Packard Six Runabout 1927 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Six Runabout 1927

In 1921, Packard introduced the Single Six, a smaller, less expensive alternative to the big V-12 Twin Six. Packard refined the Single Six and lowered its price over the next few years. The Second Series, introduced in December 1923, had four-wheel brakes and claimed 20-mpg economy. It handily outsold the new Single Eight introduced at the same time, the thousand-dollar price advantage no doubt a factor in its popularity. The Third Series six, introduced in February 1925, did even better, accounting for more than three-quarters of Packard sales.

Packard Six Runabout 1927

The Fourth Series six-cylinder Packard, now called simply “Six,” was introduced in August 1926. The engine benefited from a new “Turbo-Head” with redesigned combustion chambers that boosted horsepower to 81. New aluminum pistons and a redesigned intake manifold contributed to the improved performance. They were also the first production automobile with a hypoid differential, which allowed for a lower ride height. The Six was really hitting its stride, outselling Eights four to one and resulting in a four-month waiting list.
One of some ten known to survive, this 1927 Packard 426 Runabout, as the company then called its roadster, is finished in the same paint scheme that Packard featured in its sales literature for open cars in 1927. It was delivered new in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and remained in that area for 70 years prior to acquisition by the current owner in 1997.

Packard Six Runabout 1927

Though it had been the recipient of a cosmetic restoration during the 1960s, the current owner undertook a full restoration that took eight-and-a-half years, with work done in three states. The mechanical restoration was done by Robert Turnquist’s Hibernia Restoration in New Jersey, while paint and bodywork were done by Steve Carney, also in New Jersey. The interior and top were done by Gary Maucher in Pennsylvania, and final assembly was done by Steve’s Executive Cars in Tavares (now Homosassa), Florida. Final delivery was in December 2005.
The quality of the restoration is apparent from the long list of awards the car has received. Its AACA First Junior came at Mobile, Alabama, in March 2006, followed by Senior at Virginia Beach in May, AACA National at Philadelphia in February 2007, and Grand National at Hickory Corners, Michigan, that July. It received the Grand National Senior prize at Melbourne, Florida, in March 2008.

Packard Six Runabout 1927

Packard Sixes from 1925 to 1928 are recognized by the Classic Car Club of America as “Full Classics,” eligible for all CCCA meets and CARavans. This one received its CCCA Primary award at Mt. Olive, New Jersey, in April 2006, followed by Senior designation at Dearborn, with a 100-point pin, in July 2006. Premier designation, medallion 2723SP, was granted at Amelia Island in March 2007. The car has also scored first place at the national meet of Packard Automobile Classics in Michigan in July 2006, as well as taken honors at a number of local shows. Additionally, the Packard was awarded the Joseph Parking Award by the AACA for Outstanding Packard in its division.

Packard Super Eight Sedanca deVille by Barker 1938 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Super Eight Sedanca deVille by Barker 1938

THE HATCH PACKARD

Once a year in the late 1930s and early 1940s, the heady days before the war, a sleek one-of-a-kind formal Packard traveled down the two-lane highways of the East Coast, descending from north to south. At the wheel was a liveried chauffeur, Walter Bibby, who wore his impeccable black uniform from the time the car left the gates of 38 Roxborough Drive, Toronto, until reaching his employer’s winter home in Palm Beach, Florida. He would then change into more appropriate livery for the Florida coast—cream linen—and collect his employers at the rail station. Harry C. Hatch and family had arrived in Palm Beach flush with the wealth that had come from leading the Hiram Walker distillery through Prohibition. Vacation could now commence.

Packard Super Eight Sedanca deVille by Barker 1938

A passionate breeder of racehorses, Mr. Hatch was not necessarily a “car guy” but was most certainly a connoisseur, whose good taste showed in his selection of a “senior” Packard, the 139-inch-wheelbase 1605 Super Eight. He had the chassis shipped for coachwork to London coachbuilders Barker, the favorite of royalty, which built a formal Sedanca deVille with the “razor edge” roofline and “turtledeck” rear-end styling distinctive of their Rolls-Royce designs. In fact, aside from the typical Packard grille and fenders, it would have been easy to mistake the Hatch Packard for a Rolls!

