1939 Packard 120 Convertible Sedan Beautifully Restored Known History

The Packard Twelfth Series One-Twenty is an automobile produced by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, from 1935 to 1937 and from 1939 through the 1941 model years. The One-Twenty model designation was derived from the wheelbase, and it was replaced by the Packard 200.

The One-Twenty signified the first time that Packard had entered into the highly competitive mid-priced eight-cylinder car market. Packard enthusiasts view the production of the One-Twenty and the Six/One-Ten models as the start of Packard's losing its hold on the market as the premier American luxury automotive brand. It was a marketing strategy shared with GM's LaSalle, the Chrysler Airstream, and the Lincoln-Zephyr. It was introduced after Rolls-Royce brought to market the Rolls-Royce Twenty, which was manufactured between 1922 and 1929 (succeeded by the Rolls-Royce 20/25 which was built until 1936).

The introduction of the One-Twenty (and later the Six/One-Ten models) was a necessary move to keep Packard in business during the final years of the Great Depression, expanding on an earlier approach with the Packard Light Eight. Branding the One-Twenty a Packard afforded buyers the cachet of owning a Packard. Other reasons the company decided to forgo the development of a companion brand name to sell the less expensive models may have been linked to its single production line capability at its Grand Boulevard manufacturing plant or to the expense of launching a new brand of automobile.

in 1939, the One-Twenty was offered in a full range of body styles from coupe to Touring Limousine, with prices for the model range between US$1,099 and US$1,856. New for the year was introduction of column shifting (known in Packard parlance as Handishift), which did away with the floor shifter. Also.the company introduced a fifth, transverse shock absorber on the 120. It also offered Packard's Unimesh three-speed synchromesh transmission, the same as in the Twelve (and already standard on the Eight), as well as the new fourth-gear Econo-Drive overdrive, claimed to reduce engine speed 27.8%, and able to be engaged at any speed over 30 mph.

The 120 Packard was very successful. It was just as beautiful and attractive as the Senior Packard's, and was more drivable and easily maneuvered, particularly in Urban settings; and many of Packard's long time buyers gravitated to the Junior car-something Management hadn't probably anticipated. So is the case here as this car was purchased new by a Mrs. Mary Louise Walker, who had a townhouse in New York City, as well as substantial property holdings in Long Lake NY. She owned the car from new until her passing in 1946, when it was willed to her butler- Mr. Amandus Watts and his wife Selma. They were also given property called Cedarlands Park-this property is significant in the later history of the car. Cedarlands was conveyed to the Boy Scouts of America in 1966 and surveyed by Stuart Fleck for the state of New York. During the survey Mr. Fleck discovered this car. The thought of the car stuck with him and he purchased the car in 1973 with 62,000 miles on it. He kept the car until 1989 when it was sold to Universal Studios and used as a display at the Spruce Goose/Queen Mary attraction in Long Beach CA.
Subsequently Brad Rarig purchased the car and commissioned the restoration. The car passed through one more hand before being acquired by the current collector in 2017.

This car presents exceptionally well and appears as a freshly restored car in every manner. The striking Color Combination gives the car a strong presence. Recently fully serviced by a professional local expert mechanic, everything works well on the car including the overdrive. This a great running car you can use immediately. Here we have a great opportunity to get a rare and great driving Packard in excellent condition.