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Searching for 1939 Packard Convertible (Model 1700, Subclass 1289) to purchase

This particular 1939 Packard Six Convertible Coupe (Model 1700, Body Style 1289) was purchased by my
father and originally delivered to Citizen's Motor Car Company in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1939. I am
trying to locate this vehicle or a similar one. Maybe someone has information about its history or current whereabouts.
Identifying details:
- VIN starts with: 1289
- Last four digits likely between 2000-3500
- Data plate would show original delivery to Cincinnati
This photo shows the car around the time it was originally owned. If you recognize this vehicle, know
someone who might have owned it, or are aware of its current location, please get in touch.

I examined this photo and your dad's Packard was actually a 1938 model (16th Series) Six and not a 1939 (17th Series). The hood sides differ between the two years/series. The 1938 hood sides had straight louvres while the louvres on the 1939's were scallop shaped. The '39 hood sides on the Six also had thin chrome trim strips above and below the side louvres which were not used on the '38's.

See the photo of my (former) 1939 Six which was taken from about the same angle as the photo you posted of your dad's car.

There are some other noticeable differences between the 1938 and 1939 Packards, including:

Transmission: '38's still used the floor shifter whereas the '39's were the first year for column shift (Packard called it Handi-Shift, but in my experience, it was anything but. I hated it).

Dashboard and garnish molding color: The dashboard and garnish moldings were painted a silver color in the '38's. In the '39's they were wood-grained.

Taillight assemblies: The '38 taillights had a red glass jewel set on top of the housing. These were removed for 1939. 1939 and 1940 Junior model Packards use the same taillight assemblies.

Upholstery pattern. Packard typically changed its interior design every series or model year and there are significant differences between 1938 and 1939. The 1938 interiors used a rather plain pattern for the seat cushions, with only a few horizontal lines stitched into the upper seat backs. The 1939 models had wide pleats in both the upper and lower seat cushions.

There are some other differences between the 16th and 17th series cars, but these are the major ones.

Regarding finding a car, both 1938 and 1939 Six Convertible Coupes are extremely scarce, with the 1938's being even scarcer. I do not recall ever seeing a 1938 in person, though I have seen one or two online over the years. As you know, I did own a '39 until quite recently and have seen a few others. There was an exceptionally nice one I saw in the Hershey car corral a number of years ago which was an AACA National Award winner.

Wish you luck in your search. Just watch out for rust. The Packards from these years typically have significant rust issues and more than a few of the ones I have looked at, including mine, were loaded with bondo. But before I bought mine, I found another '39 Six that was even worse. This car literally had more bondo than body. In some places, the fenders were several inches thick!

Attach file:

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  1939_Six_Conv_sideview1.jpg (2,754.42 KB)

Thanks for the info. I had speculated that it could be a 1938, but didn't have specifics to discern.