Packard Super Eight Sedanca deVille by Barker 1938

As Hatch’s son Clifford recalled later, his father had business in England, including importing Scotch, which likely resulted in a visit to Barker during one of his overseas trips. Barker’s original sketch of what is believed to be this car, but without side-mounted spares, appears on page 204 of Hugo Pfau’s The Coach-Built Packard.
The car was apparently sold by the Hatches around World War II and, in 1961, was sold by a Toronto dealer to longtime enthusiasts George and Sheila Van Nostrand, of Keswick, Ontario, who kept it for several years in good original condition. It was purchased by Ed Suddarth in 1986 after several documented intervening owners, and he completed its restoration and displayed the car at the 1989 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, winning a class award.

Packard Super Eight Sedanca deVille by Barker 1938

The Packard was acquired in 1990 by Richard Livoni, of Long Beach, California, who continued to show it for many years, achieving CCCA Senior number 1761 with 99 points in 1993 and numerous First Place and Best in Class awards at West Coast concours d’elegance. In Mr. Livoni’s care, the car appeared in an article by Dennis Adler in the May 1993 issue of Car Collector, as well as in Dennis Adler’s books Packard and Speed and Luxury: The Great Cars.
The present owner, a respected American collector, purchased the Packard in the late 1990s and has maintained it to an extremely high standard ever since while amassing a collection of fascinating documentation, interviews with Hatch family members, and copies of articles featuring the car, which accompany it today. It has continued to return to Pebble Beach on occasion, most recently in 2009, and is as striking today as when Mr. Hatch’s chauffeur first drove it in Toronto. The correct black paint is rich and lustrous, while the interior is swathed with Connolly leather for the driver and soft broadcloth for the passengers. The rear compartment boasts twin lighted vanities, an intercom, a unique power-operated rear window shade, and—but of course—a built-in bar.

Packard Eight Phaeton 1932 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Eight Phaeton 1932

Among the most desirable of the Ninth Series (1932) Packards is the four-passenger phaeton. The “Standard” Eight offered here from the Howard and Norma Weaver Collection notably retains its original vehicle number plate on the firewall, indicating that it is an original-bodied example that left the Packard factory as a phaeton in 1932. In a year when the Great Depression was rough on Packard sales, the car was not sold until May 19, 1933, when it found a new owner via Earle C. Anthony’s famous dealership in Los Angeles.
The car is believed to have remained in California for many years, and in the 1980s, it was owned by enthusiast Bob Gould. It was later acquired by the renowned Packard collector Ralph Marano of New Jersey and then passed into the hands of the late Jim Miller, an enthusiast from Ontario known for his keen eye for the finest original cars. Mr. Weaver purchased the Packard from Mr. Miller in 1999, and it has remained a favorite in the collection ever since. Its badge number 2155 identifies it as a CCCA National Senior Award winner, and the car was reportedly featured in the Michigan region CCCA magazine Torque.

Packard Eight Phaeton 1932

The Packard is an outstanding older restoration, remains in excellent condition, and shows that it has been well cared for throughout its life. For instance, its body structure appears to be largely original, with mostly original wood and body hardware throughout, and the metalwork shows no sign of damage. The paint, in two shades of grey and black, is even and well preserved, and the black leather interior remains in fine condition, as does the Haartz cloth top.
The car is well equipped with numerous factory accessories, including the Goddess of Speed radiator mascot, a clock, dual side-mounted spare tires, chrome-spoke wire wheels, dual spot lights, and a rear-mounted trunk rack.

Packard Convertible 1954 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Convertible 1954

Packard’s 1954 model year was the last for the John Reinhart-designed “high pockets” styling first introduced in 1951. It featured a larger and improved grille with a more imposing appearance, and each of the company’s Senior models was given its own unique name and powered by the nine-main-bearing L-head eight-cylinder engine, a silky-smooth mill previously used in limousines. Among these offerings was the Packard Convertible, which featured distinctive chrome side trim and logos. It sold only about 863 copies; very few of those are known to survive today.

Packard Convertible 1954

The current owner of this convertible notes that he believes the car originally came from a southern state or California, as it is absolutely rust free. It was eventually restored in its present hue of Chariot Red and for many years was the property of a husband and wife from Brampton, Ontario, who were active Packard Club members. The owner had pursued the car for some years and, following the wife’s passing, was able to acquire it for his collection.
During his tenure, the car was fitted with a fresh new black-and-red leather interior, contrasting to the red finish and black top. It has continued to be a handsome and reliable car for cruising, with power steering and brakes making it easy to drive around town. An AM radio and heater provide ample entertainment and comfort.

