Unique 1939 Packard Super Eight Hearse Showcases Pre-War Automotive Craftsmanship at DFW Museum

The DFW Car & Toy Museum has unveiled a distinctive 1939 Packard Super Eight Hearse, a bespoke vehicle commissioned by a high-end Virginia funeral home that represents a unique fusion of Packard's engineering. This one-of-a-kind creation combines a V12 frame with Twelve-series wheels, brakes, and suspension while being powered by an eight-cylinder engine, creating an unprecedented blend of components from Packard's premium lines.

Built in March 1938, the hearse features several rare pre-production elements that distinguish it from other period Packards. The dashboard alone contains 15 unique differences, including instruments fitted from behind—a detail virtually unseen in other vehicles of the era. The interior showcases exceptional craftsmanship with Madagascar ebony and Honduran mahogany woodworking that elevates the vehicle well beyond standard coach builds.

A hydraulic leveling system in the rear ensured a smooth, consistent ride when transporting caskets, demonstrating 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 during its original funeral service from the late 1930s through the 1960s.

The vehicle's history took an unexpected turn when it was repurposed by a touring rock band after its funeral service ended, creating a unique narrative that spans both dignified and countercultural contexts. Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, describes the vehicle as "a symbol of Packard's innovation and elegance at the height of America's automotive golden age" that stands out due to its engineering blend and unusual history.

This 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 vehicle's display matters because it represents a unique moment in automotive history when luxury manufacturers created highly specialized vehicles with exceptional craftsmanship, blending engineering from different model lines in ways rarely documented. Its preservation allows contemporary audiences to appreciate both the technical innovation and cultural journey of American automotive design during the pre-war period.

The museum provides additional information about its collection and exhibits through its website at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. This hearse's display offers insight into how luxury automotive manufacturers approached specialty vehicle construction during an era when craftsmanship and customization reached remarkable levels, while also demonstrating how significant vehicles can transition between completely different cultural contexts over decades of use.