The DFW Car & Toy Museum has unveiled a 1939 Packard Super Eight hearse, a vehicle that represents a unique fusion of luxury engineering and cultural history. Commissioned by a high-end Virginia funeral home, this bespoke creation combines Packard's Super Eight and Twelve components on a single chassis, making it a distinctive artifact from America's automotive golden age.
Built in March 1938, the hearse rides on a V12 frame with Twelve-series wheels, brakes, and suspension but is powered by an eight-cylinder engine. Its early construction date includes several rare pre-production elements, most notably a dashboard with 15 unique differences where instruments are fitted from behind—a detail virtually unseen in other period Packards. The interior showcases fine woodworking with Madagascar ebony and Honduran mahogany, elevating it beyond standard coach builds. A hydraulic leveling system in the rear ensured a smooth ride when transporting caskets, reflecting Packard's commitment to refinement even in specialty applications.
Costing over $10,000 in 1939—more than double the price of a fully-loaded production model—this hearse served as a statement of status and opulence. It fulfilled its original funeral purpose until the 1960s before being repurposed by a touring rock band, bridging dignified and countercultural histories. Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, describes it as a symbol of Packard's innovation and elegance, noting its journey from somber beginnings to rock-and-roll lore makes it a standout in the collection.
This one-of-a-kind Henney Packard Hearse is now part of The Ron Sturgeon Collection and can be viewed alongside over 200 rare and exotic vehicles at the museum. The importance of this display lies in its demonstration of automotive craftsmanship and historical adaptability, offering insights into how luxury vehicles transcended their intended uses. For enthusiasts and historians, it provides a tangible link to pre-war engineering excellence and the evolving cultural roles of automobiles. The museum's location and details can be found on its website at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com, where visitors can plan their visit to see this and other exhibits.