Packard Deluxe Eight Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1929 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Deluxe Eight Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1929

The sumptuous Dietrich-bodied Packard Deluxe Eight Sport Phaeton presented here, vehicle number 169959, boasts engine, frame, and steering gear numbers that are relatively close together, indicating that they are the original units to this car. Similarly, the chassis shows no evidence of modification, indicating that this is an original 645 Deluxe Eight rather than the slightly shorter and more numerous 640, many of which have been “lengthened” into the more desirable model over the years.
Known ownership of the car includes Ken Breathauer, who restored it to beautiful original condition in the late 1980s and displayed it in the Primary Division at the CCCA Washington Grand Classic in 1987, winning its Primary First. Subsequently, the car was sold via Tom Crook to well-known and respected Packard collector Edgar Masters, who continued to show it extensively. After spending time in a prominent Midwestern collection, it was acquired by Richard and Linda Kughn, who spent time cosmetically detailing the restoration and sorting it mechanically. Afterward, the car was returned to CCCA judging, scoring an impressive 98.25 points in the Senior division in 2010 and a perfect 100 points in 2011, both at Michigan Grand Classics, and achieving Senior Premier status—not bad for a restoration by then over two decades old!

Packard Deluxe Eight Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1929

That is a testament to the quality of the work performed on this Packard, which today shows only slight age and wear throughout and still presents beautifully enough that Mr. Kughn displayed it to much acclaim at the CCCA Annual Meeting in Novi, Michigan, just this January! The body shows attractively in its spectacular two-tone red color scheme, a favorite on this style, with a lush and well-kept leather interior. Informed buyers will note the correct wooden accents and courtesy lights in the rear compartment, as well as correct tonneau hardware and other trim.

Packard Deluxe Eight Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1929

Numerous correct accessories are present as well, including wind wings, a radiator stone guard, Pilot Ray driving lights, covered dual side-mounted spares with mirrors, and Packard’s “Daphne at the well” radiator mascot (a.k.a. “the sliding boy”).
This is among the most desirable of open Packards of the Classic Era and arguably among the company’s most iconic designs. Understandably, survivors are prized by their owners and prove difficult to acquire.

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1933 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1933

By the time of the introduction of 1933’s 10th Series, Packard remained the choice of American aristocracy yet was beginning to incorporate welcome hints of flash and dash into their lines. The year’s models incorporated classically swept fender lines, but now the fenders were skirted, neatly hiding the mechanical components beneath. A graceful vee’d radiator shell hinted at the power flexed by the top-of-the-line V-12, now in its second season, built on a new tapered frame, and featuring such mechanical refinements as a single dry-plate clutch and automatic choke.

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1933

The Dietrich-designed convertible Victoria presented here is identified by its original data tag, which is still present, as being vehicle number 647-25, or the 15th built in this style on the 142-inch-wheelbase 1005 chassis. According to research by a previous owner, it is one of four known authentic survivors. Examination of the mechanical components—engine, chassis, axle, and steering box—show that they are numbered relatively near to one another, in typical Packard fashion, and therefore are all the original components to this car.
The car was delivered new by Packard Motor Car Company of New York in the Bronx on August 12, 1933. According to information on file, it was sold by its original owner in 1946 to Thomas Lester, the successful Ohio businessman known as the founder of the Lester Tire Company and an early enthusiast. Mr. Lester retained ownership of this car for 22 years before selling it to another well-known collector of the time, Benny Goldflies, who continued the tradition of longtime ownership. Eighteen years passed before he, too, sold the beloved Packard, which was purchased by Newt Withers of California.

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1933

In Mr. Withers’ 25-year ownership, the Packard received a complete restoration by the renowned Joe Cruces, partial records for which are included in the file, including research in original Packard materials, colors, and equipment. Chrome work was performed by Jerry Hjeltness’s shop in California. The grand Packard was shown following the restoration, being invited into the Packards International Circle of Champions in 2010 and being shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2011. Subsequently, it joined the collection of its current owner, believed to be just the fifth since new, and was freshened with the installation of a new black top and blackwall tires.

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1933

The Twelve continues to present absolutely beautifully, in its rich black hue with a complementary scarlet interior. The upholstery and wood-grain trim are immaculate, and the paint is show-quality in its rich, deep shine. In a recent road test by a specialist, he noted that the Packard accelerated beautifully up to 70 mph, the fastest that he was willing to take it, even though “it felt like it could keep going to 100!” An extremely good-driving car that is, needless to say, in excellent mechanical condition, it is described as running cool in virtually all temperatures, and it would be as delightful on the road as at the numerous concours d’elegance to which it will likely be invited.

