1938 1608 Kellner Torpedo Cabriolet
Posted by JWL On 2008/12/26 19:10:25
Over the holiday, I got to thinking about an unusual pre-war custom coachwork Packard. Here are the results of my efforts.
Attached are photos of the 1938 Packard 1608 Kellner Torpedo-Cabriolet currently being exhibited at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville, California. It is interesting because the body is from a mid-1930s Renault Suprastella Torpedo by Kellner of Paris, France.
The story goes the owner felt the need for a new automobile as her Renault was beginning to show its age. However, she had become fond of the Renault's body and interior, and did not want to part with them. She satisfied both needs by having the Renault body and the Packard chassis married. The Packard photos do not do justice to the wrap around green house of the passenger compartment. There are windows with narrow frames on the front and sides. The photo of a Renault similar to the donor car show this feature better. This design does not provide the most privacy. The interior is gorgeous, with brocade fabric and burled wood for the hard surfaces. The interior of the exterior mounted trunk is also finished with the same material as the passenger compartment.
A Rene Lalique "Vicorie" radiator grill ornament is a stunning feature. I have not seen this Packard featured in any of the books I have read covering the marque. The big Renault is not widely known.
Enjoy.
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Attached are photos of the 1938 Packard 1608 Kellner Torpedo-Cabriolet currently being exhibited at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville, California. It is interesting because the body is from a mid-1930s Renault Suprastella Torpedo by Kellner of Paris, France.
The story goes the owner felt the need for a new automobile as her Renault was beginning to show its age. However, she had become fond of the Renault's body and interior, and did not want to part with them. She satisfied both needs by having the Renault body and the Packard chassis married. The Packard photos do not do justice to the wrap around green house of the passenger compartment. There are windows with narrow frames on the front and sides. The photo of a Renault similar to the donor car show this feature better. This design does not provide the most privacy. The interior is gorgeous, with brocade fabric and burled wood for the hard surfaces. The interior of the exterior mounted trunk is also finished with the same material as the passenger compartment.
A Rene Lalique "Vicorie" radiator grill ornament is a stunning feature. I have not seen this Packard featured in any of the books I have read covering the marque. The big Renault is not widely known.
Enjoy.
Attach file:
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