of motoring enthusiasts to indulge in a pretty special motoring experience. These don’t come onto the market that often these days, so buying this classic should mean that someone will be in for a rare treat. Could that person be you?
$18,500 sounds like a steel for this beautiful car in comparison to the very large amounts of cash that people pay out for a scrap Porsche 356/VW Beetle/Kombi/Camaro/Tri5 Chev. etc. however, there is no accounting for taste.
It sounds more like a steal to me.
Boy , would I ever love to own the beauty.
Boy , would I ever love to own this beauty.
Beautiful car .
It is a steal. A friend sold a ‘39 2 dr. Coupe of similar quality for twice this amount and that was at least 15 years ago. Someone is going to have themselves a great car.
Owned a ’37 and a ’38 in the late 90’s, both sixes. The ’37 had the classy looking rear roofline (can’t remember the model designation). I bought it sight unseen on Ebay from Canada and had it shipped. It turned out to be better than the photos, which were incredible professional shots. A near concours quality car for about $9500. Bought the ’38 a year later, again off Ebay, and the seller neglected to mention it needed a ring job! The ’37, despite being a six, was so smooth you could balance a quarter on the running engine. These cars, when new, were works of art.
Wow! Looks like a bunch of guys in double-breasted, pinstriped suits, wearing fedoras & carrying violin cases would get out of…! Ouch!
Amazing that was my first thought… apparently several movie art directors agreed!
Lovely Vehicle, Owning a 39 2dr Opera Coupe 120 currently with the straight 8 engine runs smoothly and quietly, so much advanced engineering, like a grille that opens and closes via a temperature controlled Shutter Valve in the top tank of the radiator, deluxe heater w/defrost vents at bottom of windshield, deluxe radio w/6 presettable push button stations, only one doormen lock cylinder or passenger side, at list goes on!
I’d post a picture if I knew how?
Very nice sedan model, someone will end up with a great vehicle providing it’s kept original, not hot rodded, find a Chevy or ford for that!
Wonder if he has a plug wire cover?
20 years ago I would have thought this is a beautiful vehicle and that would have been the end of it. It seems as I get older my appreciation for these cars has increased and I prefer NOT to speculate why but this is a real beauty and the PACKARD name certainly means a lot to people including myself. Its not only a truly beautiful car but also holds a bigger than most slot in history than a lot of other manufactures! to the new owner protect it, preserve it and EMJOY it!
Ask the man who owns one. I wish that man were me!
As others have said, this car or the ’74 Duster? At the same price, it would be a no-brainer for me. I’d jump on this car in a heartbeat. I wish it wasn’t 1,000 miles away.
Packard was the first with air conditioning in 1940. They were a innovative company with great engineers. If I could afford to part with 19k right now this car would soon be in my garage.
God bless America
I would like to drive up and bring this beauty home. Maybe I will…. need to sleep on it one night. May be gone by then.
I’m pretty sure any 6 cylinder Packard would be from the 110 Series! Cars of the 1700 Series are from the Standard 8, Super 8 and V-12 Series ! Senior Series Packards are always differentiated from the 110 and 120 series !! Still a nice looking car, though !
I have always liked a Packard, childhood memories, I guess !!!
It reminds me „unfortunately“ of my Grandparents 1936 Packard 12 7 Passenger Sedan.
My grandmother sold it for $50 when I was 12 and that was unfortunate.
My grandmother invented the automatic transmission, she never used a clutch, ever.
She was a very short lady, and by sitting on cushions and phone-books (what are those?), she could see between the dash and top of the steering wheel to drive.
Either my Dad or my grandfather attached wooden blocks on the brake and gas pedals which allowed her feet to be used.
I never did see a wooden block on the clutch, and thus she never made any attempt to use the clutch.
real beauty (fenders. rest of the lines, grill, dash, back doors’n even the trunk) needs nothing but less indoor/out door carpet and the straight 8 (sorry, my fav motor of the era). The majority of its fans are not buying them now (real classics to me mid/late ’30s thru very early ’50s). Most of them are fading away like these beauties.
Thanks Adam~
(next Auburns, Cords’n Delahayes ?)
Had a ‘40 Hudson Super Six. On paper very similar to this. Flathead in-line six, four door with the rears opening just like these. At a show I was allowed to climb all over and drive one of these. Came away thinking that the Hudson was a fine car and loved owning it and the Packard in every small way but one was a better car. There was nothing that you could point to and say that was the key difference, it was everywhere. Oh, the one thing the Hudson did better was how the hood opened.