1937 Packard 1501 Super Eight Convertible Victoria
For 1937, Packard introduced independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes to its Super Eight line, bringing modern engineering to a luxury chassis that had been steadily refined throughout the decade.
The Series 1501 rode on a 134-inch wheelbase and occupied the middle ground between Packard’s popular junior models and the prestigious Twelve. Despite Packard’s record-breaking overall production of 109,518 vehicles that year, only 5,793 Super Eights were built.
The Convertible Victoria body style featured elegant proportions and was one of eight factory body styles offered on the 1501 chassis. A 30-degree slant to the radiator grille and updated brightwork gave the car a more contemporary, streamlined appearance.
Power came from Packard’s proven 320 cubic inch L-head inline eight-cylinder engine, producing 135 horsepower at 3,200 rpm and paired with a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission. The new Safe-T-Flex independent front suspension, using coil springs and wishbones, provided a smoother ride and improved handling while preserving the marque’s hallmark road manners.
Production records indicate that only 96 examples of the Series 1501 Convertible Victoria were built.
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