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1936 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1936

Like other American luxury car manufacturers, Packard responded to Cadillac’s 12- and 16-cylinder volleys with more cylinders of its own: in this case, a 445.5–cubic inch, 160-horsepower V-12. Upon its introduction in 1932, it was known as the Twin Six, but given the refinements and advancements over the late ’Teens Packard model of the same name—specifically, double the horsepower—it was renamed the Twelve from 1933 until its discontinuation in late 1939. It underwent continuous improvement and evolution over those years, with the 1935 model year bringing aluminum heads and a longer stroke, boosting its displacement to 473 cubic inches and its horsepower to 175, putting 100 mph firmly within reach.

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1936

Most desirable of the Twelves is the two-passenger coupe roadster, or convertible coupe, of which the 14th Series (1936) model offered here is a fine example. The vehicle number plate on the firewall identifies it as car number 201, which would make it the first 12-cylinder coupe roadster built for the 14th Series; while the present plate is a reproduction, according to Packard historian Charles Blackman, the engine number is sufficiently early enough to make this the first coupe roadster built. Dr. Blackman further notes the car’s two most distinctive external features, a chromed radiator shell and an original rear-mounted spare, both indicate it may have been a Packard Factory show car.
The Twelve’s history has been traced back to 1972, when it was owned by Richard Utecht of Omaha, Nebraska. When Utecht advertised it for sale in the October 1977 issue of the CCCA Bulletin, he noted it as “believed to be the first 1936 V12 roadster-convertible built by Packard for the 1936 Detroit and New York Auto Shows.” In 1977, it was purchased from Tom Crook by John Hamilton of Corona Del Mar, California. In 1987, Mr. Hamilton had the car restored, with cosmetic work by Autobahn Auto Body of Costa Mesa and mechanical restoration by the famous Packard Twelve guru Charlie Last. In a recent telephone conversation with RM Sotheby’s, Mr. Hamilton reported that the Packard was an excellent car and was fun to drive. In 1997, the car was purchased for its present owner’s collection, where it remains today.

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1939 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1939

For Packard, 1939 was a year of transition and a year to celebrate success. It was the company’s 40th anniversary in business, and Packard had become the most respected automotive manufacturer in the world. For its top-of-the-line V-12 models, now in their final season, only a few visual changes were undertaken, in addition to the newly optional column-shifted manual transmission. All Twelves were built strictly on a per-order basis, with each being virtually custom-made to the specifications of the original owner.
The convertible Victoria presented here is believed to have been one of a handful built as part of 1939’s 17th Series. The vehicle number plate on the firewall is a reproduction, stamped with what is believed to be this car’s original engine number. The presently fitted engine, which has been with the car for its entire known history, is a virtually identical 1938 unit.

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1939

The car was previously owned by John and Koko Carlson, longtime CCCA members from Port Moody, British Columbia, in whose ownership it was featured in Beverly Rae Kimes's 1990 book, "The Classic Car." Kimes noted, "With its high rear-end gear ratio, the Carlsons' Twelve is capable of better than 100 mph, which John documented in July of 1986."
Subsequently, the Twelve was purchased by Packard collector John Hamilton, from whom the current caretaker purchased it for his own illustrious stable in January 2007. It has since undergone a complete restoration, with invoices on file for over $229,000 of work performed between 2010 and 2013. The majority of the mechanical work and bodywork was completed by Netcong Auto Restoration of Netcong, New Jersey, with finishing work by Prueitt Automotive Restoration of Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. Steve Littin’s well-known Vintage & Auto Rebuilds of Chardon, Ohio, was responsible for the beautiful interior, while the chrome was re-plated by Brightworks.

Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria 1939

Still appearing freshly finished in all regards, with its deep and rich Packard Blue finish, this Twelve is certainly among the most nicely finished examples of its kind.

Packard Twin Six Coupe Roadster 1932 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Twin Six Coupe Roadster 1932

More than just “The King of Hollywood,” Clark Gable was a passionate motorhead who in the 1930s occupied the same position in California socialite automotive circles that Steve McQueen would hold three decades later. Like McQueen, Gable owned the best that money could buy and also enjoyed working on the cars himself. His preference before the war was clearly for the top-of-the-line offerings by Packard, with the occasional distractions by Duesenberg.
Vehicle number 579-64 was the 54th Twin Six coupe roadster built during 1932’s Ninth Series, the first year of the second-generation Packard V-12, and may well have been the last example of this body style made. Originally dispatched to Los Angeles, it was sold new on November 14, 1932, by the famous distributor there, Earle C. Anthony, Inc., long the largest-volume dealer of new Packards in the world, with Mr. Gable believed to be the original owner.

