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The Packard Eighteenth Series 110 was a range of six-cylinder automobiles produced by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan during the 1940 and 1941 model years. The 110 designation was renamed from the previous Packard Fifteenth Series 6. The 110 shared the wheelbase of the 120 but was given the 110 designations to indicate it was the entry level product.
Critics of the Packard 6 and 110 have long maintained they hurt Packard's reputation of being America's premier luxury car maker. Still, the reintroduction of the Model 6 could not have come at a better time for the automaker, just prior to the nation's 1938 economic depression. By offering the less expensive model, the company was able to attract buyers who would otherwise be unable to purchase more expensive cars. Prices ranged from $867 for the Business Coupe to $1,200 for the Station Wagon.
Built on a shorter wheelbase than prior models, the 110 was introduced in August
1939. The 110 was available in a broad range of body styles, including both two and four-door sedans, station wagon and convertible. The shortened hood louvers doubled as hood releases, and the running-boards were now optional equipment, as were two-tone paint schemes, air conditioning, radio, and heater.
The 110 remained the most popular (and affordable) model in the Packard lineup, with 34,700 sold in 1941.
In reality the 1941 Packard 110 Special Coupe stood out from its competitors in the $1,000 to $1,075 price range due to a combination of engineering, design, and value that blended Packard’s reputation for quality with affordability. Here’s how it differentiated itself from key rivals like the Buick Special 8, Hudson Commodore 8, Chrysler Royal 6, and Pontiac Streamliner 8.
Engine and Performance: The Packard 110 Special Coupe was powered by a 245-cubic-inch L-head inline-six engine producing 100 horsepower. While this wasn’t the most powerful in its class—competitors like the Buick Special 8 offered an inline-eight with more power—the Packard’s engine was noted for its simplicity and reliability. Its lightweight construction (around 3,300 lbs) allowed for “powerful performance” with “reasonable economy,” as highlighted by Consumers Union Reports, giving it an edge in fuel efficiency over heavier competitors.
Ride Quality and Suspension: The Packard featured an independent “Safe-T-Flex” front suspension, a significant advantage over many rivals that still used solid axles. This, paired with four-wheel hydraulic brakes, provided “excellent riding qualities” and superior handling. Competitors like the Chrysler Royal 6 had hydraulic brakes but lacked the same level of suspension refinement, while the Pontiac Streamliner 8 offered a smooth ride but didn’t match Packard’s engineering pedigree.
Build Quality and Design: Packard’s reputation for luxury trickled down to the 110, even in its entry-level form. The Special Coupe boasted an all-steel body, a sleek design with integrated headlights, and a tall, distinctive radiator grille flanked by vertical side grilles—styling cues that echoed Packard’s upscale models. In contrast, the Hudson Commodore 8 had a more utilitarian look, and the Buick Special 8, while stylish, didn’t carry the same prestige. The Packard’s interior, though simpler than its senior models, still offered quality materials and optional features like a radio, heater, and even air conditioning—rare for this price point.
Value and Pricing: Priced between $867 and $1,200 depending on the body style, the 110 Special Coupe was competitively positioned. Consumers Union rated it the “best buy” in its class for 1941, praising its combination of performance, economy, and ride quality over the Buick, Hudson, Chrysler, and Pontiac alternatives. The optional overdrive, which improved highway efficiency, was another differentiator, making it “preferable” to similarly equipped competitors.
Versatility and Options: The 110 lineup, including the Special Coupe, offered a broad range of body styles and trim levels (like the Deluxe option), appealing to a wider audience than some rivals. While the Chrysler Royal 6 and Pontiac Streamliner 8 had their own strengths in styling and power, they didn’t match Packard’s flexibility or the availability of luxury-adjacent features like air conditioning.
In summary, the 1941 Packard 110 Special Coupe distinguished itself with a balance of refined engineering, a smooth and economical ride, and Packard’s hallmark quality—all at a price that undercut many competitors while delivering a near-luxury experience. Its recognition as a top value pick underscored its edge in a crowded market.
245 cubic-inch inline 6-cylinder engine
100 horsepower
3-speed selective synchromesh transmission
Semi-automatic clutch
Hydraulic brakes
122-inch wheelbase
Pre-War Classics / 1916–1941
