1935 Packard 8 Unknown

In the 1930s, anyone who was anyone owned a Packard. Their magical blend of luxury, engineering, and performance are still legendary, and cars like this 1935 Eight convertible sedan are near the top of every collectors wish list. Now with modern Chevy power and reliability, you can truly have the best of both worlds. This particular Packard is a curious mix of original and modern components, with what appears to be a factory convertible sedan body with fiberglass fenders and running boards. The illusion is quite good, and the car will fool almost anyone this side of a Packard expert and until you knock your knuckles on the fenders, youll never know the difference. Its a truly massive machine and the convertible sedan is at once practical with its roll-up windows and rakish with a stunning top-down profile that belongs in a ticker-tape parade. Finish work is up to the standards that youd expect from a senior Packard, with four doors that fit well and glossy paint that will look great on the show field or on tour. Dual sidemounts make it look that much more impressive, along with a rear-mounted trunk that adds valuable storage capacity. Correct chrome bumpers, Trippe lights, and thermostatically-controlled radiator shutters add to the visual eye-candy. The interior also offers a convincing combination of authenticity and modern convenience. The tan leather seats and door panels look straight out of the 30s with a lot of attention paid to getting the patterns right. Original garnish moldings and hardware help the illusion and all the controls on the dash, including the steering wheel and gauges, are original Packard items. Even the under-dash heater is an accessory unit thats still hooked up and functional. The shifter looks like a Packard piece, but now controls a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission that makes for effortless high-speed cruising. In back, theres commodious legroom and a divider window between the front and rear sections is not only a rare option, but a functional one, too. The tan canvas top probably requires two or three people to raise or lower, but its worth it because it stacks neatly behind the seat for a sporty open-air look. Its worth the effort, I promise. The original Packard straight-8, while torquey, smooth, and reliable, just cant compare with the rock-solid reliability and easy servicing of the Chevy 350 that now lives under the Packards long hood. Built to replicate the Packards effortless performance and buttery-smooth acceleration, it offers a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, HEI ignition system, and a set of custom headers that feed a muted dual exhaust system. A few shiny pieces plus braided hose covers dress it up, but if you want to maintain this Packards cover, dont lift the hood. The chassis appears to be pretty much as Packard engineers envisioned, although power steering and brakes are welcome additions to such a big machine. But in a nod to the original equipments durability, thats the original Packard differential out back, and combined with the overdrive transmission, it provides outstanding performance at any speed. Original Packard wire wheels were retained as well, now wearing correct 7.00-17 Firestone wide whites for a true 1930s look. Purists will gasp, but if you have always dreamed of a major Packard that you could drive every day, this is it. Call today! This vehicle is located in our Atlanta showroom. For more information, please call (678) 279-1609 or toll free (877) 367-1835.