Vehicle No. 14522002
Engine No. CD501634A

As wartime production restrictions tightened in late 1941, American luxury automobiles became increasingly scarce. The era of custom coachbuilding was simultaneously drawing to a close, with even the most prestigious marques retiring their semi-custom offerings. Among the last luxury marques to maintain coachbuilt offerings, Packard continued to commission LeBaron through 1941. That final year, LeBaron produced the exclusive Sport Brougham on the 138-inch wheelbase Model 1907 chassis—a refined five-passenger variant representing one of their final Packard designs.

One of just 99 built in 1941, previous research indicates that this particular Sport Brougham boasts early ownership by Norwegian skating champion and actor Sonja Henie. A three-time Olympic champion who began a film and television career in Hollywood following the end of her professional skating career in 1936, Henie took delivery of the car in November 1940 through S.C. Anthony dealership in Los Angeles. Following Henie's stewardship, the car passed through a collector in Kansas before joining AACA member Francis Childs of Jupiter, Florida. Childs commissioned Harbor Auto Restoration of Rockledge, Florida to conduct a frame-off, multi-year restoration at a reported cost exceeding $250,000.

Following the completion of its exacting restoration in 2008, this rare custom-bodied Packard garnered significant accolades across premier concours events in the Sunshine State, including Best of Show honors at the Lake Mirror Classic in 2009 followed by a Second in Class award at the Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance in 2010. The Packard was also shown at the 2010 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, secured First Junior and Senior Awards at AACA National meets, and earned a 100-point score and a Primary Division win at the 2011 CCCA meeting in Palm Beach. Following a brief ownership stint in Colorado, the beautifully restored Packard made its way to the Academy of Art University Collection in 2013 showing approximately 100 miles since its completion.

Now offered with a mere 170 miles traveled since restoration, the Sport Brougham is presented in its period-correct blue livery with impeccably trimmed broadcloth upholstery, riding on body-color steel wheels with beautiful chrome hubcaps and BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewall tires. Other noteworthy details include its Art Deco simulated wood dashboard, Packard radio, heater, and spectacular ivory K-style steering wheel. The exceptional restoration and intriguing provenance of this rare “owner-driver” variant make it one of the finest surviving examples of LeBaron's final Packard design—a significant motorcar poised to continue its concours success under new ownership.