1942 Packard Super 8

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys The Hershey Auction event, 7 - 8 October 2026.
Offered Without Reserve $40,000 - $50,000 USD

• One of the final Packard automobiles produced before wartime suspension of civilian production
• Delivered on 20 December 1941, less than six weeks before Packard ceased passenger car production
• Powered by Packards 356-cid L-head straight-eight rated at 165 hp
• Elegantly finished in dark brown with a tan folding soft-top over dark tan upholstery
• Well-equipped with dual side-mounted spares with mirrors, cormorant radiator mascot, push-button radio, and dashboard clock
• A CCCA Full Classic

There was a time when no American automobile carried greater prestige than a Packard. Favored by captains of industry, dignitaries, and discerning motorists, Packard earned its reputation through exceptional engineering, refined styling, and uncompromising quality. By the early 1940s, as the world crept toward global conflict, the company was producing some of the finest automobiles in its distinguished history.

Introduced for 1940, the Super Eight One-Sixty combined Packards renowned 356-cubic-inch L-head straight-eight with independent front suspension, effortless performance, and outstanding ride quality. Rated at 165 horsepower, the smooth-running engine delivered quiet, confident performance, whether cruising long distances or navigating city streets, reinforcing Packards reputation as one of Americas premier luxury automakers.

The Convertible Coupe offered here is especially noteworthy as one of the last civilian Packards built before the companys wartime transition. According to its cowl tag, the car was delivered to Jannicky Motors, Inc., of Huntington, New York, on 20 December 1941, just weeks after the United States entered World War II and fewer than six weeks before Packard suspended passenger car production on 9 February 1942. Thereafter, the company devoted its manufacturing resources to the war effort, producing marine engines, Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engines under license, and other critical military equipment.

Elegantly presented in an exceptionally dark shade of brown, nearly black in appearance, the coupe features a tan folding soft-top and matching upholstery that perfectly complement the exterior. Numerous period accessories further enhance the presentation, including dual side-mounted spare wheels with mirrors, Packards iconic cormorant radiator mascot, wide whitewall tires, a push-button radio, and an integrated dashboard clock.

Representing the final chapter of Packards celebrated pre-war production, this Super Eight One-Sixty Convertible Coupe beautifully captures the marque at its zenith, combining elegant styling, outstanding engineering, and exceptional historical significance as one of the last civilian Packards produced before the companys wartime conversion.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/hf26/.