Founded in 1899, Packard became a powerhouse in the luxury car market in the early part of the 20th century. The company sold cars in 61 countries as of about 1928. Its president and General Manager, James Macauley, was understandably proud of what the brand had become. Advertisements featured the tagline, “Ask the Man Who Owns One.”
While a sexist phrase like that would never fly in today’s automotive media, it did convey the sense of self-image and dignity that Packard salespeople were going for. And who could blame them? The cars were indeed gorgeous.
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1940 Packard Custom Super Eight 180 Sedan. The car is being sold by a dealer in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the auction will end Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. PDT.
The car’s profile screams sophistication—especially in an elegant black paint job—thanks to its prominent hood ornament, sidemounts, and suicide doors. The listing says that the car was restored in 2018, at which time the chrome trim was also replated. The fold-down luggage rack at the rear is a handy feature—not that the car was lacking for space inside the cabin.
The Custom Super Eight, after all, was the large flagship of the Packard lineup, taking the place of the outgoing V12-powered Packard Twelve. Packard prided itself in luxury, offering a smooth ride even on unimproved roads. “Your ride is almost as comfortable as though you were on new concrete—for which miracle you can thank Packard’s improved Safe-T-fleX suspension, the finest yet developed and the envy of the automotive industry.”
Power comes from a 356ci L-head straight-eight that was rated at 160 horsepower. The engine is fed via a single downdraft carburetor, and the listing says that the wiring was replaced during restoration. The car is parade-ready, and just in time for the upcoming Independence Day holiday.
An ad for the 1940 Packards from The Saturday Evening Post said, “You’ll fall in love and never get over it.” It went on to say, “Unless there is ice in your veins, you’re going to lose your heart to the most stunning new car that ever left a designer’s board.”
Automotive enthusiasts may recall that Packard merged with Studebaker in 1953, and the nameplate was eventually phased out by the end of 1958. It was a great run while it lasted—and this car is a prime example of peak Packard engineering and design.
The auction for this 1940 Packard Custom Super Eight 180 Sedan ends Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery