Stunning six-figure refurbishment by D&D Classic Auto. Massive 139-inch wheelbase, first year independent front suspension, first year hydraulic brakes. Fantastic road car ready to tour. Just beautiful inside and out.
According to records that accompany the car, this beautiful 1937 Packard 1502 convertible sedan has a fascinating history behind it. Originally sold through the legendary Earle C. Anthony distributorship in Los Angeles (yes, the data plate is a reproduction, but this car also carries an original Earle C. Anthony maintenance tag on the firewall), it is rumored that this car has spent time in India and Italy before being repatriated in the early 2000s. In 2007 the car was stripped to bare metal with panel alignment by Clayton Restorations and fresh Pomeranian Red paint was applied by Cedar Hawks. A new leather interior and fresh top were installed by Duncan & Sons Upholstery with the top alone costing about $5000. In 2019, the car was delivered to D&D Classic Auto in Dayton, Ohio where another $132,000 in restoration work was performed, including repainting and striping all six wheels, installing six new Firestone whitewall tires, correctly fitting the metal sidemount covers, and detailing the engine with correct Packard olive green paint. Additional work included refinishing much of the chrome, rebuilding the clock, rebuilding the carburetor, re-coring the radiator, re-casting the steering wheel, rebuilding the power brake booster, and much more. The goal was a roadworthy tour car that could show well in club events and in that regard, they succeeded. The car is just gorgeous in person!
The interior wears eight hides of glove soft light tan leather that were supplied by a previous owner, with the bill for just the labor coming in at over $9000. The gauges were all rebuilt and are operational today. Dark brown carpets provide some contrast and the burled woodgraining on the dash and garnish moldings is beautifully done. The newly cast steering wheel is correct with the only real demerit being some tarnishing on the chrome horn button (which has been clear-coated so it cannot be polished without first being stripped). Turn signals were added during the most recent service at D&D. The upholstery is in excellent condition and has the kind of sumptuous luxury for which Packard was justifiably famous-this certainly feels like a very expensive, high-end car from behind the wheel. Thanks to the massive wheelbase, rear seat accommodations are spacious and it includes a storage compartment built into the back of the front seat back. The top fits beautifully and a new wooden top bow was fabricated by D&D to replace one that had been damaged in the past. The trunk is fully upholstered to match and there are no signs of corrosion issues underneath the carpet. This car obviously lived in a warm, dry climate most of its life.
The 320 cubic inch Packard straight-8 really needs no introduction. Impeccably smooth and torquey, it moved some of the greatest sheetmetal of the 1930s. This engine was built sometime prior to the paint and upholstery work and was freshened by D&D with a head-off service and new, correct Packard Green engine enamel. New acorn nuts were installed on the head, the carburetor was rebuilt, the water pump, generator and starter were rebuilt and detailed, and theres a new wiring harness from Potomac Packard. The car starts easily, idles smoothly once its warmed up, and pulls itself down the road with the kind of effortless ease youd expect, although it remains a very large automobile. It is content to cruise at 50-55 MPH, making it an excellent tour vehicle, and a new exhaust system gives it just the right hushed burble at idle. The 3-speed manual transmission offers smooth shifts and easy clutch action with no chatter and the rebuilt brakes are powerful. Steering is light, although the bias-ply tires make it wander just a bit on rutted surfaces, which is typical. Theres also an NOS gas tank in back and six 7.50-16 Firestone wide whitewall tires, as original.
Documentation is extensive, including a huge file of receipts, ownership history and dates, historical documentation, brochures, owners booklets, shop manuals, and much, much more. Receipts and photos of all the recent work at D&D are of particular interest, showing just how extensively this car was serviced. Other extras include a large cache of spare parts, including a spare generator, filters, gaskets, and other useful items.
For those enthusiasts who understand the special place a 1937 Packard holds in that companys history, this is a wonderful find. Roadworthy and impressive, its a delight to viewers and passengers alike. It embodies all that made Packard the pinnacle of the American automobile industry in the 1930s and delivers on the legend. And thanks to all the recent work, its ready for a new owner to enjoy. Call today!
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