Packard Twin Six Coupe Roadster 1932

Gable was photographed in the early 1930s with his Twin Six Coupe Roadster, which had been accessorized with wheel discs, Pilot-Ray driving lights (made in Los Angeles), and a rear-mounted trunk, all of which are present in the famous publicity photograph. It is believed that Gable sold the car in 1934 to make way for a new 1106 Twelve Runabout Speedster, which would receive similar Bohman & Schwartz touches.
This car’s known ownership history picks up with another Los Angeles owner, C. Jewell. By 1949, it was owned by D.H. Korntved of Cambria, California, later making its way to the town of Greenfield, where, in the late 1950s, it was discovered in a local backyard by renowned enthusiast Jack Passey. After tracking down the owner, Mr. Passey paid $75 for the Packard and towed it home, becoming its first enthusiast owner, at a time when the Passey stable was one of the largest and finest on the West Coast, known for its vast collection of superb unrestored original cars.

Packard Twin Six Coupe Roadster 1932

In the early 1960s, the Twin Six was bought from Mr. Passey by early West Coast Packard V-12 enthusiast George Petrusich, who owned it several years before selling it to C.A. Leslie Jr. of Oklahoma City. The foremost expert of his time on this model, Mr. Leslie kept extensive records, as well as his own collection of Twin Sixes and their associated parts, with which he aided numerous fellow owners over the years through articles in magazines and books. The coupe roadster was the pride of his collection for most of the rest of his life.

Packard Twin Six Coupe Roadster 1932

In 1989, the car was acquired from Mrs. Leslie by Don Wohlwend of Camano Island, Washington, a longtime CCCA member and active restorer and enthusiast. Mr. Wohlwend kept the car for eight years before passing it to its next notable owner, the late Tom Moretti. One of the most respected of modern Packard connoisseurs, Mr. Moretti was noteworthy in many ways. He collected only the best of the best, selecting solid original cars with good, well-known histories, and proceeded to restore them himself in a fully equipped home shop, with painstaking attention to accuracy and detail. A Moretti Packard was, in its finished form, authentic, well researched, and second to none. In his lifetime, Mr. Moretti restored seven Packard Twelves. All of them won Best in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance—an unprecedented and virtually unmatched achievement by a private owner-restorer.

Packard Twin Six Coupe Roadster 1932

Most special of all, this Twin Six not only won its class at Pebble Beach in 2009 but also matched the honor the following year at Amelia Island and Meadow Brook, making it a rare winner of the “triple crown” of great American concours d’elegance. It was also awarded its First Primary award, with a perfect score of 100 points its first time out, in CCCA judging, and it was Best of Show at the 2010 CCCA Museum Experience at Hickory Corners. The judges had spoken, and clearly: this was one of the best Packards in the world.

Packard Model 30 (series U) - World Of Classic Cars - Rank 197

Packard Model 30 7-Passenger Touring 1908

The Packard Model 30 frequently also called Model U, was a four-cylinder car built in several series from 1907-1912. Together with the smaller Model 18 (1908-1912), it was Packard's last four-cylinder automobile. Model 30 was Packard's lone offering for 1907 and 1908. It established Packard as a luxury car maker.

Model history

The Packard Model 30 was a four-cylinder car with both closed and open bodies. Prices at introduction started with $4200 for open models and went up to $5500 for the limousine and $5600 for the landaulet. A 1911 Four-door Landaulet cost $5,750. Standard equipment included oil lamps, a tool kit, and two extra demountable rims. The closed cars also included speaking tubes, adjustable ventilators, and a dome light that had a separate battery. There was a speedometer and an air-pressure gauge. Wheelbase was 123 1/2" for the standard chassis.

Engine and drivetrain

Packard Model 30UC Open-Drive Limousine 1910

The Packard Model 30 had a water-cooled, four-cylinder, T-head engine delivering 30 hp (NACC) at 650 rpm. displacing 431.9 cubic inches (7078 cubic centimeters) with a bore 5 in (127 mm) and a stroke of 5.5 in (139.7 mm).
A plate clutch was blocked with the engine. Power was transmitted by a long shaft with universal joints to the three-speed sliding-gear manual gearbox with reverse. This was located in a housing at the rear axle which also contained the differential. The car used shaft drive from the beginning, although many other high-powered cars at this time relied on double-chain drive.

