1958 Packard Hardtop Sports Coupe

The Tupelo Automobile Museum Auction|27 April 2019, 10:00 CDT|The Tupelo Automobile Museum

1958 Packard Hardtop Sports Coupe
Chassis no. 58L6229

289ci OHV V8
Single 4-Barrel Carburetor
225bhp at 4,500rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front with Live Rear Axle Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*The final year for the storied Packard marque
*Rare Sports Coupe model
*Evocative 50s Styling

THE FINAL PACKARDS

By the early 1950s the once great Packard company was in trouble, unable to refresh its model range with the frequency that the post-war market demanded, unlike its larger corporate rivals. Forced to respond, Packard introduced an all-new line-up powered by its first V8 engine for 1955, tooling for which it could ill afford. Seeking a financial partner, Packard had bought the ailing Studebaker Corporation in 1954 but the latter's continuing losses and the costs of its newly introduced range effectively ruined Packard, which was purchased by Curtiss-Wright in 1956. Curtiss-Wright ended car production at Packard and consolidated its automotive operations at the Studebaker factory in South Bend, Indiana, from whence the next generation of Packards would emerge. Predictably, these were based on existing Studebaker designs.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

In an attempt to keep things up to date for 1958, Packard stylist Duncan McRae took inspiration from Dodge's 'Forward Look' and affixed taller fins and 4 light headlight pods up front to the expanded 4 model range. Just 675 hardtop coupes, like the one shown here, left the factory floor that year making this particular surviving example quite rare.

The car was purchased by the Museum in 1995 and records on file show a bit of work being conducted around he same time. Some mechanical issues were addressed along with replacing various odds and ends in the interior and lighting. The vehicle sports deep red paint and a lovely period patterned textile interior- both of which present in fair condition. Under the hood, the story is very much the same as the vehicle has not been operated in quite some time.

A rare, final year Packard makes for a solid addition to any collection and with a bit of restorative work, this example will surely be a standout.

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