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By the front bumper, bumper guards, and the front fenders I believe that car is a 1937 138 CD, a stretched version of the 120. The "D" in the model name stood for Deluxe because they came with sidemounts and trunk racks, which Packard refers to as deluxe equipment. This car is unusual in that the entire radiator shell/front apron is chrome plated. I've never seen this listed as a factory option or accessory, so this was probably done post-manufacture and just may be a one-off treatment. The car looks to be in exceptionally good shape as a then-20 year old car. I wonder if its still somewhere in Scandinavia today.

Don, thanks for your thoughts. I agree, the chromed front looks unusual. Here comes a photograph, taken in Russia around the 1980s (note: splitted window)




Dave (O_D) annotated 2011/4/20:
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The Packard in the movie features retrofitted turn signals. The pics below are from IMCDB.org.

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We've seen these photos before but here are 2 more with the chrome shell, one in Russia and the other in Sweden. To each his own - I personally don't care for it.

Yes Don, you're right, not a senior. What can I blame my mistake on?

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".....not a senior. What can I blame my mistake on?"

Dave,
Dare I say it, senior moment!

To me the chromed grille surround and splash panels are just a bit too much. I think a more attractive approach would have been to paint the splash panels body color. This would emphasize the grille, but not over power the front with too much chrome. This would be similar to what Cadillac did with their '39 and '40 models. Just my opinion...

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John (JW), sometimes photographs fail to have the desired effect. I believe, we have to look at the real cars to "understand" the design idea and to form an ultimate opinion.
Here are two more photos, taken in Moscow in 1978.


[pictures source: autopilot.ru]

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Thanks for the additional photo. Still think the plated splash panels are too much.

(o{}o)

Hi

You're absolutely right JW, the chrome-plated radiator shell and splash panels are way too much chrome. It might be a bit more palatable if the splash panels were painted body color.

Any after the '32-'33 models look gauche with chrome-plated radiator shell and splash panels, smack of the newly-rich, look-at-me-I-got-bucks crowd. Having a Senior Packard was more than enough to let the public know the owner was well-healed. But, EGB was in business to sell motorcars, even to those with questionable taste.

Steve

I disagree. It looks quite stately. And adds some pizzazz. Too bad the rear looks plain in comparison. Add a little chrome there too. I did not grow up looking at these however.


Buick sweep spear fan.

That rad shell tipped to the driver side on that 44-40 car IS irking me though.