The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has added a truly exceptional vehicle to its collection: a 1939 Packard Super Eight Hearse. This one-of-a-kind hearse, originally commissioned by a high-end Virginia funeral home, represents a unique fusion of Packard's Super Eight and Twelve components, making it a standout piece of automotive history.
Built in March 1938, the hearse rides on a V12 frame and is equipped with Twelve-series wheels, brakes, and suspension, yet it is powered by an eight-cylinder engine. Its early construction date includes several rare pre-production elements, such as a dashboard with 15 unique differences, featuring instruments fitted from behind—a detail virtually unseen in other period Packards. The interior showcases masterful woodworking with Madagascar ebony and Honduran mahogany, elevating the vehicle well beyond standard coach builds. A hydraulic leveling system in the rear ensured a smooth, consistent ride when transporting caskets, underscoring Packard's relentless pursuit of refinement even in specialty applications.
Costing over $10,000 in 1939—more than double the price of a fully-loaded production model—this hearse was a statement of status and opulence. It served its original purpose until the 1960s before being repurposed by a touring rock band, cementing its place in both dignified and countercultural history. "This isn't just a funeral coach—it's a symbol of Packard's innovation and elegance at the height of America's automotive golden age. Its uniqueness lies in the blend of Super Eight and V12 engineering, and its journey from somber beginnings to rock-and-roll lore makes it an absolute standout in the collection," says Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum.
The hearse is now part of The Ron Sturgeon Collection and can be viewed alongside over 200 rare and exotic vehicles at the DFW Car & Toy Museum. The museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137, offers free parking and admission, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
