Packard Custom Super Eight

[1] The car was derived from the Packard Super Eight One-Sixty with which it shared the complete running gear including the in-line eight-cylinder, 356-cubic-inch (5,830 cc) engine that developed 180 horsepower.

The pre-World War II Henney models usually had 160-180 trim but were actually constructed on the Packard 120A 156" wheelbase chassis with the smaller 288 cubic inch engine although there were also 160 and 180 versions available.

Also for the first time, running boards could be deleted with a rocker panel put in their place to cover the chassis, and two-tone paint schemes were available.

There have been allegations that dies for both Junior and Senior models were sold to the Soviet Union during World War II, and production continued until 1959 as the ZIS-110.

[6] Building even this number of cars would have overstretched Darrin's Hollywood workshops so they were built by American Central Manufacturing - one of the last remnants of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg conglomerate - in Connersville ("Little Detroit") Indiana instead.

This work was shifted to Sayers & Scovill in Cincinnati (the company became Hess & Eisenhardt in 1942) to let ACM concentrate on building Jeep bodies.

The brightwork used minimally was stainless steel instead of chrome, and interior fabrics were wool upholstery, broadcloth or leather as the buyer selected.

[8] Until an all new model could be introduced, the Custom Super Clipper used the standard Clipper passenger compartment body with front fender and hood extensions to accommodate the longer wheelbase, and the model identification was inscribed below the front door vent window.

[8] A total of 1,472 Custom Super Clippers were manufactured for 1946, 5,690 for 1947 with the most expensive Model 2250 listed for $4,668 ($63,696 in 2023 dollars [2]) for the limousine, putting it in competition with the Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special, Lincoln Continental and Chrysler Imperial Crown.

[8] The "Winged Goddess" cormorant hood ornament was introduced, intended to evoke the popular appearance from Packards of the 1930s.

1940 Packard Custom Super Eight One-Eighty Formal Sedan (Series 1807)
1942 Packard Super Eight One-Eighty All Weather Town Car by Rollston (Series 2008)
1940 Packard One Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin