1942 Packard Darrin 180 Convertible Victoria

1942 Packard Darrin 180 Convertible Victoria
Packard Motor Car Company, Warren, Ohio
Photo By: Douglas Wilkinson
Location: Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance March 15,2009

About 100 Packard-Darrin Convertible Victorias were built over a three-year period from 1940 to 1942. This sporty and luxurious Packard was based on a customized Packard made for actor-singer Dick Powell by automobile stylist Howard "Dutch" Darrin. The sleek Victoria had a cut-down windshield and a gently sloping door line - the "Darrin" dip - that kicked up toward the rear.

The Custom Super-8 One Eighty Convertible Victoria came standard with a 356 cubic inch, 160 horsepower engine and had a top speed of 85 miles per hour. The list price when new was $4,595.

For 1942, production of the Victoria was turned over to Sayers and Scoville, a firm that built ambulances and hearses. They produced about 35 Victorias.