According to a report filed by some of the top Packard historians in the country, such as Richard Langworth, Bob Turnquist and Don Figone, fewer than 150 Packard Darrins were produced between 1937 and 1942. Of those, just 11 Convertible Sedans were constructed and 10 are known to survive today, making this 1940 Packard Custom Super Eight 180 Convertible Sedan a rare and seldom-seen automobile.
Known history of this custom-coachwork Packard began when it was delivered new to a Packard dealer in Evanston, IL, per its firewall tag. Retailing for a staggering $6,300, it was purchased by a Chicagoland resident. By 1951, this Packard Darrin would make its way to the West Coast, where it was stored on a peanut farm in Arvin, CA. It would stay in storage until 1967, when Dr. Richard Steiner of Torrance, CA, stumbled upon it and instantly fell in love. Knowing the importance of this vehicle, he purchased it with the intent to restore.
During his time researching the car, he would get oversight and guidance from a nearby Santa Monica resident, Mr. Howard “Dutch” Darrin himself. Dr. Steiner would finish the restoration in 1994 and on June 8, 1995, it would make its debut at the Classic Car Club of America California Grand Classic, where it scored an impressive 98 out of 100 points. Shortly after, this Packard Darrin garnered its CCCA Senior badge, number 1898, which is still proudly affixed to the cowl.
It was sold in May 1996 to well-known collector, the late Otis Chandler. A gem in his storied collection of prized pre-war classics, it would be sold in 2003 to a known West Coast collector, who would then sell it to the collection of the late Richard Kughn. A favorite among the Detroit-based collection, the Kughns would show this special Packard at numerous concours, including Meadow Brook and Amelia Island. In 2010, it would add to its award list by capturing its CCCA Premier honors with a first place at the Michigan Grand Classic. In 2014, this Super-Eight 180 Convertible Sedan would find a new home in the collection of John O. Bohmer, who had a focus on Full Classics, and retained this Packard until it was sold along with his estate in 2023.
Today, this Laguna Maroon Custom Packard still presents very well. Not only is it a seldom-seen example because of its low production, it is elegantly equipped with various original period accessories, which include bumper guards, driving lights, an under-dash heater, a radio, a backup light and the desirable Econo-Drive overdrive. Equipped with a nicely sorted 160-horsepower, 356-cubic-inch L-head straight-8 engine and 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive, it presents as an ideal choice for CCCA CARavan events and tours.
