This particular Packard was imported to Australia as RHD (most probably from Canada) and fitted with a Richards (South Australia) body. The body is identical to those fitted to the Studebaker President Eight in Australia. The Packard was exhibited at the 1938 Adelaide Motor Show by Sporting Cars Limited. It was then sold as a demonstrator to a New South Wales doctor. I purchased the Packard in 1972 with 80,000 genuine miles and it still had the Packard san-tex seat covers on. The car has 120,000 miles on it now. The main differences to a 38 Packard body is that the Australian body is 200lbs heavier, has hidden boot hinges, smaller rear windows, door handles on the body belt line and a 1946 slope to the windshield. The die cast door and window gearboxes are also very prone to seizing.
This vehicle is very unusual and a bit of a mystery as the Packard Formal Sedan was normally on a 1604 chassis. There is a theory that as there were about 100 1603 Super Eights unsold when the 17th Series arrived, some of these may have been fitted with formal attire to help the model run-out sale. This vehicle was partially restored in 1964 and has almost 90,0000 miles from original. A very nice car to drive on trips but the 4.69 axle ratio means 55mph is ok but over 60 mph is unkind to the motor.
This car is one of about 50 Australian Bodied Packards made by T J Richards of South Australia. The original engine was beyond repair so I fitted a post-war 327 and R6 overdrive. The R6 overdrive uses the 1938 gearbox top and performs as well as a 53 sedan.
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03/21/2007 5:35
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