Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 96
1939 Packard Series 1701 One-Twenty Convertible Victoria Coachwork by Darrin Chassis no. B319346A
Sold for US$138,000 inc. premium
Lot 96
1939 Packard Series 1701 One-Twenty Convertible Victoria
1939 Packard Series 1701 One-Twenty Convertible Victoria
Coachwork by Darrin
Chassis no. B319346A
Coachwork by Darrin
Chassis no. B319346A
282ci Flathead Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
120bhp at 3,600rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*One of only eight examples built
*Ex-John O'Quinn
*The car of Hollywood Royalty
*Stylish and swift
THE PACKARD DARRIN
Howard "Dutch" Darrin was perhaps the best known and most charismatic of all the American body designers. His name had graced the Titles of several prominent Coachbuilding shops both here and abroad. Hibbard and Darrin and Fernandez and Darrin both were prominent European coach building shops and Darrin was a rare American who infiltrated the European Coachbuilding industry. In the late thirties as the Custom era was winding down Darrin returned to America. Always having a knack for getting financial support for his next enterprise he wasted no time and set up a shop in Hollywood in 1938. This shop was cleverly named Darrin of Paris to capitalize on his European persona. Because of his location, well-bred manner and life-style Darrin became a favorite with Hollywood celebrities. As is today many of his clients were not satisfied with an off-the-shelf car and looked to Darrin to transform it into something befitting a celebrity. His first job was a Two-Seater sport body on a Ford chassis for Percy Morgan.
His next project was a very clever conversion that would be one of his most famous contribution to motoring history. Starting with the very nicely styled Packard Eight coupe Darrin removed the roof cut-down the doors with a European sweep and fitted a handsome Victoria top. This design would be the first Packard Darrin and eventually be adopted as an actual model in 1941. In addition to these modifications the first two Packards Darrins produced in Hollywood also had very long hoods that went all the way to the split v-windshield frame. The combination of a long hood and a split v-windshield is a formula for success on a Packard and is direct a quote of the most famous custom Packards of 1934 from LeBaron and Dietrich. This custom of working on the smaller 127" Eight chassis made for a nimble and sporty machine more akin in scale to the Delahayes, Delages and Alfa Romeos of Europe so fashionable at the time. The resulting Packard Eight was one of the only small, sporty custom bodied cars produced in that era and they reflect Darrin's long emersion in European auto industry.
In Packard terms this may well be the holy grail for those that prize the innovative way in which Howard 'Dutch' Darrin was able to take the luxurious late 30s Packards and give them pure Hollywood glamour, which led to the adoption of this styling as a catalogued model. Although Darrin produced just one earlier Packard, this did not have the same styling cues which one associates with the design of the production automobile and can be found on the dozen customs built.
THE CAR OFFERED
Only eight Series 1701 Convertible Victorias are believed to have been built by Darrin and a total of only 30 Packard Darrins total would leave the Hollywood, California works from 1937 to 1941. The earliest history of this example is not recorded, but it is reported that by 1981 it was brokered by "Tiny" Gould from Mr. J.J. Thompson to the Imperial Palace Collection in Las Vegas. Two further changes in ownership would occur before it would be the recipient of a complete restoration in 1999. Seven years hence the Darrin was subject to a cosmetic restoration that included a bare metal respray in the original color (which was discovered during the process of prepping the car), a new top, and a refinished interior. Also added was a modern-era Lalique mascot and the original Packard radio was upgraded with solid state internals (records from this and the previous restoration are not still with the car).
Joining the expansive collection of John O'Quinn in 2007, it would trade hands in 2010 and later find its way to the current ownership. Showing well today, it is a fine touring example of the most stylish cars of the late-1930s. With plenty of power on tap and barely-there bodywork burdening the straight eight, it would make as fine a touring car as anyone could ask for.
Saleroom notices
Title in transit.
Additional information
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