Vehicle No. 1473-2008

Engine No. D300146

Packard's station wagon was one of the company's more brilliant marketing maneuvers of the late 1930s. For many years, station wagons had been employed by the wealthy at their country homes, both as utility vehicles for servants and as, more or less, the sport utility vehicle of the era, used to carry luggage to and from the city and to ferry guests around large rural properties. It was not uncommon for the estate's carriage house to thus include a "woodie" of a more plebian manufacturer alongside, often, a Packard.

Following the construction of several well-received one-off and prototype models, it became obvious that a Packard wagon would be welcomed by the company's clientele and would ensure further brand loyalty, as well as become a status symbol in itself. Produced for 1941's Nineteenth Series, it was made clear that the station wagon was a true Packard that was built on the same automobile chassis as One Ten and One Twenty sedans, coupes and the like, and thus exhibited the same outstanding engineering, fit, and finish that customers had come to expect. Bodywork was designed by Hercules of Evansville, Indiana, which was well-known for the excellent standards of their wagon bodies.

The One Twenty model offered here was formerly owned by well-known Packard collector Mike Ames, prior to its acquisition by the Gateway Automobile Museum in 2010. It has been the recipient of an outstanding restoration to the very highest standards, documented by a small album of photographs remaining in the file and showing the superb workmanship involved. As part of this process, the entire wooden body was restored with all-new wood, finished to concours quality throughout, and the sheet metal of the nose and fenders refinished in the rare Packard hue of Inverness Green.

Accessories include fog lights and turn signals, a grille guard, dual sidemounted spares with metal covers and Packard script mirrors, a spotlight, and, within, an AM radio and clock. The finish of the interior is far beyond what one might see on a more common utility vehicle of the time, with thick, durable brown vinyl upholstery on all three rows of seating, and full carpets. A two-piece tailgate opens to produce an ideal perch for watching polo matches or enjoying a picnic. Even the rear windows slide through chromed frames, and the roof has a tiny gutter around the edge so that water will easily drain off and not drip through the doors!

Showing 28,957 miles at the time of cataloging, this could be one of the finest One Twenty Station Sedans available and is worthy of the most selective Packard collector.

Collection Guarantee Disclosure

Please note that as part of a larger collection to be offered at live and online auctions, the Consignor of the Gateway Collection has been guaranteed a minimum price for certain cars, including this Lot, by Broad Arrow. Depending on the final Hammer Price obtained for those Lots, Broad Arrow may benefit financially.

Please note that this lot is titled by its engine number.