Another delightful spring convertible:

Packard’s One-20 comes in both a coupe and a sedan, but isn’t available in the convertible style you see below until a clever bodybuilder more or less forces Packard executives to use it Howard “Dutch” DarlingAn American aviator who served in France during the final years of World War I, the New Jersey-born designer later formed the “Paris Darling”.

After spending a few days in Paris, Darling settled in Hollywood, where he immediately established himself as a custom body supplier to the stars. Darrin lived a glamorous life and career, met Hollywood mogul Darryl F. Zanuck, and sold his unique designs to stars including Clark Gable, Dick Powell, Tyrone Power, Errol Flynn, Al Jolson, Rosalind Russell, and more.his full History is here.

He built a two-seater convertible Victoria Roadster for actor Chester Morris on a 1937 Packard One Twenty chassis, which sparked the idea of ??building a five-seater convertible based on the Packard platform. He pitched the idea to Packard executives in Detroit, but was rejected. In response, Darrin converted the standard Packard 8 business coupe into a convertible, with wide curved doors and a lively body. He arranged to park the car outside the Packard Proving Ground during the annual dealer meeting, exactly where dealers couldn’t help but see. The resulting enthusiasm led Packard to contract Darling to build the convertible. (The whole story about how the convertible was born can be find here),

When brand new, 120 Victoria Convertibles cost $3,820 – $78,447.52 in today’s (inflation-adjusted) dollars.

This car is at auction Sotheby’s 2017 (RNM) and again in bring the trailer This year ($332k RNM).others have sold $360,000

source: bring the trailer