This 1937 Packard Super Eight is a model 1502 convertible sedan that is said to have undergone a refurbishment prior to being purchased by its current owner seven years ago. Finished in green over tan leather, the car is powered by a 320ci L-head inline-eight that breathes through a dual-throat downdraft carburetor and is mated to a three-speed manual transmission. Additional features include vacuum-assisted hydraulic drum brakes, Safe-T-Flex independent front suspension, 16” body-color wheels, dual side-mount spares, a beige convertible top, and a radio.
Packard’s 15th series lineup was introduced in September 1936 and was highlighted by the addition of hydraulic brakes and independent front suspension as well as redesigned bumpers and a radiator canted 30° rearward. One of three wheelbase choices in the Super Eight lineup, the 1502 model rode on a 139” wheelbase and was offered in six different body configurations, including this example’s style 1063 four-door convertible sedan coachwork.
The body wears an older repaint in green with straw yellow coachlining and features a beige convertible top that can be stowed under a matching boot. Features include forward-hinged doors, a body-color radiator shell, thermostatically controlled grille shutters, a cormorant radiator mascot, an integrated trunk, and a fold-down rear luggage rack.
Body-color steel wheels wear chrome beauty rings and hubcaps and are wrapped in 7.50-16 Denman wide-whitewall tires, while matching side-mount spares are housed under body-color covers that host side mirrors. Stopping is handled by hydraulic drum brakes with assistance from a vacuum servo.
The cabin is trimmed in tan tufted leather over a front bench seat with fore and aft adjustment as well as over the rear bench, door panels, and rear side panels. Additional features include color-keyed carpeting, black rubber floor mats, woodgrain door accents, roll-up windows, dual lockable gloveboxes, a rear robe rope, and a fold-down rear armrest.
The banjo-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a woodgrain dash that houses a 120-mph speedometer, a clock, a rotary-dial radio, and gauges monitoring fuel level, coolant temperature, amperage, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 81k miles.
The 320ci inline-eight features nine main bearings, a detachable cylinder head, and a dual-throat Stromberg downdraft carburetor for a factory-rated output of 135 horsepower. Service in preparation for the sale included an oil change and the replacement of the battery.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. The Safe-T-Flex coil-sprung front suspension comprises upper A-arms mounted to lever-arm hydraulic shock absorbers and wide-angle lower A-arms formed by control and torque arms, while the solid-axle rear suspension features leaf springs and lever-arm hydraulic shock absorbers.
Engine number 399089 is shown stamped on the block and is used as the identification number on the title.
