1937 Packard Super Eight Convertible Sedan

This 1937 Packard Super 8 Convertible Sedan is absolutely gorgeous example and was a previous national award winning Full Classic. By 1937, most of Packard's American luxury automaker contemporaries, such as Duesenberg, Auburn, Cord, Pierce-Arrow, Peerless, Marmon, and Stutz, had succumbed to the poor economic conditions brought on by the Great Depression or would fail very soon. However, 1937 was a remarkable year for Packard! The luxury American automaker was seemingly on the up and up, after having a strong rebound from the economic effects of the Great Depression in the early half of the decade. Part of Packard's rebound was thanks to Packard's entry into the mid-level car market, which made the high-end Packard's more affordable and thus attainable to the average consumer. Packard's 1937 passenger car lineup was essentially divided into two categories, the Junior Packards consisting of the 115 and 120, and the Senior Packards consisting of the Super Eight and the Twelve. When the 1937 Super 8 was introduced in September 1936, they were loaded with technological and stylistic updates. One technological improvement in 1937 was the addition of Safe-T-Flex independent front suspension, which made for a smoother ride. Additionally, Packard introduced hydraulic drum brakes in '37 Fifteenth Series, which provided additional stopping power especially over the mechanical braking systems used in previous generations. Stylistically, the 15th Series Super Eight also sported newly redesigned front and rear bumpers, along with a new front grille and radiator that were now raked back 30 degrees. Packard also moved the front door hinges from the rear to the front, thereby removing the front suicide doors found in the previous two Packard series. In total, Packard produced a total of only 5,793 Super Eight models in 1937 which makes this particular Super 8 Convertible a very rare automobile. This particular 1937 Packard Super Eight underwent an extensive award-winning restoration winning National First Place Prize Awards in Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), Classic Car Club of America (CCCA), and The Packard Club's Packard Automobile Classic national competitions. Powering this '37 Super 8 is a 320 Cubic Inch Straight 8 cylinder engine fed by a single barrel carburetor that together were said to have created 135 horsepower when new. The 320 Inline 8 is mated to a 3 speed manual transmission that is shifted using a floor mounted shifter. Exhaust exits the L-Head Packard powerplant via single exhaust port that generates a nice throaty sound at idle or while cruising down the road. This 1937 Packard Convertible is nicely appointed with options. Equipped with dual covered sidemounted spare tires, each topped with a chrome outside mirror, this Packard Super 8 has a truly upscale, Pre-War look and squeezing in and out of tight parking spaces is also made much easier thanks to the chrome mirrors. At the nose, a pair of bumper guards adorn the front bumper further elevating the exterior appearance of this CCCA Full Classic. Mounted above the bumper guards are a pair of Trippe driving lights that improve visibility when taking this beautiful 1937 Packard Super 8 on a cruise at dusk or nighttime. Riding on a set of wide whitewall bias-ply tires mounted on painted steel wheels, each accented with beauty rings and a chrome Super 8 hubcap, this '37 Super Eight Convertible has an outstanding look. This 1937 Packard Super 8 also comes outfitted with a rear mounted luggage rack so that you can take all of your belongings with you on an overnight cruise or multi-day CCCA CARavan. The beige cloth convertible top is in excellent shape and it is raised and lowered manually. The exterior chrome and brightwork around the exterior of this 1937 Packard is in wonderful condition as well and further adds to the high level of restoration of this particular vehicle. The steel body has been refinished in beautiful Black paint and is a