1936 Packard Eight Phaeton To Be Auctioned

The only known surviving Packard Eight with the Phaeton body is to be auctioned at the upcoming sale at Amelia Island on March 12, RM Auction announced. Estimated at $150,000-$200,000, the vehicle in question comes fitted with a 320 cu. in. L-head inline eight-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle, front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

The car was sold new in Pennsylvania and remained with its original owner until 1952, when it was sold to a gentleman in New York, who retained the car until 1999. The third owner acquired the Phaeton at Hershey, Pennsylvania in 2004 and commissioned its restoration.

When the four-year restoration began, the odometer read 57,000 miles (91,733 km), and at that time, the instruments were rebuilt and the odometer was reset at zero. When the vendor acquired the car in 2008, it had accumulated less than 200 miles (322 km) since restoration.

“The current owner bought it to drive, so it has not been shown in recent years; instead, it has participated in a tour through Colorado in 2008. However, the car will compete well should a new owner wish to enter it for the show circuit. It reportedly runs flawlessly and drives as new,” a statement from RM Auctions reads.

“It will be equally at home on tour as on the show field and will give every satisfaction to its next fortunate owner. Since no other Series 1402 Phaetons are known to the major Packard clubs, the offering of this very fine example marks a rare and significant event for Packard collectors and marque enthusiasts.”