Packard Forum Index » General

I am working on purchasing a 1936 120B or 1937 120C and would like to have a car in an originally offered color scheme. I may ultimately repaint the car I purchase to such a scheme of my choosing. PackardInfo.com and other sources have been helpful in providing the solid colors, pin-striping and wheel color combos avail from the factory. However I understand some two color combos, maroon over black fenders, cream over brown fenders etc. were also available. I also understand some of the colors offered as pin stripe colors could be had as body colors as well.

Could anyone recommend where I might be able to find more info on the two-tone and special color options avail in 1936 and 1937.

Many thanks,
Dave Ritter

You may want to check this one as well. There is a Packard letter at the end of this that explains a lot of paint detail. Not sure if this may help or not.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SW_Enamels.pdf

The "120" (and it's lesser companion 110) were pure volume production cars and unlike the seniors, deviations from standard were very few and far between. Probably the best source for really good info on them can be found in Darvin Kuehl's fine book "The Production Packard 1935-1937". As I recall 2-tone paint was not offered, nor for that matter was any "special" paint outside the factory offerings - though it was still available on the senior car line. I'm not absolutely certain on this but reasonably confident that 2-tone paint was not offered on any Packards after 1934 and not again until 1940 or 1941; IMO and that of many others they just don't have the body lines to attractively support 2-toning. Again just MO but 2-tone cars of this vintage all too often look awkward, sometimes even garish.

Lot's of great single colors to chose from, my recommendation is to stay with a single body color plus the appropriate pin stripe.

G'day Dave(ritterdm),
to PackardInfo. The Flackmaster, usually located in Texas but currently in NZ enjoying their Packard National Rally, is our 36/37 120's resident expert, and would most likely be able to give a definitive answer. Hopefully he'll see your post and respond. However when, not if, you purchase a'36 120B or '37 120C I invite you to include it in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Very helpful. Thx.

This was my sense as well. My mechanic and I have looked at several solid cars recently. We saw one very strong one in a two tone scheme, which I suspect was not originally offered.

here is a color chip for the 37 Packards. No two tone options listed, but quite a variety of color. I think the 41 models where the first ones in that era for two toning, and they weren't very common even then.

autocolorlibrary.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1937-Packard-pg01.jpg

The wrap around beltline trim of the 41's sets up two toning. It was featured in ads a lot. On the 37's it seems to fight the streamlining efforts

Dave(ritterdm),
Congratulations on your purchase and for including your '37 One Twenty Convertible Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry. Looks very nice.