Packard didn’t officially produce any pickup trucks after 1923, devoting itself instead to its acclaimed line of luxury cars. But there were special-bodied Packards produced by coachbuilders for specific purposes.
The Pick of the Day is an interesting 1940 Packard described as a Henney woody truck, which has been built into a sympathetic resto-rod that retains much of its original style, aside from bold wood paneling on its flanks.
The Henney Motor Company of Freeport, Illinois, installed custom bodies for limousines, hearses, funeral flower cars and taxicabs, and this Packard apparently started out as Henney flower car mounted on a 156-inch wheelbase, according to the Conroe, Texas, dealer advertising the Packard on ClassicCars.com.
“At a point later in life, it was converted to a unique truck that you won’t find anywhere else,” the ad says. “The rear of the cab was provided from a ’52 Chevy Deluxe Cab pick-up and outfitted with a rear power window.
“Unlike any classic truck you will find anywhere else, the front sides of the bed feature suicide doors. While the cab has been beautifully painted in a Dark Blue with crystal pearl, the doors and bed are beautifully outfitted with wood paneling.”
While the truck is a one-off custom, much effort was made to keep its original style and trim intact, the seller says.
“Many original (and valuable) Packard components are still present, such as the script bumpers, 16″ factory hubcaps, bullet turn signals, and the always recognizable Goddess hood ornament. The original Henney badgings are still present as well as a functioning hydraulic “load leveling” system that the coachbuilder was known for.”
The Packard has been extensively refurbished, the seller notes.
“In 2018, this truck was given an overhaul that added several upgrades for making it fun to drive and show,” the ad says. “The seats and door panels were refinished in a date-correct style, floor boards were insulated, Sunpro gauges were added, electric cooling fans were added, and power was converted to a 12-volt system.
“It also received a new fuel tank, lines, pump and carburetor. Additional features include: GMC Big 6 engine, TH350 auto, Lokar Nostalgia shifter, GMC rear end, power steering, power brakes, wood bed, spare tire with cover, and 16″ wide whitewall tires!”
The lengthy pickup definitely looks unique and, with the modern additions, should be enjoyably drivable. While the seller says it likely started out as a flower car, the suicide rear doors and Chevy truck-cab graft indicate that it might have originated as a long-wheelbase limousine and cut into an open-bed truck.
Whatever, it is still an unusual piece in good condition, and modestly priced at $39,900.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Love this unique Truck
Seems like a reasonable price. I’d have to sell two of y cars to get it.
Strange but beautiful. Especially like the steering wheel.
I would like to come take a look at the car. I’m in Colorado let me know your availability.
Thank you
So basically it’s a BS vehicle…..wonderful…..nothing like a true classic…..
The smaller cab would have have been what my brother Wayne,and I needed when he rolled his 40 Packard 110. It seems like we were confused as we were tossed around in the 4 Dr sedan with a view through the rear window,and then ending up in the front seat again before exiting out through the windshield when there was no more motion.
I opened this 1940 Packard story on my 86th birthday. I was interested because in 1951 I bought a 1940 Packard 110 and kept it until I entered the army 2 years later. Couldn’t get $100 out of it then. Mine was "stock" and I don’t know what to think of this woodie. Unless it was wrecked in the rear, which justified modification, Packard enthusiasts will be shocked when they see this transformation.
This writer needs to do some research. Packard never made ANY pickup trucks, before 1923 or after. They did however produce commercial trucks until 1923. There is a Packard truck club headquartered in York Springs Pennsylvania. David Lockard is the president, who also owns and has restored several Packard trucks. These trucks were made in sizes from 1.5 tons up to 5 tons. General Pershing ordered Packard trucks for the United States Army for use in Europe during WW1
The HENNEY Factory Still Stands in Freeport IL, but possibly not for much longer as it has been vacated by Honeywell (formerly Micro-switch which moved in after Henney shut down) and they would rather Demolish It than pay Taxes on an Empty Building.