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

Have a trunk marked as a Packard trunk. At first I was convinced it was fake, but the musty smell from the interior could mean that it's real. The fitting seem too bright and contemporary to the rest of the item. The wood seems age-appropriate, but oddly positioned to me.

The Packard badge is blue.

Martin K. O'Toole
Marietta, Georgia

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Here's the trunk in a wider view.

Martin K. O'Toole
Marietta, Georgia

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The label sure looks appropriate. Looking at a few accessory catalogs of the 30's, I see curved top trunks and fitted square suitcases. In your pictures, the trunk looks more squared so will be interesting to hear from those in the know whether they think it is real and what year and model it might be used on.

One of the several types of "K" trunks Packard offered, most probably from the years between 1932 and 1936. Mfd by the Kam-Lee Company. There were also several interior configurations.

I'll try again. I note that I have been upgraded to "not to shy to talk," so permit me to babble away.

The educational quality of this forum is splendid. The link provided by Guscha makes clear that my trunk is the first one listed. One thing that troubled me is that the locks and hinge opened apparently upward. This seemed to design that would invite water leakage in bad weather.

The interior does show the Diamond "K" mentioned in an IM to me.

So it appears correct, but should have been sold between 1931 - 1936 if the link is correct; too early for my 1940 as a dealer supplied item. Maybe I can fantasize that I saved it when I traded in my 1934 V-12 convertible sedan? :)

Martin K. O'Toole
Marietta, Georgia

Hi Martin: I'm not sure what else you're looking for. As I mentioned earlier in response to your question, you have a Kam-Lee trunk, sold by Packard as well as other prestige car manufacturers, factory or dealer installed, and appropriate to approximately 1932 thru 1936. In those years several styles were offered, both top-opening and back-drop-down, with different internal configurations of suitcases and hatboxes. Yes, the liner should be blue, as in the (lousy) photo below.

There are two pages in the 1934 Accessory Catalog devoted to trunks, also attached.

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Owen:

Not looking for anything now. I am confirming that the excellent informational sources have satisfied me. Sorry if I did not make myself clearer.

Martin K. O'Toole
Marietta, Georgia

Martin
The other thing(s) you'll need if you want to use a trunk on your car: You'll quickly notice that with the accessory trunk on the rack, you will no longer be able to open your regular trunk. Packard offered a set of folding brackets that allowed you to swing the trunk forward, allowing you to open the regular trunk. You may need to "rig" up your own brackets, though, as the original brackets are scarce.
In my opinion, though, the accessory trunk does absolutely nothing for the looks of the car. I would only put it on when touring (your regular trunk should suffice, though), or if you just want to show it off as a novelty.