Signature 1:18 1941 Packard 180 Darrin Convertible Packard ads said: "Ask the man who owns one". Well we did, and here is what he had to say.... Review by John Richards

Overview

Photograghy By Mike DeTorrice

Howard “Dutch” Darrin conceived some of the most stylish coachwork for a variety of great auto makers. But his creations for Packard are uniquely distinctive. Beginning with the late ‘30s “Hollywood” Darrins, with their graceful beltline dip, they are among the most desirable and collectible American classic cars. The excitement of a 1:18 scale Packard Darrin by Signature was dampened (at least for me) by the release of their first version. Not that there was much to complain about the execution per se. But the choice of a rather sober-looking subject (an actual extant car) deprived the model of any sort of panache. The subdued blue color inside and out, dual side mounts and lack of rear fender chrome accents made for a dignified rather than exciting image. I was happy to have the model, but it left me wanting more.

Signature’s new image, also based on an actual car, puts nearly everything to rights. THIS is more like it! More than just a repaint (though the seductive cream color is the first thing that grabs you), this is a thorough reworking of the first version. The absence of the side mounts coupled with the skirts and sparkling chrome accents added to the rear fenders virtually transform the model at first blush. As the only visible hinges on the actual car are small body-colored ones located at the bottom of each door, Signature’s discreet single doglegs are a sensible solution. Telling details carried over from the first release include the working segmented antenna and superbly done light lenses (though the small lights atop the front fenders are still painted amber, rather than the correct frosted white). The little curve of glazing on each door remains an elegant touch and the whole is now capped off with the incomparable Packard cormorant, superbly reproduced. The icing on the cake is the angled “Darrin” scripts that were missing on the first version.

The deep, rich oxblood innards are a joy to behold and perfectly complement the exterior. There is just the right amount of sheen to the upholstery, not the glaring high gloss that frequently mars red “leather” interiors in other models. The boot, highlighted with painted snaps, is excellent too. In short, this is exactly the color combination I had envisioned in a diecast replica of this great car. As before, the interior is carpeted, with moveable visors, beautifully scaled door panel hardware and a good replication of the wheel. The dash could have used a bit more depth and some extra pointed detail, though. Doorsills would have been welcome, too. But overall this compartment is a darned good show.

As with the earlier version the undercarriage is more than adequate, with good, separate pieces representing all the important components and without the protruding plinth mounting stubs which have marred several other Signature models. About the only complaint here is the difficulty in fully opening the center-hinged hood. Once opened though, and using a powerful penlight, you’ll see a wired and very well detailed replica of the 356 c.i. L-head straight eight motor, a huge leap forward from the engines found in early Signature models and arguably their best effort yet in this area.

I’ll certainly keep Signature’s first Darrin, though it does looks a little frumpy next to this new beauty. A few drawbacks will probably keep it from being considered by those who only collect “precision” models (their loss…). These include a plain grill (easily remedied with a quick blackwash), a lack of doorsills and indifferent demarcation of the rear fender skirts. What keeps this from receiving the unqualified welcome it deserves remains the price. Signature’s “Charlestown Collectibles” models are simply too expensive compared to other manufacturers’ offerings in the $50 - $70 price range. About all that differentiates them from the $30 - $40 models in Signature’s regular product line are an oversize display base and a lovely bronze-finish medallion with the Packard crest. There’s no special packaging, accompanying literature or exceptional additional content in the models themselves to justify the added expense. But it’s a lot easier to swallow when the results are this compelling.

NOW we have our 1:18 Packard Darrin! And despite minor reservations it’s guaranteed to fill an important gap for admirers of this great marque and add sparkle to our American classics collections in general. While the 1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow remains Signature’s masterpiece, this new Packard Darrin is unquestionably their most beautiful model yet. So if their last Darrin left you a bit underwhelmed and you’re not too put off by the price, shell out a few extra bucks and add this lovely image to your display case…you won’t be sorry.