1942 Packard Eight

This 1942 Packard Eight Series 2021 convertible coupe was purchased by the selling dealer approximately 10 years ago and subsequently refurbished. The car is finished in blue over matching leather upholstery, and power comes from a 282ci straight-eight paired with a three-speed manual transmission Equipment includes a blue soft top and boot as well as chrome bumpers with overriders, a driver-side spotlight, beige plastic interior trim, and a cigar lighter. This 20th-series Packard is now offered by the selling dealer in Saratoga Springs, New York, with an owner’s manual, refurbishment records, a fire extinguisher, and a clean New Hampshire title. The Packard lineup was redesigned for 1942 except for convertible coupe and taxi models, which retained 1941 model-year bodywork with a revised front grille. This example was repainted blue during the refurbishment, and the brightwork was re-chromed at that time. Styling incorporates chrome bumpers with overriders, a driver-side spotlight, One-Twenty badging, and bright fender trim. A replacement blue soft top from Haartz is said to have been installed during the refurbishment and can be seen raised in the gallery below. The body-color 15″ steel wheels wear full chrome hubcaps and are mounted with Firestone bias-ply whitewall tires. A matching spare wheel, tire, and hubcap are stowed in the trunk. The Model 2021 rode on a 127″ wheelbase for the 1942 model year and featured a coil-spring front suspension along with a live rear axle with leaf springs out back. Stopping power is provided by hydraulic brakes at all four corners. Replacement rear axle seals, wheel cylinders, and brake hoses were installed in 2020. The cabin features front and rear bench seats that were reupholstered in blue leather in 2014 along with matching door panels and darker carpets. Replacement beige plastic trim was installed on the body-color steel dash during the refurbishment, and additional equipment includes a cigar lighter, a Packard-branded radio blanking plate, and a locking glovebox. The clock does not work. The two-tone beige and blue steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and frames a 110-mph sweep speedometer, an ammeter, and gauges for fuel level, water temperature, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows one mile. Total mileage is unknown. The 282ci straight-eight was factory rated at 125 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission.