Re: A genuine Darrin restored with a Viper engine?

Posted by su8overdrive On 2012/10/20 23:49:04

We're all in accord that the EBay "Darrin" street rod is an abomination, there being a 10/16 thread on this same car on the For Sale/Wanted/Trade forum here. But before someone croaks from apoplexy, let me assure you that, according to Don Figone, who knows as much about Packard Darrins as anyone on this planet, the EBay monstrosity was cobbled from a "Packard Re-in-Car-Nation," Seattle faux Darrin to being with. No living Darrins were harmed in the making of this movi--- bowel movement.

Don's owned several Darrins over the years, including today a quietly stunning '40 One-Eighty victoria, black over black with gray interior, blackwalls, no fog nor driving lights which you never saw in the day anyway, no gargoyle atop hood, just basic baled feather ornamnent. The epitome of Darrin as luxe road car it was intended to be. A master's automobile in anyone's lexicon. You see the alluring car, not the usual baubles. Again, less is more and if only more car folk, Packardians among them, realized this.

I've been after him to post his Darrin, as well as his '42 One-Sixty convertible coupe, a mint original, always pampered jewel he's owned since buying it from the original owner in 1967;
and his crisp maroon '40 One-Twenty convertible coupe on the Owner Registry here. Don's '42 One-Sixty drophead was sold new to a woman high in the Red Cross in 1943. 115,000 miles and only the timing chain's been replaced. At idle, all you hear is the breeze from the fan.

Have to admit i used to secretly covet Darrins, but after driving one of the 15 '42 One-Eighty victorias 60 or so miles, the seating position ergonomics, well, 'tis a personal preference. You sit nearly on the floor, and feel like you're slithering down the road with your feet out nearly straight before you. But then, i passed on an XK-140 FHC and A-H 3000 for much the same reason, as well as the usual English bedevilments.

Of course, Packard Darrins were made to be seen in
as much or more than to drive, so we're not telling tales out of school that the cars straight from East Grand are better automobiles.

But the 1938-40 Darrins, lovely to look at it, and makes you wonder why Packard didn't "Darrinize" the entire 1940 line up. They did a year and a half later with the sleek, tasteful Clipper, but by then, GM's skillful marketing of their 85th-percentile, but glitzy Buicks and Cadillacs, had begun to turn Packard's tide.