1935 Packard 120 Sedan

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Before “The Big Three” ruled Detroit, the American automotive landscape was filled with varying companies, each employing radically different strategies to separate themselves from their peers. Packard stood out from the pack, specializing in luxury and opulence. The Packard was the car of choice for presidents, heads of industry, and abroad, royalty. During the Great Depression, Packard saw some of its best years, offering competitively priced, powerful, reliable autos with a discreet external appearance. With the 120, Packard introduced for the first time in the company's history, independent front suspension, dubbed Safe-T-Flex. This early double wishbone setup afforded Packard owners ride comfort, better traction, and a safer, more stable vehicle on the road.

Springboarding from the concept of a powerful and comfortable sedan, this Packard 120 has been upgraded to a new configuration. It has been upgraded with a Rocket 445 V8 from a 1975 Oldsmobile and is paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Finished in a striking red and handsomely adorned with aluminum Corvette wheels, the interior is upholstered in tan leather, with lap belts,and air conditioning resulting in an intriguing example of the past reimagined.

Highlights

• Powered by a Rocket 445 V8 from a 1975 Oldsmobile paired to a three-speed automatic transmission 

• Double suicide doors only featured on 1935 model

• Air conditioning

• Finished in Candy Red with custom pinstriping, upholstered in a custom cloth interior 

• Custom instrument panel

• Angled rear axle eliminating transmission tunnel hump

• This 1935 Packard is offered with 11,761 miles at the time of listing; however, the true mileage is unknown

Features

• Hydraulic drum brakes

• Interior sun visor 

• Innovative Safe-T-Flex suspension

• Combination tail and stop light 

• Cowl ventilation

• Semielliptical rear suspension 

• Hydraulic double acting shock absorbers

• Dome light 

• Door speakers

• Cruise control

• Pioneer head unit

• Automatic windshield wiper

• 20 Gallon fuel tank

Known Imperfections

• Rusting at the top of the hood

• Paint flaking on cowl

• Fender splitting at front passenger wheel well

• Light tears in rear seat bolsters

• Scratch on rear fender

Included

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

• Original grille

• Leroy’s Body Shop invoice

• Tire iron 

Ownership History

The original owner of the 1935 Packard 120 four-door sedan is unknown. Its second owner was John Dukesherer of Dowagiac, Michigan. John owned the car for many years and drove it from his home in Michigan to his winter home in Florida for many years. 

John was responsible for making major changes to the car. At some unknown date he installed the current 1976 Olds 88 (455) Rocket engine and three-speed automatic transmission. The odometer shows 11,761 miles, which may represent mileage from that work. The car’s body at that time was white and John painted it the current bright Candy Red with clear coat.

Warren Tyler of Coloma, Michigan, bought the car in 2016. He drove it regularly, also making at least one trip from Michigan to Naples, Florida. The car was featured in some publicity—in an article in a Naples promotional magazine and in a featured article in a Michigan newspaper. Warren took the Packard to many automobile shows in Michigan and Indiana and won a few Best in Show awards.

Warren made some changes in the seven years he owned the car. He had an entirely new tan fabric interior installed on door panels, seats, and trunk and a tucked carpet. The work was done by Dee’s Trim in Naples, Florida. Two years ago, he had a rebuilt transmission installed. There also is a Detailed Customer Invoice available of work completed in 2018 by Leroy’s Body Shop in Benton Harbor, Michigan, consisting primarily of interior repairs and detailing. He installed a new after-market grille.

Norman Tyler, Warren’s brother, took title of the Packard in 2023 when Warren became incapacitated.Norman stored the car in his garage in Ann Arbor, Michigan, over the past winter.