1936 Packard 1401 Eight Coupe Roadster

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vehicle description

Type:	Used
Year:	1936
Make:	Packard
Model:	1401 Eight Coupe Roadster

Body:	2 Door Convertible Roadster
Engine Size:	320/130 HP Inline 8-cylinder engine
Trans:	3 speed manual
Mileage:	0

VIN:	392685
Stock:	392685
Ext Color:
Int Color:

West Coast Classics are proud to present this very rare senior Packard, a 1936 1401 Eight Coupe Roadster on which Packard built its reputation for smooth and luxurious straight-eight power, formal elegance, and with the desirable open-body that Packards from the companys Fourteenth Series became legendary for with its appeal going way beyond raw speed or flash. It is about exact proportions, superb craftsmanship, and how a senior Packard from this era combines both long-wheelbase luxury with the unique rarity in open top form to set it apart from the sedans that carried much of the brands production volume.

Chassis No: 392685
Engine No: [Insert Engine Number]
Body Style: Coupe Roadster (Style No. 902)
Engine: 320 Cu. In. L-Head Straight-Eight / 130 BHP
Transmission: 3-Speed Synchromesh Manual

Yellow exterior
Beige convertible top
Red leather interior
Inlay wood dash
In-dash clock
Rumble seat
Goddess of Speed mascot
Cellular radiator
Accelerator linkage
Trippe lights
Spotlight
Coil springs
Fold-up luggage rack
Painted wire wheels with bright trim rings and centers
Wide Whitewall tires
Dual side-mount spares with metal cases and accessory lamps

Pre-war American luxury cars remain a specialized niche amongst the most discerning of collectors with well-presented senior Packards like this example continuing to attract serious interest due to their offerings of real historical weight, unmistakable styling, and a direct connection to one of the obviously preeminent names of the Classic Era.

The 1936 model year belonged to Packards Fourteenth Series, a period when the company was expanding its reach with the junior One-Twenty, while still preserving its more traditional senior cars.

The 1401 sat in that senior Eight family, positioned above the high-volume One-Twenty and built on the 134-inch wheelbase chassis that helped give these cars their stately proportions.

Under the hood, the 1401 Eight used Packards 320-cubic-inch L-head straight-eight rated at 130 horsepower matched to a 3-speed manual transmission.

Production helps explain the models collector appeal today. Packard built 61,027 cars for 1936, but only 3,973 were from the 1401 Eight series, making any surviving senior-series open car a much rarer sight than the companys junior models from the same year.

But its this rare and desirable Coupe Roadster body that makes this senior Packard so collectible and rare. Packard identifies the 1936 1401 Coupe Roadster as body style No. 919, a useful reminder that this was a specific and relatively exclusive configuration within the wider Eight range rather than just another open Packard from the period with Packards tall upright grille and long hood stretched over the straight-eight, flowing separate fenders, broad running boards, and a compact open cabin that gives the whole car a more sporting silhouette than the formal sedans in the same family.

Its that understated approach that was part of the attraction as Packard did not need exaggerated ornament or outsized performance claims to make an impression, the proportions and sheer presence of the car said it all.

Interest in senior pre-war Packards is clearly the strongest with the open cars sitting at the top of that hierarchy compared to the more common closed-body Packards of the era.

Sales are rare, a most recent result showing one 1936 Packard Eight 1401 recording a $165,000 sale in 2021.

Collectors who follow high-end American pre-war cars closely will note that this senior Packard open car has the ultimate appeal with a sharply defined place amongst the classic era of American design, and one that captures Packard at its most graceful.

The Pinnacle of Fourteenth Series Senior Luxury

Packard remained the undisputed benchmark of American luxury in 1936, and senior models like the 1401 Eight Coupe Roadster perfectly illustrate why the brand dominated the premium market. Long before postwar tailfins and V-8 horsepower wars reshaped automotive design, Packard built its legendary status on smooth straight-eight power, formal elegance, and an commanding road presence. That timeless appeal makes this exceptional Fourteenth Series Coupe Roadster a natural standout for the Mecum Indy 2026 lineup.

