- Rare Packard Hollywood Darrin
- The only Hollywood Darrin with 1940-style rear fenders from new
- Class award winner at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
- Known ownership for over 60 years; Resident of multiple noted collections
LOT 226
Selling on Saturday
Coachwork by Darrin
1939 Packard Darrin 120 Victoria Convertible
Packard was America's ultimate luxury marque throughout the pre-war era and Darrin of Paris delivered some of the most glamorous coach-built examples ever produced. Howard "Dutch" Darrin was about as famous as the Hollywood stars he styled cars for. Equal parts savant, playboy, and audacious self-promoter, Dutch charmed starlets, movie stars, and studio executives alike. Everyone wanted a "Darrin of Paris." His affected French accent may have been fake, but his talent and creative magic were one hundred percent real. The most widely celebrated of his limited custom builds were the Packard Darrins and, of those, only 14 are Hollywood Victorias, crafted out of his Darrin of Paris shop on the Sunset Strip in California. This is one of those Darrins, and it doesn't get more "old Hollywood" than this.
According to Packard Darrin historian Don Figone, this particular example, chassis 1701-2098, is the only known 1939 Darrin Hollywood to leave the factory with 1940-style rear fenders, which subtly altered its appearance, but elevates its rarity among its few peers. Figone notes that known history starts again in 1955 when it was under the ownership of Texan Packard collector, James Tagliabue. Holding onto this Darrin until 1965, it was then acquired by Ken Duke, who in turn sold it to Lubbock, Texas dealer, Wendell Hawkins. The next owner would be J.J. Thompson of Florida, who in 1981 sold the Packard to the Imperial Palace Auto Collection of Las Vegas where it would be proudly displayed for many years before being sold to Mel Weiner of California.
Eventually, this rare Hollywood Darrin would have a multi-year photo-documented restoration performed by Aldrich Restoration Specialists of Clayton, Ohio. John O'Quinn of Houston, Texas would take ownership for a few years and capture a Second in Class award at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, before selling it to Orin Smith, a devoted collector who only owned the finest. Eventually leaving his impressive collection in 2017, this Packard Darrin would enjoy the presence of enthusiasts' collections, and receive a complete engine overhaul in 2020, which is documented by invoice forms from Aldrich Restoration Specialists.
Today, 1701-2098 enjoys its restoration that earned a class award at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. It remains very well-kept and looked after, only showing slight signs of road patina and use. The 120 horsepower, 282-cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission with Econo-Drive overdrive are both reported to be in mechanical order, allowing for its next owner to thoroughly enjoy this rare Classic Car Club of America Full Classic® on tours around the country.
Accompanied by a large binder documenting the restoration process, and an unbroken ownership chain since 1955, this rare Packard Hollywood Darrin Victoria Convertible will make for a wonderful addition to one's collection of rare and astute pre-war automobiles.
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