At first glance, one would think they are reviewing a fine 1942 Packard One-Eighty sedan at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance – this car shows that well! Original, however, it is not as it harbors something a bit removed from stock under its lengthy hood. I was intrigued and hopefully, you are too. This Packard is located in Fort Pierce, Florida and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $17,900 with twenty-nine bids tendered so far.
The model year of 1942 was an abbreviated one for American automakers as a result of the onset of World War II; most production concluded in February of that year. That said, Packard still produced about 33K cars in ’42, putting them in eleventh place. As a point of comparison, first place Chevrolet rang out about 254K copies. Of note, the listing proclaims this Packard as both a “Clipper” model and then later, a “One-Eighty” model. It’s the latter as the Clipper’s roofline was different and this example clearly displays a “One- Eighty” badge on both its trunk lid and hood side skirt. Regardless of the model, this Packard sedan looks great – it has all of its extensive stainless trim, a deep finish, and no sign of rust or crash damage. In particular, note the condition of that impressive grille!
The surprise is in the engine room. Where a 165 HP, 356 CI straight eight-cylinder engine once held residence, a Chevrolet 350 CI V8, supposedly from a Corvette, is now holding court. Little is said about its features or provenance though it has center bolt valve covers so that would mean, the heads anyway, are from mid-’86 or a more recent version. The image of the engine isn’t thorough and the most obvious aspect is the rusty air cleaner lid and chrome-plated valve covers. The listing states, “Vette 350 and conversion auto transmission” so the gearbox could be a Turbo-Hydramatic 350 or maybe a 700R4. It is claimed, “Runs, drives and stops” – not exactly a ringing endorsement.
The most surprising element of the interior is the lack of a GM steering column, an upgrade that often accompanies GM V8 engine swaps. As the seller states, “The horn button needs to be put together“. That’s obvious, what’s not is whether or not he has the parts. Beyond that, the eight-passenger interior shows as very original with the possible exception of the radio and the dual A/C arrangement. The upholstery doesn’t show as worn or ripped, though the jump seats are stained.
I’ll sum it up by saying “cool car”! a Packard is always a treat to discover and the limited model year production makes this example that much more special a find. It’s not a pure collectible anymore, primarily, as a result of the engine swap but the conversion appears to have been well executed and the exterior of this One-Eighty isn’t giving up any hints of the powertrain transplant. There are eight bidders who seem to like it too, and since this is a no reserve auction, someone is going to end up with an impressive piece of machinery – a nice blend of old and new, wouldn’t you agree?
Amelia island like it’s somehow the ultimate? Go hang out with them, they arent car people, car people build repair and drive their cars, not a bunch of rich snobs, yet you hold their opinions to such high extreme regard….go get cars w coffee its where you belong, we build cars in greasy garages and drink beer not champagne…
Cars and cocaine.
Tell us how you feel Ray. Don’t hold back.
Just because someone doesn’t build or work on their own cars or projects doesn’t mean they can not appreciate cars. I am a automotive tech and I enjoy working on most anything that comes in. I enjoy learning about how things work. Most ” car guys” don’t like new technology but it is really great and awesome ideas. And most new tech is just Reinvented old ideas. Lol we can all get along
The stock 8 and transmission in these are wonderful, smooth and quiet. Wouldn’t be surprised if the next owner swapped it back to stock, I would.
I know, us purists cringe, but this is the best way to go today. Not some fire breather, just a “good ol’ boys SBC” in a “clunky” old Packard ( a what now?), makes a hum drum “jalopy” into something useful.( not my actual thoughts) I didn’t see if any other updates, such as brakes or suspension. While adequate in 1942, this car will cruise along at 70 now, no problem. Hauling it to a stop, may insure the classic “panic stop”, and front end parts for a ’42 Packard aren’t exactly common. I loved the straight 8, but even I know when to say when. Great swap here.
Long times ports car (Corvette) racer and race car builder, Dick Guldstrand, in the late seventies and early eighties, use to put Chevy 350 engines and Turbo 350 transmissions in Rolls, Bentleys and Jaguar sedans. I drove one of his Bentleys and it was a hoot, with two Holley quads.
The front bumper looks a little off .
