1937 Packard Model 1508 Convertible Sedan

Among the elite of American motorcars, Packard was known for some of the most elegant and stately machines on the road. Its clientele came from the cream of society, with more bankers and financiers than celebrities on the list of buyers.

Those conservative buyers saw some changes to the range topping V-12s for 1937. Styling changes were more evolutionary than revolutionary, but it was under the skin where the important changes took place. The first of those improvements was a double-trussed chassis frame that was said to have 400-percent of the rigidity of the prior chassis. An independent front suspension Packard called “T-flex” replaced the solid axles, and vacuum-assisted hydraulic drum brakes replaced the less-effective cable-actuated brakes. Like the prior year, steel wheels were fitted, along with trim rings and large chrome hubcaps.

The big L-head V-12 was little changed and still put out 175 horsepower in standard trim. When fitted with the optional higher compression cylinder heads output was boosted to 180 bhp.

Despite the Depression, Packard sales were healthy, and the boost in V-12 sales can probably be attributed to only making the long 144.1-inch wheelbase available only in V-12 models. This example has the longer wheel-base and is a prime example of a luxury car of the period.