Packard Model UEFR '30' Limousine 1911

In 1909, redesigned linkage in the transmission made it possible for the reverse gear to be activated with the regular gear-shift. Since 1904, all Packards had had a separate lever for the reverse gear.

Chassis

The ladder-type frame used semielliptical leaf springs front and rear. Steering included now ball bearings instead of roller types, and featured a Pitman arm in front of the front axle.
Brakes were mechanical on the rear wheels only, working either by pedal (external contracting) or lever (internal expanding). Following the owner's manual, either was sufficient for stopping under normal conditions.

Packard Super Eight Convertible Victoria 1937 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Super Eight Convertible Victoria 1937

The grand American Full Classics of the 1930s have always been extraordinarily rare in Europe, where domestic beauties always ruled the road. The exception was Packard, who enjoyed a flourishing export business for much of its history and whose automobiles continue to be well-respected on the Continent to this day.
The 1937 Super Eight Convertible Victoria shown here is the 103rd built in this style and, importantly, is wonderfully authentic, including its original vehicle number plate on the firewall, which assures that it was originally sold with this desirable open coachwork. It was sold new on June 15, 1937, by the Packard dealer in the suburban

Packard Super Eight Convertible Victoria 1937

New York town of Haverstraw. By 1946, however, it had already made its way across the Atlantic to Genoa, Italy, where it was used by the American Vice-Consul there, Leonard G. Bradford, a native of Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1964, the car was acquired from Mr Bradford by its present owner’s father, early enthusiast and rally driver Michel Grosgogeat. It has remained with their family for the last 52 years. It was repainted many years ago in the present elegant green and was fitted with a new top around the same time period. The interior is wonderfully original and “broken-in”, and the car is equipped with wonderful accessories throughout, including European yellow-lensed driving lights, as well as dual side-mounted spare tires with metal covers and mirrors.

Packard Deluxe Eight Individual Custom Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1932 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Deluxe Eight Individual Custom Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1932

One of the strategies quickly employed by Packard to deal with the Great Depression was to consolidate as much as possible of its body construction and trimmings in its own facilities, filling the space that was becoming under-used as production dropped. One custom coachbuilding relationship that was preserved as long as possible, however, was that with Murray Corporation’s affiliate, Dietrich Inc.
Raymond Dietrich’s reputation was beyond compare among stylists of the late 1920s and early 1930s, and his designs were important sources of fresh ideas and concepts for Packard’s own coachwork. That Dietrich had been forced out of his namesake firm by early 1932 was no matter, as his talent had manifested into the many custom and semi-custom bodies that continued to bear the Dietrich name and to grace Packards for decades to come.

Packard Deluxe Eight Individual Custom Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1932

In particular, the Individual Custom by Dietrich bodies, which were tailored for the most expensive senior Packard chassis in 1932, 1933, and 1934, still bore the master’s touch in their subtle detail and handsome balance. They were hugely expensive—the most expensive Packards one could buy through a Packard dealer—but they were essentially custom coachbuilt cars, with each crafted in the colors and trim chosen by its original owner. In many ways, they were the last true “custom Dietrichs,” as opposed to later production Packard bodies that simply wore the Dietrich name and borrowed some of his styling cues from the earlier Individual Customs.

Packard Deluxe Eight Individual Custom Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1932

The car presented here, chassis number 193614, is one of what historians believe to be only a dozen Dietrich Individual Custom Sport Phaetons built between 1932 and 1933, as the style was not offered on the 1934 Eleventh Series chassis. In addition to its superb proportions and delicate features, the outstanding feature of this particular design was a rear windshield with two beautiful arched wind wings, which can be affixed to the doors and swing in and out when the door is opened, via a hidden track. For storage, the wings can be easily detached from the doors and fold down with the whole windshield assembly. When stowed, the track is concealed underneath a sprung chrome latch, so the top of the door looks sharp and complete. This is just one example of the design talent employed by Dietrich Inc.

Packard Deluxe Eight Individual Custom Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1932

Of the twelve Sport Phaetons built, only seven are known to remain, with two being built on the 1933 Deluxe Eight chassis, two on the 1932 Twin Six chassis, and three on the 1933 Twelve chassis. All of the survivors are held in long-term private collections and have only rarely emerged for sale over the past several decades.
As the old line goes, this particular car has quite a tale to tell, if only one knew what it was. In the 1970s, it was purchased by the late, renowned enthusiast and publisher of the Los Angeles Times, Otis Chandler, from its home in a hangar at the Santa Monica airport. Apparently, the car had been put away in the hangar many years earlier after having been turned into a ditch by its owner. The damage was relatively light, limited to the driver’s side cowl, door, and windshield post, and it was certainly not to dissuade Mr. Chandler from restoring what he knew to be a rare treasure.

