Year: 1936
Make: Packard
Model: Le Baron Victoria Convertible

Custodian: Donnie Crevier

By 1934 Packard was struggling financially, the depression having taken its’ toll on the luxury car market. Packard introduced the One Twenty in 1935. Named the One Twenty due to its 120 inch wheelbase, an affordable junior Packard was made available, thus allowing far more customers the more affordable dream of owning one. Weighing in at only about 3,500 pounds, the 1936 120B with its 282 cubic inch eight-cylinder, 120 horse power engine was a lively performer and was chosen to pace the 1936 Indy 500.

A modern assembly line was installed and in 1936 some 55,000 One Twenty’s were built. By comparison; only 5500 “senior” Packard’s were produced that same year. By 1936 Packard was paying healthy dividends, partially due to the production of the One Twenty. Even though mass produced, the One Twenty was a well-built automobile and never an embarrassment in quality to the company’s cut above reputation.

THE CAR

This particular Packard is indeed special. Custom bodied Packard’s were normally reserved for senior chassis, but the president of American Tobacco ordered this car on a One Twenty Chassis. Le Baron went one further and built the body of aluminum with a three position top. By ordering the One Twenty chassis, he also received hydraulic brakes and independent front suspension; a year before these were available on the senior cars. This Packard is truly a one-of-a-kind, the only Packard One Twenty Le Baron Victoria ever produced.