All was good till I saw that cheeby
The original straight 8 and cast iron transmission probably weighed close to 1000 lbs. I’d toss the tires old small block that’s in there and replace it with a modern LS with modern engine management and a matching auto trans. Upgrade the brakes, make sure the suspension components are tight and leave the rest stock. You’d have a very usable, reliable and beautiful car that would be hard to tell from stock with the hood closed.
Neighbor has a ’48 Chrysler (BIG car) with a 350 and GM front engine swap which looks stock and which he uses to pull an old Airstream on vacations. So, it is old, beautiful, and above all, usesful! So, this could substitute for a big Ford or GM SUV with all 6 kids and a trailer if that is what you have.
A rare car that has been totally ruined.
Talk about SNOBS!!!!! I would guess less than 1% of car owners/drivers even know the first thing about building and/or working on cars Probably fewer than 50% of them know by experience the joy of looking at and riding/driving a “classis”. On this site, many coomenters thing that turning a “classic” into a low rider, giving it a flashy paint job, and adding mag wheels is the only WAY to make it “good”.
This is now a working vehicle.
Hats off to whoever got this back on the road, even with a transplanted heart.
Here’s a car that can be driven, can be enjoyed, can be worked on, and you won’t have a heart attack if some harm comes to the car.
This car is all fun.
The purists would hate it but that old girl would run rings around any original Packard and I say it’s a sensible engine swap. That’s not knocking Packards but whoever did the swap had a great idea………..
This car has been for sale off and on for years. Maybe it will find a home this time.
Wish seller had polished the air cleaner top. Little things mean a lot.
Beautiful, classy car with an old belly button. SBC/TH350 used to be the “everyone has one” power train. There’s no law against it- but there’s no law that says I have to buy it.
You don’t suppose that this could have been used for weddings and the V8 was added to make it easier to work on?
Mike, As a Packard collector who had a 1940 Packard 180 limo, and a former owner of a large vintage limo service in the DC/Balt area, I concur, this is 99% sure to have been a rental limo for weddings.
Hello Bill McKoskey!
I’m a volunteer in the shop at the National Automobile Museum in Reno and have I got a problem 😟.
We have a 1942 Darrin Body, Model 180 on the lift with the 3 speed + Overdrive. As you know, the brake master cylinder on the car also serves as an attachment point for the transmission shifting system and to service the master cylinder, the shift assembly needs to be removed. When I took the assembly apart a few weeks ago, it appeared reassembly would be straightforward since all the bits seemed to only come out one way.
Wrong 😟.
Foolishly, I neglected to make photos or a diagram and now, despite the efforts and input of many, we can’t get the assembly back together. We have reasonably complete documentation for the car, but nothing on the shifter system.
My travels on the internet led me to this site, and your post and if there is any way you may be of assistance, please get back to me.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Photos available.
Steve, here is a drawing of the Packard Handi-shift shifting rods and bracket, Hope this helps, if not let me know at billmccoskey (at) aol.com and I’ll see if I can find more info for you.
wonderbar!
Needs the i8 back tho (1 of my favs).
Not that anyone on this thread cares but the “Clipper” in 1942 was a car unto itself and not branded as a Packard. It was the first year of the aero “bathtub” shape and mostly if not all six cylinders. The ’42 180 is a “Senior” car re-pop of the ’41s. It was the last year of the vertical grille. Russia acquired the Packard dies to produce their “Zim” and Packard Motor Car Company came back after the war (producing PT boat engines) with the “Packard Clipper” in 1946 with the Super Clipper as the top of the line. This 180 deserves a return to its former glory and its torquey performance which would astound , or at least confound, the cookie cuter engine swappers.
They got all the money for that one. Closed at $25K. Ad says “Needs light detailing”. Yea, light – rusting at the edges of all the body panels, rust inside the engine bay (horn, cross bar, etc), and what’s the plastic bag hangining into the engine bay? This car has been out in the moisture and or salty air for some time. Plus who knows what underneath… I’d like to se it with a proper 8, but that, plus the total amount of work could be quite expensive. Think the A/C works? Or it could be a fair driver mostly as is, after $$ for fuel system, brakes, tires, etc.
that car would fit me