Three 148-inch-wheelbase Packard 1705 Super Eight chassis were bodied by the famous coachbuilder Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania, as imposing open phaetons, according to Mrs. Enos Derham. These vast touring cars were distinguished by several unusual features, including roll-up windows in the rear doors that meet the second windshield, providing essentially draft-free, comfortable motoring for the rear passengers. Befitting their rather grand appearance, Mrs. Derham recounted that all three were produced for official state use—one for the Government of Argentina, another for Canada, and a third for a Middle Eastern nation. With the Argentinian car documented and known to survive in enthusiast ownership, this is believed to have been the Middle Eastern example, as it was originally built as an export model with right-hand drive.

The Packard was originally restored in the early 1970s and in 1976 was an award winner in Classic Car Club of America judging while owned by John Beauchamp of Texas. It later passed to Irving Davis of California, for whom it was converted to left-hand-drive by noted restorer and hot-rodder Tom Sparks. Afterward, it wound up in the well-known collection of Richard and Linda Kughn in Detroit. Eventually, Imperial Palace of Las Vegas acquired it from the Kughns in 1989, where it spent some years in the hotel and casino’s Auto Collection on display in the famous row of “state cars” used by important personages in world history. During this time it was featured prominently in several books on the Imperial Palace collection written by Henry Rasmussen and appeared on the cover of one, the large coffee table volume Automobiles of Distinction.

In 2000, the burgeoning Petersen Automotive Museum acquired several Imperial Palace automobiles, including the Packard. The Derham Super Eight has remained in the museum’s collection for the past quarter-century, occasionally displayed in feature exhibits as well as in the famous Vault. It was also employed in 2003 to chauffeur the grand marshals of that year’s Rose Parade in Pasadena, including television pioneers Art Linkletter and Fred Rogers.

One of the most storied Classic Packards, with custom coachwork and rich history in very important collections, this would be an ideal car to freshen for further use in CCCA events, or simply to enjoy driving the family in—with room for seven, everyone can get in on the fun.