31-Years-Owned, 502-Powered 1942 Packard Eight Series 1599 Convertible Coupe

Description

With conflict looming in Europe and across the Pacific, American automakers began thinking about how to retool their assembly plants for war production in late 1941 when this 1942 Packard was built. The car reportedly left the assembly line and was delivered to its first owner on November 21, 1941, just 16 days before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Among myriad small changes for what turned out to be a very short model year, the '42 Packard Eight took over for the prior year's One-Twenty.

The current owner of this 1942 Packard Eight acquired the car in 1995 and embarked on a four-year custom build in 2000. Among the modifications were the installation of a 502ci V8 and a modern four-speed automatic transmission, a repaint in "Fire Pepper Red" with a black convertible top, and a new interior with cream leather upholstery and wool carpet. 

Additional mods include a Morrison frame, Ford 9" rear axle with Detroit Locker differential and Strange axles, American Racing Torque Thrust aluminum wheels, rear disc brakes, a Brassworks radiator, Rock Valley stainless fuel tank, modern Ford rack-and-pinion steering, air ride suspension, and Vintage Air climate control. 

This 1942 Packard Eight is now offered with a clean Washington title in the owner’s name.  

Highlights

• Under current ownership since 1995; 4-year restoration completed in 2004 

• Chevrolet Performance Ram Jet 502ci V8 with electronic fuel injection 

• Hughes Performance TH400 3-speed automatic transmission 

• Refinished in Fire Pepper Red paint with black convertible top 

• Cream leather upholstery with raspberry accents and wool carpet 

Modifications

According to the seller, the following modifications were completed from 2000-2004: 

• Engine and transmission swap 

• Repaint and interior overhaul

• Powder-coated Morrison frame  

• Replated chrome 

• Custom molded front fenders with recessed headlights 

• Modified grille and windshield 

• Shaved door handles  

• Custom taillights and smoothed deck 

• American Torque Thrust aluminum wheels 

• Rear disc brakes 

• Ford 9" rear end with Detroit Locker differential and Strange Engineering axles 

• Air ride suspension

• Ford rack-and-pinion steering 

• Jet-Hot coated headers and exhaust 

• Brass Works radiator 

• Rock Valley stainless fuel tank 

• Painless Performance wiring 

• Power windows and front seats 

• Vintage Air climate control 

• Custom Auto Sound head unit  

Known Imperfections

• Images detailing the condition of the car are presented in the gallery 

• Scratch on the running board inside driver's door 

• BFGoodrich tires have 2001 date codes 

Ownership History

The current owner of this 1942 Packard acquired it in May 1995. 

Included Items

• Red carpeted floor mats 

Additional Information

The serial number plate for this car is a replacement, and the serial number listed corresponds with the clean Washington title.

The seller states, "When we presented the original plate and title to the DMV clerk, he confirmed that the number on the original plate is the old engine number. Since that engine is no longer in the Packard, he recommended a new plate with the title number.

"This Packard came to a small retirement community in Washington State in 1995, where its potential as a dream car became apparent to its current owner, who committed it to a four-year restoration that began in 2000.  

"The 120 body was 100% rust free prior to rotisserie restoration. The car shows well and has won multiple awards including Best in Show at the 16th Annual Cruise the Narrows Car Show in 2013; Mayor's Choice, Relics and Rods, at the 2004 Run to the Sun; and Best 1941-1948, Engines and Machines, at the 2004 Run to the Sun.

"The Packard was painted with Dupont Chroma Base paint in Fire Pepper Red, a Honda color. The Morrison frame is powder coated. All chrome was replated by Victoria Plating, B.C., Canada. Running gear includes a 502 Ram Jet with Packard valve covers, a Hughes 400 transmission, Hughes 9-inch torque convertor, 9 inch Ford Detroit Locker, Strange Axels, T-Bird rack and pinion steering, Painless wiring, Brass Works radiator, headers and exhaust jet hot coated, rear disc brakes, Custom Auto Sound, Rock Valley stainless gas tank, Vintage Air, American torque thrust aluminum wheels, Specialty power windows, shaved door handles. The upholstery is cream leather with raspberry accents and wool carpet throughout, including the trunk."