The 1936 model year represented a pivotal moment for the Detroit automaker. While Packard successfully expanded its market share with the lower-priced "Junior" One-Twenty line, it fiercely preserved the uncompromising build quality of its elite "Senior" motorcars. Notably, Packard skipped the "Thirteenth Series" designation entirely due to traditional triskaidekaphobia, moving directly from the Twelfth Series to the Fourteenth. The 1401 Eight occupied a coveted sweet spot in this hierarchy, positioned safely above the mass-production volume cars and utilizing a stately 134-inch wheelbase chassis that gave the vehicle its magnificent, sweeping proportions.

Style 902: Sportive Elegance Meets Everyday Utility

Among the open-body senior Packards, the Coupe Roadster (Style No. 902) is widely considered one of the most harmonious designs of the pre-war era. Unlike traditional, minimalist roadsters of the early 1930s, the Coupe Roadster offered a highly sophisticated, convertible configuration. It combined the wind-in-your-hair thrill of a true sporting machine with the civilizing comforts of roll-up side windows, a robust, weatherproof soft top, and the perennially desirable rumble seat for extra passengers.

Its aesthetic appeal is rooted in balance, craftsmanship, and restraint. The long hood line, accented by Packards signature ox-horn radiator shell and iconic Goddess of Speed mascot, flows seamlessly into a low-slung cabin. This personal, open-air body style feels far scarcer and more full of character than the formal sedans that comprised the vast majority of Packards production volume. Today, surviving open-top Senior Packards are exceptionally rare, as many closed cars were lost to time or repurposed for parts, elevating intact Coupe Roadsters to the upper echelons of the collector market.

Legendary Straight-Eight Refinement

Beneath the dual-hinged hood rests the mechanical heart of Packard's prestige: the 320-cubic-inch L-head straight-eight engine. Factory rated at 130 horsepower, this powerplant was never engineered for brute, aggressive force. Instead, it was built to fulfill Packard's long-established philosophy of smooth, quiet, and entirely effortless performance the exact engineering ethos that birthed the brand's famous slogan, "Ask the Man Who Owns One."

Utilizing a massive nine-main-bearing crankshaft, the engine delivers a vibration-free, continuous wave of torque that rival V-8 engines of the era simply could not replicate. This example retains its period-correct 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission, which, when paired with Packard's advanced power-assisted mechanical brakes, makes this substantial automobile remarkably civilized, reliable, and approachable to drive on modern roads and organized tours.

A Full Classic for the Discerning Collector

In today's discerning market, the combination of a Senior Packard chassis and an open, sporting body style remains a gold standard. Designated as a "Full Classic" by the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA), this 1401 Eight is not merely a static museum piece; it is an absolute passport to the worlds premier automotive events. It is fully eligible for exclusive, long-distance CCCA Caravans, vintage rallies, and the competitive lawns of high-level Concours d'Elegance.

For the collector seeking historical weight, unmistakable styling, and a direct connection to the golden age of American coachwork, Lot R8 represents a rare opportunity to acquire a benchmark vehicle that continues to command serious attention from enthusiasts worldwide.

In summary the attributes of the rare 1936 Packard Coupe Roadster Versatility includes:

This specific body style offered the sporty appeal of an open-air roadster but included roll-up side windows and a robust convertible top, offering much better weather protection than traditional roadsters.

The Straight-Eight Motor:

The 320-cubic-inch engine utilized nine main bearings. This design choice gave the power delivery an incredibly smooth, vibration-free quality that modern V8s of the era struggled to match.

Mechanical Refinements:

By 1936, Packard had perfected features like power-assisted mechanical brakes and a synchromesh 3-speed transmission, making these massive cars surprisingly easy and civilized to drive on modern roads.

Rarity:

Open-top Senior Packards were built in very limited numbers compared to formal sedans. Many surviving sedans were later used for parts, making intact, original Coupe Roadsters highly prized.

CCCA Classic Status:

The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) designates the 1401 Eight as a "Full Classic." This status grants it entry into exclusive touring events and high-level concours exhibitions, heavily driving its market value.

1936 Packard 1401 Eight Coupe Roadster

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