1938 Bumpers

[Greg Riv]

Hi Guys,
How difficult is it to locate a complete pair of bumpers for a 1938 8 cylinder touring sedan?
Could you also give a rough estimate of what one can expect to pay for them, from replateable cores to ready to bolt on condition please?
Thank you, Greg

[Dave Czirr]

Hi Greg,

I can't help with this specific question but a bit of advice; when speaking of an 8-cylinder 1938 Packard you really need to distinguish between an "Eight" a/k/a 120 and a "Super Eight", they are entirely different vehicles, both in coachwork and driveline/chassis.

[Greg Riv]

Noted. Thanks Dave. I'll admit I am a little unfamiliar with all of the correct terminology but I'm a fast learner.
The bumpers I'm seeking info on would be for a 120.
Cheers, Greg

[Dave Czirr]

It can be confusing. For 1938 Packard decided to rename the former "120" series of cars as the "Eight" though most these days still call it the 120. The companions were the "Six" (the former 110), and the senior line consisted of the Super Eight and Twelve. In the Eight line there were two chassis, the 127" wb 1601, and the 148" wb 1602. The only bodies on the 1602 were the 8-passenger sedan and limousine.

So when looking for chassis parts you would reference the chassis number, 1601. When looking for body parts the reference for the touring sedan would be 1192, or 1172 for the Deluxe version.

[Greg Riv]

Thank you for that info Dave. It gives me two more questions.

1- Is the 1601 8 cylinder car considered a Junior? I thought that term applied to the 6 cylinder cars only but now I'm not so sure.
2- What is the difference between the 1192 and the 1172?

Cheers, Greg

[Dave Czirr]

Both the Six (formerly the 110) and the Eight (formerly the 120) are considered junior cars. They shared much in the way of body and chassis components.

I'm not aware of the specific differences between the 1938 base 120 touring sedan and the Deluxe version, but such a companion deluxe model was offered for quite a few years in both the junior and senior series cars. Differences were usually things like window garnish mouldings, upholstery offerings, interior trim, and the like. No doubt you'd find specifics inthe 1938 Salesman's Data Book or catalogs.

[Dave Czirr]

I have not found what features specifically differentiated the 1938 touring sedan from the Deluxe version. The Kimes-edited Automobil Quarterly book does mention those differences for the 1937 120 and this might be indicative of 1938 but do remember that the 1938 Eight was a very different vehicle from the 1937 120. Those Deluxe features for 1937 120 incuded the following and at an extra cost of $210:

Automatic radiator shutters
Sponge-backed carpets
Marshall springs in seat cushions
Clock
Deluxe radiator ornament
Whitewall tires

[Greg Riv]

Much appreciated Dave.