Vehicle Spotlight | Packard Aquarius

1934 PACKARD “AQUARIUS”

“Aquarius” is an extension of Hetfield’s blending of 1930s French Art Deco and American aesthetics first developed in “The Black Pearl.” Referencing the design of European streamlined cars, “Aquarius” has billowing fenders and a pronounced rear fin, while the removable hard top and peaked, DuVall-style windshield simultaneously emulate the style of American hot rods of the 1950s. To accentuate the car’s aggressive look, pointed accents inspired by the hooked ends of a medieval battle axe were added to the grille, side exhaust pipes, and rear window trim.

BUILDER: RICK DORE KUSTOMS 

INTERIOR: DARK BLUE LEATHER BY RON MANGUS 

ENGINE: 376-CUBIC INCH LS3 CRATE V-8

COLLECTION OF THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM | GIFT OF THE HETFIELD FAMILY

INSPIRATION

FIGONI ET FALASCHI DELAHAYE 165

Though it includes American accents, “Aquarius” takes many of its styling cues from the 1939 Delahaye Type 165. Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1938, the Delahaye 165 was crafted by French coachbuilding firm Figoni et Falaschi. The car featured the firm’s signature billowing teardrop fenders. Along with its overall silhouette, the pointed trim and split front grille of the Delahaye 165 are mirrored in “Aquarius.