Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hello Packard Enthusiasts! I am looking for mainly photographic evidence suggesting what options were available in the late 1930s to early 1940s. I understand that things like foglights, heaters, and possibly window shades were but I'm looking for more interesting and possibly less popular ones, or not commonly seen. I have a 39' Club Coupe and its fitted with antennas under the running boards, a somewhat strange if not incorrect option or accessory in my opinion, especially because my car does not feature a radio. Any help with this search will be greatly appreciated. Also any period 1930s photos or links is appreciated as well, I'm having a hard time finding what I'm looking for on google. Thanks again!

You might start getting familiar with the accessories by browsing the factory accessory catalogs. Many are on this site in the Literature and Manuals section.

The accessory catalog shows some of the accessories, but not all. More "extra cost" equipment can be found in the Salesman's Data book. Here's the accessory catalog.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/1939_AccessoryBrochure.pdf

Hey Russell,

Welcome to the 'Wide World of Packard'! I have a '39 Six, so I mostly 'traffic' in info related to that year, but one option that isn't seen that often is a tach where the clock goes. I forget who I was communicating with that had one; they said it was 'quite rare'.

Quote:

The tach was something the dealer ordered and installed on demonstration cars to show buyers how much the overdrive transmission reduced engine speed. It wasn't an "accessory" option for the end user.

G'day Russell Harmon,
to PackardInfo and for including your '39 One Twenty Club Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Here's a link to some '39 tacho info.

There are at least two '39's here in Australia with under running board radio aerials and both have radios! Pic's below are from the '39 110 Convertible Coupe.

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Thanks for all the info!

I studied the accessory catalog and saw the antennas, it even mentions how they are not as efficient. Nice to see what it looks like on someone else's car though. Mine are dry rotted and falling so I need to remove them.

The tach is very interesting! I never would've imagined a 39'(or any) Packard with a tach! But I can see how it was a marketing thing for dealers to demonstrate the new "econo drive"

The accessory catalog was also helpful in that I bought a Unity Packard spotlight mirror for my car but I now see it would be incorrect. I believe it was from a postwar Packard. I still may install it but for now I cant bring myself to drill the holes in the A pillar to mount it. It's almost sort of a what if I don't like it deal, I cannot undo it. It's something I will have to think about more

Surfing through the site looking for ideas and came across this thread. I the tachometer option in my glove box, couple of photos are attached. I had posted these previously as well

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