Packard Deluxe Eight Individual Custom Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1932

Before restoration could be completed, Mr. Chandler moved away from his original collection of classics and into muscle cars, and the disassembled Packard was sold to Ralph Englestad, of the Imperial Palace. Mr. Englestad commissioned Scott Veazie to perform the restoration, which took place in earnest in the late 1980s and early 1990s. According to Mr. Veazie, his shop fully restored the car’s rolling chassis and braking system, repaired the bodywork and restored it to original condition, and applied the paint. Bob Mosier, still active as a well-known restorer in California, rebuilt the engine and transmission.

Packard Deluxe Eight Individual Custom Sport Phaeton by Dietrich 1932

The product of the restoration remains magnificent, with the Individual Custom body finished in Packard Blue and the car featuring dark blue leather upholstery, a tan cloth top, and light grey carpeting. As would be expected from a senior Packard of this era, it is replete with original accessories and options, including chrome wire wheels shod in wide whitewalls, dual side-mounted spares wrapped in polished metal enclosures, a trunk rack, and dual Pilot-Ray driving lights.
When Mr. Englestad’s health necessitated the sale of the Imperial Palace’s vast car collection in 1998, the restored and concours-ready Packard joined the extraordinary collection of General William Lyon's in Southern California. It was maintained to the highest of standards by General Lyon’s curators during an 11-year period in the famous stable, which is a tradition that has been upheld by the current collector, a well-known and passionate enthusiast and Pebble Beach Concours prize winner in his own right.

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1933 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1933

The accent on youth was what Packard had in spades in 1933. Yes, the grand automaker was still the choice of American aristocracy, but increasingly, a welcome hint of flash and dash began to find its way into the line. This year’s Tenth Series incorporated classically swept fender lines, but now the fenders were skirted, neatly hiding the mechanical components beneath. A graceful vee’d radiator shell hinted at the power flexed by the top-of-the-line V-12, now in its second season and built on a new tapered frame, and it featured such mechanical refinements as a single dry-plate clutch and automatic choke.
The Twelve Coupe Roadster, built on the 139-inch wheelbase 1005 chassis, was not only youthful, it was downright sporty. It was based upon an earlier LeBaron design and featured trim lines, including a convertible top that would fold completely flat and flush with the body when lowered, hence the evocative “Roadster” name. It is believed that only some 50 examples were produced, beginning with vehicle number 10. The car shown here is number 42, and therefore, it was in all likelihood the 32nd Coupe Roadster built in 1933.

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1933

From Detroit, the new Coupe Roadster traveled across the United States to the largest-volume Packard salesroom in the world, Earle C. Anthony’s palatial dealership in Los Angeles. Anthony had a reputation as a “dealer to the stars,” and indeed, on June 28, 1933, he sold this Coupe Roadster to Paul Pendarvis.
Pendarvis was born in Oklahoma and had achieved considerable fame as a bandleader in Midwestern ballrooms, most prominently at the Congress Hotel in Chicago. He released several popular records, including his signature tune, “My Sweet Heart,” and, of course, “Accent on Youth,” before relocating back to the West Coast and buying his Packard in the mid-1930s. The car’s options included, appropriately enough, an optional Philco-designed Packard key-lock radio!

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1933

Pendarvis retained the Coupe Roadster until 1945, when he sold it to a fellow Californian, Lloyd Langworthy. Two years later, it was passed to Langworthy’s son, Robert, who transferred the title of the car back to his father after entering the military in the early 1950s, but he then took the car back in 1958. Indeed, Robert Langworthy would be this Packard’s longest-term owner, possessing it for some 40 years. He owned it long enough to appreciate it as a fine Classic in the CCCA sense, and in the mid-1970s, he had the car restored in its present brown and beige color combination. The freshly completed Packard was proudly flaunted at the 1976 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it won a class award.

