The Ride Of The Stars
black mamba
Registered Users Posts: 8,323 Major grins
The story of this car is nothing short of a study into Hollywood glitter.
The Packard line of automobiles had earned it's way to the highest level of excellence in design, engineering, and....maybe even most importantly....a degree of " social acceptance " among the motoring elite of the day. They rightfully deserved all the accolades that came their way as they were truly great cars.
There was, however, a crusty, opinionated, somewhat argumentative individual who thought he could make something better out of the car....something more suitable to the really endowed buyer who wanted only the best. This individual was Howard " Dutch " Darrin. This Darrin character considered himself to be a very competent designer....and was not one too shy about espousing his talents to those around him. Fact was, he was actually pretty good. He honed his approach to design while spending quite some time in Europe, studying many of the wonderful works that came from that fertile ground.
He came back to the U.S. and soon set about making his mark. He chose as his " target " the Packard line of cars. You see here the result of his efforts. This is a 1939 Packard 120 Convertible Victoria, more commonly referred to as a Darrin. There were only 12 of these magnificent machines made in 1939. Darrin took the already great Packard 120 and worked his magic on that car....customizing and refining it to what he considered an appropriate level.
This very car was sold to a reigning tennis queen, Helen Wills Moody. The list of Hollywood elite who fell for the Darrin's charms included Tyrone Power, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Chester Morris, Al Jolson, Ruby Keeler, Preston Foster, Ann Sheridan, and Gene Krupa. Dick Powell also bought one, however, he sold it not too long after buying it. He claimed that whenever he took it out, the crowds of people became unruly....would chase him down the road, swarm him when he had to stop at red lights.
Tom
BTW, I can see Mary, Liz, and Lauren tooling along in this thing. JUMP BACK....that may be more than we guys could cope with.
The Packard line of automobiles had earned it's way to the highest level of excellence in design, engineering, and....maybe even most importantly....a degree of " social acceptance " among the motoring elite of the day. They rightfully deserved all the accolades that came their way as they were truly great cars.
There was, however, a crusty, opinionated, somewhat argumentative individual who thought he could make something better out of the car....something more suitable to the really endowed buyer who wanted only the best. This individual was Howard " Dutch " Darrin. This Darrin character considered himself to be a very competent designer....and was not one too shy about espousing his talents to those around him. Fact was, he was actually pretty good. He honed his approach to design while spending quite some time in Europe, studying many of the wonderful works that came from that fertile ground.
He came back to the U.S. and soon set about making his mark. He chose as his " target " the Packard line of cars. You see here the result of his efforts. This is a 1939 Packard 120 Convertible Victoria, more commonly referred to as a Darrin. There were only 12 of these magnificent machines made in 1939. Darrin took the already great Packard 120 and worked his magic on that car....customizing and refining it to what he considered an appropriate level.
This very car was sold to a reigning tennis queen, Helen Wills Moody. The list of Hollywood elite who fell for the Darrin's charms included Tyrone Power, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Chester Morris, Al Jolson, Ruby Keeler, Preston Foster, Ann Sheridan, and Gene Krupa. Dick Powell also bought one, however, he sold it not too long after buying it. He claimed that whenever he took it out, the crowds of people became unruly....would chase him down the road, swarm him when he had to stop at red lights.
Tom
BTW, I can see Mary, Liz, and Lauren tooling along in this thing. JUMP BACK....that may be more than we guys could cope with.
I always wanted to lie naked on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. Cracker Barrel didn't take kindly to it.
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Comments
http://imagesbyjirobau.blogspot.com/
Liz, Lauren and I would have a blast in this car. You men ... well we'd surely keep ya hoppin'
www.Dogdotsphotography.com
Unfortunately, Jiro, the myriad government regulations that have evolved over the years have spelled doom for imaginative styling. Safety regulations....like mandated bumper height, among many, many others....have stifled originality in design. Sad, isn't it?
Tom
Hey Mary,
Come hell or high water, there'll be a day when a bunch of us get together and cruise around in such a car as this. I'm thinking that it will probably be in Savannah....a most fitting site. I can't wait.
Tom
Exactly. What I do know is that if the individual who makes or the one who is trying to pass the law does not really know much about the matter, that's where problems begin. Funny, isn't it?
http://imagesbyjirobau.blogspot.com/
Savannah, red car and good friends ... I'm looking forward to it
www.Dogdotsphotography.com
Lauren Blackwell
www.redleashphoto.com