Summary

Powered by a 473.3ci L-head V12 engine with 175bhp mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. Rolls on independent coil-spring front suspension and a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs.

Details

This 1937 Packard Series 1508 is powered by a 473.3ci L-head V12 engine with 175bhp mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. It rolls on independent coil-spring front suspension, a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and 4-wheel power-assisted hydraulic drum brakes. The wheelbase is 144 inches. While the 1936 models had been virtually unchanged from previous years, Packard's Fifteenth Series of 1937 brought a comprehensive series of mechanical improvements, especially to the top-of-the-line 12-cylinder models. Most notable of these improvements was the introduction of Safe-T-Flex independent front suspension, which was based on the sound design of the junior One-Twenty and debuted on the senior Packard models. Other improvements included the adoption of hydraulic brakes and disc-type steel wheels, and the elimination of the Bijur central-chassis lubrication system. This would be the final year that the Twelve was offered on the massive 144-inch wheelbase chassis, which would become a thing of the past for 1938, as all Twelves were downsized.