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1933

Mr. Langworthy eventually sold the prized Packard to a well-known California collector and enthusiast, Larry Harvey, who in the early 1990s commissioned Mosier Restoration to completely rebuild the car mechanically. As part of the rebuild, the car was fitted with a high-speed rear end and the engine was rebuilt with a long-stroke crankshaft and other internal improvements, significantly improving the car’s performance and preparing it for the long-distance tours that Mr. Harvey enjoys.
It was undoubtedly the combination of its three-owner provenance, quality restoration, and mechanical fitness that attracted the Coupe Roadster’s fourth owner, legendary Packard enthusiast Thomas Moretti. The late Mr. Moretti restored six Packard Twelves from top to bottom, and each of them won Best in Class at Pebble Beach, which is an enviable and almost unbeatable record of success.

Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster 1933

It is noteworthy that Mr. Moretti purchased this particular Packard not to restore but to drive, indicating that his incredibly high standards were already met when he purchased the car. In his ownership, the Pendarvis Twelve would cover some 20,000 miles, which were racked up one 1,000-mile tour and CARavan at a time.
Yet, the Packard continued to also show well, even as the restoration entered its second decade. In CCCA competition with Mr. Moretti, it eventually garnered 99 points and Premier status. Most poignantly of all, it returned to the lawn at Pebble Beach in 1998.
This lovely Packard, acquired by its present owner from the Moretti Estate, has been maintained to the high standards of its previous caretakers. It is wonderfully redolent of Hollywood in the age of the Brown Derby and the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, venues that this Packard quite likely visited with its original owner at the wheel.

Packard Custom Eight Sport Phaeton 1930 - World Of Classic Cars -

Packard Custom Eight Sport Phaeton 1930

With new styling overseen by famed designer Ray Dietrich, the Seventh Series Packard models debuted on August 29, 1929, sporting lower, sleeker lines and the beautifully flowing front fenders so emblematic of the Classic Era. New headlamps and the repositioning of the lights from the cowl to the front fenders were other notable stylistic changes. Even though a wide range of custom bodies were available from the finest coachbuilders of the time, most Packards were production cars, and they were well built, luxurious, smooth, and very quiet nonetheless. Even these were frighteningly expensive, selling for the price of a very nice house.

Packard Custom Eight Sport Phaeton 1930

Mechanically speaking, 1930 marked the first time Packard did not build its own carburetor, opting instead for an outsourced Detroit Lubricator updraft unit to feed its eight-cylinder engine. A new low gear was added to the three-speed gearbox to create a smooth-starting four-speed. Cooling was improved by a redesigned water pump with dual fan belts, and the slightly sloped grille was fitted with thermostatically controlled shutters. Five more lubrication points were added to the 1930 models, and Packard claimed that the standard Bijur lubricator dash control with its “Pull Daily” handle accomplished the work of “43 men with 43 oil cans.”

Packard Custom Eight Sport Phaeton 1930

Most desirable among the open Packard body styles available in the Seventh Series was the Style 441 dual-cowl sport phaeton, a classic four-passenger open model with a second windshield and cowl for rear seat passengers. In many ways, this dashing and well-proportioned style, which was so appropriate to country estates and summer homes, defined the 1930s Classic Era, which makes the ownership of this example so particularly appropriate.
This car is believed to have been originally delivered in Southern California, as it wears an original Earle C. Anthony service plate on its dashboard, and its long-time Golden State heritage continued, as it was formerly part of the renowned collection of Robert Gottlieb, a successful Los Angeles attorney and co-founder, with Robert Petersen, of Trend Inc. Mr. Gottlieb was a dyed-in-the-wool automobile enthusiast and early member of numerous car clubs, including the Classic Car Club of America. Today, he is best remembered as the long-time “Classic Comments” columnist for Motor Trend magazine and as one of the men who popularized the term “classic car.”

Packard Custom Eight Sport Phaeton 1930

Over the years, Mr. Gottlieb owned many spectacular Full Classics, this Packard among them, which he is known to have owned for at least 10 years. It has most recently been part of a highly regarded eastern U.S. collection.
The car was refinished some time ago, and it is currently finished in a striking combination of two-tone aquamarine and features a matching leather interior set off by beautifully varnished woodwork, polished chrome disc wheels, covered side-mounts with pedestal mirrors, dual Pilot Ray driving lights, wind wings, a radiator stone guard, a rear-mounted luggage rack with a period trunk, and Packard’s famous Goddess of Speed radiator mascot.

Packard Custom Eight Sport Phaeton 1930

A recent road test showed that the car ran, drove, and road well, with the steady solidness that one expects of a Packard. Inspection of the original engine and chassis numbers show that not only are they authentic 1930 components, but they are also the originals to this car. In addition, Packard historians regard this car as being a genuine, original dual-cowl Sport Phaeton.