Re: The Duchess Project: 1940 Super 8 Convertible Sedan

Posted by West Peterson On 2010/11/10 9:10:09

Joe
If you're a stickler for authenticity, the air cleaner looks to be correct for a 1941-47 models. Also, your license plate light lens looks to be for a 1939. I was told that the 1940 lenses shouldn't say "PACKARD" on it.

Perhaps Jim Hollingsworth would know why, but I have seen two types of trunk handles used on 1940 Packards (too many cases to assume one is correct and one isn't). Your car seems to have the type that I more often associate with the 1941-42 models, as opposed to a "T" handle. My car is a very, very late car (highest serial number known in its body style), and it has a "T" handle, so it doesn't seem like it's a case where they started using the newer handle at the end of the run. It might have something to do with the car originally being fitted with a trunk rack or not.???

In regards to your dilemma of using or not using the trunk rack, does that mean you have two different sets of bumper brackets as well? Cars without trunk racks had much shorter (at least 6 inches) bumper brackets so the bumper didn't stick so far out the back.

It is my opinion (for whatever that's worth) the car looks much more attractive with the luggage rack on. Usually I don't care for a lot of accessories, but I do like the trunk rack. And more surprising, I think the added optional "bumper" on top of the trunk rack looks good, too.