Packard Super Eight 1404 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton, 1936
Packard Super Eight
Packard Super Eight•
•15 views
Chassis No.: 941206
Auction: Monterey 2018
Auction date: August 25, 2018
Lot No.: S77.1
$451,000 | Sold
- Exterior: Maroon
- Interior: Tan
- Body: Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton
- One of only two 1936 Super Eight Dual Cowl Sport Phaetons known to exist
- Best American Classic at Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance
- Best in Class at Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance
- Formerly owned by collectors Dave Kane, Tom Crook and professional golfer Gene Littler
- 5-year comprehensive restoration
- Body lifted off chassis
- Components were taken apart, cleaned, inspected and restored or replaced
- Mechanical overhaul including brakes and differential
- Interior refinished with correct materials and patterns
- Last year for the 384 CI inline 8-cylinder engine
- Rated at 150 HP
- Engine no. 757663
- 3-speed manual transmission
- 4-wheel drum brakes with vacuum assist
- Goddess of Speed mascot
- 139 inch wheelbase
- Dual side mount spares with metal cases
- Accessory mirrors mounted on spare cases
- Chrome wire wheels
- Wide Whitewall tires
One of only two 1936 Packard Super Eight Dual Cowl Sport Phaetons known to exist, this one has been awarded both Best American Classic and Best in Class at the Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance. Having undergone a comprehensive, five-year restoration, the body was lifted off the chassis and components were taken apart, cleaned, inspected and restored or replaced as needed. The car received a mechanical overhaul including the brakes and differential. The interior was restored with correct materials and patterns. The body was sprayed a rich red-burgundy color and detailed with a golden pinstripe which blends well with the tan top and interior.
Rated at 150 HP, the inline 8-cylinder engine is No. 757663 and displaces 384 CI; 1936 marked the final year for this engine. A 3-speed manual transmission with a floor-mounted shifter feeds power to the rear wheels and 4-wheel drum brakes with vacuum assist help ease the 139-inch wheelbase car down from speed. Highly optioned, the car is equipped with dual side-mount spares with metal cases and accessory mirrors atop, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewall tires, the Goddess of Speed mascot, twin spotlights, a luggage rack and, of course, dual cowls. Formerly owned by collectors Dave Kane and Tom Crook, professional golfer Gene Littler was also once a caretaker of this Phaeton.
It’s easy to see why these cars would command such a premium price; not only are they exceedingly rare and important cars, but the attention to detail and level of quality is truly outstanding. Of course, that was a Packard hallmark: high standards. Much like the rest of this car, the dashboard is a work of art—a slab of wood grain with silver-lined gauges set within an oval cluster amidships between twin gloveboxes. Under the hood, the signature green engine glows with silver and black detailing abounding like jewels encrusting a larger gem.
The Super Eight line was comprised of the 1403, 1404 and 1405 Series with wheelbases ranging from 132-inches to 144-inches, the same as used for the Packard 12s. Designed with the new, inclined grille and refreshed fenders, the new cars were quietly styled with inspiration from Ray Dietrich, who kept a close relationship with Packard over the years. Certainly one of the most important Packards in the world, it’s sadly ironic that the rough times brought on by the Great Depression largely helped to create rarities such as this. Most couldn’t afford clothes, let alone something as extravagant as a car costing about $5,000.
As such, cars like this Dual Cowl Phaeton, which would normally be a relatively low-production vehicle, saw even lower than normal production numbers creating a vacuum for the future. This one, with its extensive restoration, lively color combination and being one of two known to exist is a truly inimitable opportunity to obtain unobtainium. Don’t ask the man who owns one—become the person with the answer.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/346396/1936-packard-super-eight-1404-dual-cowl-sport-phaeton/
