Straight from the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 2023, this 1940 Packard Custom Super Eight One-Eighty Victoria Convertible by Darrin is a remarkable piece of automotive history, often celebrated for its elegance, craftsmanship, and luxury. Here are some key details about this iconic vehicle: -- Overview -- - Manufacturer: Packard Motor Car Company - Designer: Howard "Dutch" Darrin - Production Year: 1940 - Model: Custom Super Eight One-Eighty - Body Style: Victoria Convertible - Engine: 356 cubic inch (5.8 L) L-head inline 8-cylinder engine - Power: Approximately 160 horsepower - Transmission: 3-speed manual transmission w/ overdrive -- Design and Styling -- - Coachbuilder: Darrin of Paris (Dutch Darrin’s design studio in Los Angeles, CA. known for creating custom bodies for luxury cars for Hollywood Stars). - Distinctive Features: The Packard Custom Super Eight One-Eighty Victoria Convertible by Darrin is renowned for its sleek and sophisticated design. It features flowing, aerodynamic lines, a low windshield, and a raked grille. The "Darrin Dip," a signature swoop in the beltline, is one of its most recognizable characteristics. - Interior: The interior of this vehicle is luxurious, with high-quality materials, including leather upholstery, art-deco, and chrome accents. The attention to detail in the interior design underscores the car's status as a premium luxury vehicle of its time. -- Rarity and Collectibility -- - Limited Production: This Custom Super Eight One-Eighty Victoria Convertible by Darrin was produced in very limited numbers, making it highly sought after by collectors today. It is estimated that fewer than 50 of these cars were made, and even fewer exist today. - Collectibility: Due to its rarity, historical significance, and the reputation of Howard "Dutch" Darrin as a designer, this Packard model is considered a valuable collector's item. It represents the pinnacle of pre-war American luxury automobiles. -- Performance -- - Engine Performance: The 356 cubic inch engine mated with a high-speed rear-end was Packard's most powerful offering at the time, providing smooth and robust performance. This car was known for its quiet, refined ride and was capable of impressive speeds for its era. - Ride and Handling: This car was equipped with Packard's advanced suspension system, which provides a comfortable ride, even on rough roads. It was considered one of the best-handling luxury cars of its time. -- Historical Significance -- - Luxury and Innovation: This 1940 Packard Custom Super Eight One-Eighty was part of Packard's top-tier lineup and was marketed as a luxury vehicle for the elite. It represented the height of American automotive engineering and design before World War II. - Designer Legacy: Howard "Dutch" Darrin was a renowned automotive designer whose work influenced the design language of luxury cars in the 1930s and 1940s. His collaboration with Packard produced some of the most stylish and memorable cars of the era. - Provenance: -2014 Engine rebuilt by Gene Crengs of Wisconsin -2015 Body-on restoration completed by well-known Darrin expert Gene Tereshawty of Ohio -2015 Awarded Best of Show Packard Nationals, Reading, PA -2016 Classic Car Club of America Judged: Premier Badge 3213 February: Boca Raton, FL - 100.00 points June: Hickory Corners, MI - 99.00 points July: Salem, OH - 99.25 points -2017 Shown at St. Johns Concours, Plymouth, MI (Driven) -2017 & 2018 Awarded Best in Class at The CCCA Experience, Hickory Corners, MI (Driven) -2023 Displayed at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance after completing the Motoring Classic from Seattle, WA to Pebble Beach, CA (1,500 miles)
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