SOLD!! Off to Washington State!! The 1941 Packard 180 LeBaron Sport Brougham is widely considered to be one of the best looking pre-war sedans ever made. This example benefited from a no-expense spared restoration that is one of the best we’ve ever seen. And it drives as well as it looks, with every detail functioning and behaving as it should. And with less than 100 made and about 20 extant, it is one of the most desired models available. This Packard would easily be a contender at any of the major concours events, including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.

Highlights:
-One of Approximately 99 Built
-Impressive Restoration
-AACA Senior Award Winner in 2018
-CCCA Senior Award Winner in January 2019

Specifications:
-356 CID L-Head Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
-Stromberg Carburetor
-160 BHP at 3,500 RPM
-3-Speed with Overdrive Manual Gearbox
-4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
-Independent Front Suspension with Coil Springs
-Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
-Wheelbase: 138″
-Power windows

This Packard was purchased new from Broadway Motor Sales in Gloversville, NY on May 24th, 1941. This was one of the most expensive Packard’s available in 1941, so we can imagine it being bought by the owner of one of the many glove making factories just before the US involvement in WWII. The car was more recently owned by Marvin Jelnick from Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Jelnick was a locksmith and had fastidious attention to detail. He restored it himself and had the engine rebuilt by Rick Enquist, known as one of the best rebuilders of 356 CID eights in country.

The present owner, Keith Ambs from Tucson, Arizona, is one of our consignment clients who has terrific taste in cars. He purchased this motorcar from Tom Crook in May of 2014, trading in his 1941 Cadillac convertible.

The LeBaron Sport Brougham was included in the Packard 180 sales catalog, referred to as a semi-custom. This nomenclature is due to the car being fabricated by marrying a sedan front end and the back end of a curvaceous coupe, making it extremely expensive to build. It then has incredible custom attention to detail.

The designers absolutely nailed it. The proportions are so perfect that from afar one would never know that this is an 18 foot long luxury car. Every line and angle is perfect. From the split veed windshield to the chromed perfectly arched window frames, this is a gorgeous design. But don’t take our word for it, look at the photos and video!

The venerable 356 CID nine main bearing straight eight is iconic. It is an incredibly powerful and dependable and with the three speed overdrive this motorcar is comfortable cruising at 70-80 mph. The brakes were sufficiently refined that highway speeds are relatively safe.

The livery is in Packard Blue and is nearly perfect with the exception of one small area on the driver’s rear fender. The car would benefit from this being repaired. The Packard was ordered with the running boards deleted and without side mounted spares, which make the lines sleek and sexy. This is just the right look for the Sport Brougham.
This Packard is loaded with options including the front and rear bumper guards, fog lights, drivers mirror, radio, heater and hydraulic power windows.

The wool broadcloth interior is absolutely perfect, as are the Wilton wool carpets. The wood work is stunning as well, with the inlay inserts throughout. The wood finishes were only available on the 180 models and the Sport Brougham’s is over the top.

Everything on this car functions perfectly, except the clock isn’t perfectly accurate. Cosmetically, the Packard could benefit from the small paint repair and the plastic coating on the shift lever replaced or repaired.

A very similar Sport Brougham was sold at the 2013 Gooding and Co auction for $176,000. Details here: https://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1941-packard-custom-super-8-one-eighty-sport-brougham/

If you are considering adding an important pre-war Packard to your collection don’t wait. These rarely come to market and this is one of the best in existence. For more details call Harry Clark at +1.602.245.7200 or email us at harry@classicpromenade.com.