Each month American Collectors highlights a new and rare vehicle, this month is the 1935 Packard 1204 Super Eight Convertible Coupe. The Coupe is A AACA National First Prize winning Convertible Coupe. The largest Packard built in 1935. One of two known cars with the rare dual-windshield option. Just 62,000 miles on the odometer.
In response to the Great Depression and a slowing economy, Packard introduced the medium-priced One-Twenty model. The tactic worked pretty well, and soon a healthy cash flow poured in from vehicle sales. Their flagship coach-built Twelve was still a powerful and prestigious car, but carried a price tag to match. Few individuals can part with necessary funds to purchase the upscale Twelve, only 700 units were produced.
By 1935, in between the Packard Twelve and the low-end One-Twenty models were the Eight and Super Eight models. These two series were offered with nearly identical ranges of body styles. These models had primary differences being the engines offered and the wheelbase sizes. The Eight had its purpose and outsold the luxurious Super Eight by a factor of three to one. Perhaps due to their indistinguishable visual differences, but today, that just makes a Super Eight like this fine example all the more rare. After restoration, this fine Super Eight Convertible Coupe was featured on the cover in Volume 33 of the Packard magazine “The Cormorant”.
It is a sleek and impressive car for 1935, and the Model 1204 was the largest Packard Super Eight model available. The Packard had a wheelbase measuring 139-inches, fitted with a larger, 384 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder engine capable of producing 150 horsepower.
The open bodied cars were constructed by the Murray Corporation of America and equipped with the Road-Leveler suspension. Documents accompanying the Convertible Coupe indicate that this example has just the 62,000 miles on the odometer from new.
This rare Convertible Coupe is one of just 2 known with a unique dual-windshield design, where a full windscreen with wind wings could be raised in front of the rumble seat passengers. This car has been well preserved over passing years, with all of its authentic details intact and cosmetics pleasingly presented.
The Jade Green paint holds a rich shine, with the cream beige leather interior providing a fine contrast. Even the door panels are leather with real wood trim, and the fabric top us clean and fits well. Accessory equipment on the car includes covered dual side-mounted spares, a Packard luggage trunk, and correct painted wire wheels in wide whitewall tires. It earned the coveted AACA National First Prize Award in 1997, which attests to the skill and accuracy of the restoration process.
This immaculate Super Eight Convertible Coupe would be a splendid addition to any collection of Packards as it is delivered in accurate condition with significant documentation of both ownership and the restoration process. With a fresh motor and a rare and unique body style, this Model 1204 will be an enjoyable car for top-down participation in CARavans and Packard club activities, or simply for cruising along the country roads near your home. With classic elegance and one of the sleekest profiles of any Packard produced in the era, this rare prize winning Convertible Coupe captures the true spirit of the era, and has earned a spot in one of the finest collections in the country.
384.4 cu. in. L-head inline eight-cylinder engine, 150 HP, three-speed manual transmission, solid front and rear axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes, 139” wheelbase.
