When it comes to Packards, you must "ask the man who owns one." For a long time, Packard was America's premiere luxury brand. However, like a lot of brands in the 1930s, Packard found itself struggling to survive the Great Depression. For a brand built on the reputation of its Twin Six, Packard continued to have the clientele who could afford it cars, but its market share shrunk drastically.

Packard President Alvan Macauley was convinced the way to ensure Packard's survival was a high-volume vehicle, so he hired auto industry veterans of more volume-oriented brands. The reorganization led to the 1935 One Twenty, a Buick in Packard duds. Packard's fortunes made an about-face, with the One Twenty suddenly accounting for 90% of the brand's output. For a company that once didn't care about volume, this was a revelation.

Like all good things, the managers wanted more. The decision was made to go even more down-market, resulting in the 1937 Packard Six. When the dust was settled, Packard sold a record 110,000 cars. Production wasn't the only thing that was up, though – profits increased as well, and many jobs had been saved. With a 115-inch wheelbase, a 237-cid six with 100 horsepower, all-steel body, independent front suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic brakes, it was "every inch a Packard . . . a Packard through and through." The party was short-lived, however, as a recession in 1938 cut sales to 56,000.

This 1937 Packard street rod is unique in a world of Fords and Chevrolet street rods. It is equipped with a Chevy 454 putting out 425 horsepower tied to an automatic transmission. With air conditioning, new-age digital dashboard, CD player, 20-inch chrome wheels, and Air Lift suspension, this Packard continues to exhibit all the smoothness and class Packard was known for.

Without reserve