General Information

Packard was riding high during the Roaring 20’s, but their fortunes changed in October of 1929.  The Great Depression hit all automakers hard, but independent builders of luxury cars were especially vulnerable to downturns in the economy.  Cadillac and Lincoln had the support of GM and Ford behind them, but some of the great names in American automobiles - Stutz, Peerless, Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg, and Pierce-Arrow - had all gone under by 1938.  Packard’s sales fell from a high of 50,000 in 1928 to just 7,000 in 1934.  Drastic action was necessary.

The 120 series, launched in 1935 was Packard’s very successful entry into the mid-price market.  The key to this success was value: the 120, named for the length of its wheelbase, was smaller, simpler, and much less expensive than the ‘senior’ Packards, but the quality and prestige were still there, and prices started at under $1,000.  The plan worked beautifully.  Almost 25,000 120s were sold in 1935, compared with just 7,000 for all other models.  Such was the success of the 120 that Packard brought out the 6-cylinder 110 in 1937, at which time the 120 was dressed up a bit.  The 110 was successful, but its appearance, along with the discontinuance of the V-12, caused Packard to lose some of its prestigious image, which hurt the company in the long run.  Still, without the 110 and 120 the company would have never survived the depression.

For 1941, front end styling was changed slightly, the headlights were incorporated into the fenders, and wheels were reduced in diameter to 15 inches.  Eight different body styles were offered that year, and total sales for the 120 series amounted to a little over 17,000 cars.   This particular convertible has spent almost its entire life in California, and was in the possession of the first owner’s family until recently.  It has since been comprehensively restored to correct specification.  It features the optional radio, clock, and wheel trim rings.  This elegant open Packard was made part of Tammy Allen's collection at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction.