As the custom coachbuilding industry faded out of existence in the early 1940s, American luxury automakers slowly discontinued the factory-catalogued “semi-customs” that had topped their lines for over a decade.

Most of coachbuilder LeBaron’s final catalogued Packard offerings were formal limousines, which were to be driven by a chauffeur. However, in 1941 only, an “owner-driver” variant, the sport brougham, could also be had. It was essentially Packard’s version of the Cadillac Series 60 Special, and it featured a striking design, with narrow chromed window frames and a “formal” rear window on the shorter 1907-series chassis, as well as a sumptuously appointed five-passenger interior. Only 99 sport broughams were built, and survivors are quite rare.

The sport brougham offered here was originally sold by the famed California dealer Earle C. Anthony. It was acquired by the famed Harrah’s Automobile Collection in 1968 and remained on display there until 1984. That year, at one of the famous Harrah’s dispersal auctions, it was purchased by longtime Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) member and past president, Richard Gold of Deephaven, Minnesota, in solid original condition with 38,199 miles. Mr. Gold was known for appreciating originality and performed a sympathetic frame-on restoration, as the car did not require removing the body from the frame. The work received CCCA Senior Premier honors, badge no. 1595.

Today the car shows 48,900 actual miles at the time of cataloguing, and the owner, a longtime Packard connoisseur, notes that it has performed flawlessly on two recent CCCA CARavans, riding on Diamondback radial tires. Further, he notes that all accessories work, including the factory-installed overdrive and hydraulic windows. The car is equipped with its original Deluxe heater and an electric fuel pump. The car retains its original vehicle plate and Earle C. Anthony tag, and is offered with Harrah’s sale, registration, and mileage documentation. It is a fine example of one of the rarest late pre-war Packards, beautifully conserved by passionate caretakers.